Ohio Flood Insurance

Find the Best Flood Insurance Rates and Companies in Ohio

When winter’s snows begin to melt, and heavy spring rains hit the region, Ohio’s many bodies of water, particularly the Ohio and Miami Rivers, have a tendency to overflow their banks and cause flood damage throughout the state. Additionally, frequent heavy downpours over a short period can saturate the ground and overwhelm sewage and drainage systems, potentially causing flooding anywhere in the state. Unfortunately, standard homeowners insurance and business insurance won't cover natural flood damage.

Flood damage can be very expensive, but residents can protect themselves by purchasing an Ohio flood insurance policy. A local independent insurance agent in Ohio can help you find the right type of flood insurance for your property. Until then, here's a breakdown of Ohio flood insurance costs, coverage, and more.

The Best Flood Insurance Companies in Ohio

You can find flood insurance from many different carriers in Ohio. These are our top choices for the best coverage in the state:

• Nationwide: This insurance company sells flood insurance in addition to a large catalog of personal and business insurance products. Nationwide is known for affordable premium rates, 24/7 claims reporting, and excellent official ratings. 
• Foremost: This insurance company sells flood insurance, along with many other types of coverage. Foremost has outstanding official ratings and positive customer feedback, and provides 24/7 claims reporting.
• REInsure Pro: This insurance company sells flood insurance and many types of personal insurance products. REInsure Pro works with independent insurance agents and offers fast claims responses.
• Progressive: This insurance company sells flood insurance and several other personal and business insurance products. Progressive has an excellent financial strength rating from AM Best, offers many discounts, and provides 24/7/365 customer service.

An independent insurance agent can help you find the right policy from the best flood insurance carrier in Ohio. 

How to buy flood insurance in Ohio

You can buy Ohio flood insurance directly from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from private insurance companies that offer coverage in your town. A local independent insurance agent can help you find a policy that offers the right amount of flood insurance. They can shop and compare flood insurance quotes in Ohio from several different carriers for you. 

Is Flood Insurance Required in Ohio? 

In certain cases, yes. Ohio typically requires flood insurance for properties in high-risk flood zones. You might also be required to have coverage if you have a mortgage. Either way, having flood insurance can help you avoid potentially hefty out-of-pocket losses after many different flooding disasters. 

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What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Ohio?

Flood insurance in Ohio includes two types of coverage, one for the structure of your home itself and the other for the contents kept within. You have the option of purchasing one or both coverage types, depending on your coverage needs. Most homeowners opt to purchase coverage for both.

• Buildings coverage: This compensates you for damages to the structure of your home, including its foundation, plumbing, and electrical systems, built-in appliances, furnaces, and air conditioning units, and any permanently installed carpeting that has been laid over unfinished floors. If you are a landlord and do not live in the home you are insuring, you may want to purchase buildings coverage only.
• Contents coverage: This compensates you for loss or damage to the property you keep in your home, including clothing, furniture, window treatments, décor, electronics, window air-conditioners, portable appliances, carpeting, and flooring. If you live in a condo or are renting your home, you will need to purchase contents coverage only.

Your Ohio independent insurance agent can help you protect all aspects of your property with the right amount of flood insurance. 

What's Not Covered by Flood Insurance in Ohio? 

Since Ohio flood insurance doesn't protect vehicles against flood damage, be sure to add comprehensive coverage to your auto insurance policy. Further, flood insurance tends to exclude all of the following:

• Personal property kept in a basement
• Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of the insured property
• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates 
• Preventable damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold
• Additional living expenses, such as temporary housing
• Property and belongings outside of the insured building, such as walks, decks, patios, fences, trees, plants, wells, septic systems, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
• Flood damage caused by sewer line breaks or backups*

*To protect your home against sewer flooding damage, ask your Ohio independent insurance agent about adding a sewer backup endorsement to your home insurance. 

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost in Ohio?

