Everything You Need to Know About Flood Insurance in Missouri
Homeowners located in a Missouri high-risk flood zone must purchase flood insurance to qualify for a federally-backed mortgage.
Written by Caitlin McQuade
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
If you are a
Missouri
homeowner in a FEMA-dedicated high-risk flood zone, you must purchase flood insurance to qualify for a federally-backed mortgage loan.Missouri is no stranger to severe weather. Many areas of Missouri have experienced devastating flooding in the past, especially those close to the Mississippi River.
Flooding is an incredibly common symptom of natural disasters and can cause widespread damage to properties. What many homeowners don’t realize is that because of this, damage from flooding is not covered in most standard homeowners insurance policies.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), only 27% of homeowners have flood insurance. This is probably because many do not realize they have to buy a separate flood insurance policy to be covered.
Understanding how flood insurance works in your state can save you from future financial strife. That’s why
home and car insurance
app Jerry
has created this guide to navigating flood insurance as a Missouri homeowner.What is flood insurance?
Flood insurance is a type of property insurance that covers damage to belongings in the event of a flood.
If you want to recoup financial losses from a flood, you will have to purchase a flood insurance policy separate from your homeowners’ policy. Unfortunately, most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover floods as insurers consider flood damage too big of a risk to cover.
What does flood insurance cover?
There are two categories of flood insurance. Contents insurance covers personal belongings damaged in a flood such as electronics, clothes, and more. Building insurance covers structural damage to your property in the event of a flood.
It should be noted that flood insurance will not cover damage to every item in your home. For instance, it won’t cover sewer backups caused by large-scale flooding, or certain items such as swimming pools.
Here’s a more comprehensive look at what is and is not covered under a flood insurance policy:
Type of coverage | What it covers | What it doesn’t cover |
|---|---|---|
Building insurance | Plumbing and electrical systems
Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases
Water heaters and furnaces
Dishwashers, refrigerators, and other large appliances
Permanently installed carpets
Window blinds
Staircases
Foundational walls and anchorages
Fuel tanks, solar panels, and well tanks/pumps | Fences and landscaping
Swimming pools
Decks and patios |
Content insurance | Clothes
Furniture
Electronics
Curtains
Rugs and carpets
Washer and dryer
Air conditioning units
Miscellaneous valuables such as art up to $2500 | Currency
Valuable papers
Personal belongings stored in a basement |
Do you need flood insurance in Missouri?
Whether you need flood insurance in Missouri depends on where you are located. Those in FEMA-designated high-risk zones are required to purchase flood insurance.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides flood insurance to homeowners in high-risk flood areas through its
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
. Insurance policies through this program are sponsored by NFIP but come from private providers like Allstate
and Farmers
. To see if you qualify for NFIP-backed insurance check out this list
. Kansas City
is an especially high-risk area in Missouri, with 8% of properties in the area at risk of flood damage.Those who live in moderate-to-high flood risk areas may opt to purchase a private flood insurance policy. Purchasing flood insurance even if you are not located in a FEMA-dedicated high-risk zone is often a good idea, and may be required by your private lender.
What flood zones require flood insurance in Missouri?
To qualify for a federally-backed mortgage in Missouri, those living in a flood risk zone graded an A or V must purchase flood insurance.
Those in a flood zone graded B, C, D, or X are not required to purchase flood insurance, as their flood risk is lower.
Key takeaway Homeowners in a flood zone graded A or V must purchase flood insurance.
How much does flood insurance cost in Missouri?
The average cost of flood insurance in Missouri is $1,175 per year or $98 per month. This is significantly higher than the national average which is $739 per year. Because flooding in Missouri can be severe, insurance premiums are higher.
In October 2021, NFIP created a new pricing methodology called Risk Rating 2.0. Under this new pricing structure, 30% of current Missouri policies will decrease in price beginning April 1, 2022.
A policy provider will look at a few factors to determine the exact cost of your insurance. They will look at your area, the age of your property, the size and make of your house, and more. The federal coverage limit is $250,000 for building coverage and $10,000 for contents coverage.
How to save money on flood and auto insurance in Missouri
Here are a few tips for saving money on flood insurance in Missouri:
- Opt for a high-deductible plan
- Purchase a content-only policy
It’s important to remember that your car will not be covered in the event of a flood. To protect your car, you must purchase auto insurance.
Save an average of $887 a year on car insurance by using
Jerry
. Simply download the app, answer a few questions, and receive quotes from top insurance providers in your area. Once you make your pick, Jerry can even help you cancel your old policy.“Jerryhad a super simple app that was easy to navigate. And their terrific customer service made everything even easier. Plus I saved $700 in a single year.” —Lucia M.
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