Ohio flood insurance costs an average of $1,042 per year, or approximately $87 per month. So, how much is flood insurance in Ohio compared to the nation as a whole? The current national average flood insurance cost is $899 per year, or approximately $75 per month, meaning property owners in Ohio pay a bit more for their coverage. 

Local flood insurance rates are set by FEMA and the NFIP using the Ohio flood insurance rate map. Ohio flood insurance rates can also be determined by these factors:

• The value of your home’s contents 
• Your home's flood zone designation
• The type of coverage you purchased
• Whether or not your home has a basement
• The deductible and amount of coverage you need
• The location, design, building materials, and age of your home

Your independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable flood insurance coverage in Ohio.

Ohio Flood Zones

On FEMA's official website, you can access your Ohio flood risk assessment. Additionally, the following comprehensive and user-friendly documents are all available on FEMA's website:

• Ohio flood zone maps
• Columbus, Ohio, flood maps
• Ohio flood zone map PDFS
• Ohio flood plain maps

Your specific flood zone designation in Ohio can also impact your flood insurance costs. Your independent insurance agent can help you find cheap Ohio flood insurance. 

Ohio cities with the highest flood risk

Certain areas of the state are more prone to flooding events than others. If you own property in any of the following cities, flood insurance may actually be required:

1. Cincinnati
2. Columbus
3. Marietta
4. Steubenville
5. East Liverpool

Your independent insurance agent can help you find the required flood insurance in these areas of Ohio. 

How to Lower Flood Insurance Costs in Ohio

While you can't change or always predict the weather, you can anticipate the potential cost of property damage caused by flooding and prepare accordingly. Fortunately, there are a few easy ways you can reduce your Ohio flood insurance costs, such as by:

• Obtaining an elevation certificate: This document outlines the flood risk for your property, providing information such as your flood zone and the height of your lowest floor. Elevation certificates will no longer be required under FEMA’s new risk rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0. However, property owners can still submit one to lower their insurance costs. 
• Upgrading or retrofitting your home: Ensure your living spaces are elevated, and verify the base elevation rate for your area to determine the optimal height for your space. Having an appropriately elevated living space can help reduce your property's risk of flooding and lower your flood insurance premiums. 
• Elevating your home's utilities: Make sure your foundation has floodwater openings so water can be drained out immediately in the event of a flood. This not only better protects your home from flood damage, but it can also reduce your flood insurance premiums.
• Comparing quotes from the NFIP and private flood insurance companies: You may find private flood insurance is cheaper.
• Choosing a higher deductible: Higher deductibles can lower the cost of your flood insurance premiums. 

An independent insurance agent in Ohio can help you learn more about flood insurance savings, whether you’re purchasing NFIP flood insurance or private flood insurance. 

How to Apply for Flood Insurance in Ohio

Ohio flood insurance is available from the following avenues:

1. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
2. Private flood insurance companies in Ohio
3. Local Ohio independent insurance agents 

An independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the flood insurance you need for your unique property. 

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim in Ohio

Filing a flood insurance claim in Ohio requires just a few easy steps:

• Step 1: Contact your insurance company or agent: Be prepared with your insurance information, including your policy number, when you call your flood insurance company or independent insurance agent to report the disaster. 
• Step 2: Prepare evidence: Reenter your property once officials declare it's safe. Then, assess the property damage for yourself and prepare a detailed written report, along with photo and video evidence for your insurer. 
• Step 3: Work with your claims adjuster: Your insurance company will schedule a visit from a claims adjuster to perform a home inspection to assess the property damage in person. You might receive an estimate for your reimbursement during their evaluation. 
• Step 4: Get paid: And finally, you'll receive your claim payout. Either a direct deposit or a claims check will be sent to you with your payout. The amount you receive depends on your coverage terms and the extent of property damage. 

An Ohio independent insurance agent can file flood insurance claims directly through your carrier for you. They can also walk you through the whole process and provide ETAs for each step. 

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Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.

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FAQs About Ohio Flood Insurance