Louisiana flood insurance: What homeowners should know

Do you need flood insurance in Louisiana?

If you own your home outright, you’re not legally required to have flood insurance in Louisiana. However, if you have a conventional mortgage, your financial lender will likely require you to carry a flood insurance policy (in addition to home insurance) if your house is in a Special Flood Hazard Area. These zones are designated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and indicate a higher likelihood of experiencing natural disasters.

Even if flood insurance isn’t a requirement for you, most insurance experts recommend that you have it — especially in a flood-prone state like Louisiana. The state comes in third behind Florida and Texas for total cost from billion-dollar disasters since 1980. Louisiana has endured about $314 billion in damages during this time, much of it the result of tropical storms and flooding. In 2024 alone, the state suffered over $1 billion in damage from severe storms and tropical cyclones.

Flood events in Louisiana

Louisiana's vulnerability to floods is well known, with several regions frequently experiencing this natural calamity. Baton Rouge, for example, faces regular floods due to its location along the Mississippi River. New Orleans is situated below sea level and surrounded by the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain, making it highly susceptible to flooding. Smaller towns like Lafitte, Morgan City and Cameron also regularly confront flooding issues due to their coastal locations and other environmental factors.

How much is flood insurance in Louisiana?

According to FEMA, the average cost of flood insurance in Louisiana is $955 per year, or about $80 per month. This is slightly higher than the national average of $926. However, the cost of flood insurance for your home will depend on several factors.

Flood zone

First, and perhaps most impactful, is your flood zone. Flood zones help determine how likely a flood is in your area. Areas with higher flood risk designations typically see higher premiums for flood insurance. The most dangerous zone type is Zone A. In these areas, homes have a 1 percent chance of flooding each year, and a 26 percent chance of flooding over the course of a 30-year mortgage.

Coverage type

Flood policies sold by the NFIP only have two coverage options: dwelling coverage (up to $250,000) and personal property coverage (up to $100,000). Dwelling coverage is the backbone of a flood insurance policy and covers the structure of your home, while personal property coverage (also called contents coverage) covers your belongings. A dwelling-only policy will probably be cheaper than buying both coverage types. As with any type of insurance, the more coverage you purchase, the more your policy is likely to cost.

Flood mitigation

Your premium is also based on any flood mitigation features that you may have. Certain home features can decrease the risk of water damage from floods, like waterproofing your foundation, installing drains, using flood resistant materials and having a wet flood-proofing plan that allows flood water to enter an enclosed area of your home. More extreme, elevating your home is also an option. These features may help lower the cost of your policy.

Carrier differences

Finally, it’s important to know that some private insurers offer their own flood insurance, outside of NFIP government-backed policies. So, when it comes to figuring out how much flood insurance will be in Louisiana, note that rates will vary between carriers. As such, comparing flood insurance quotes is a helpful shopping tactic.

How to purchase flood insurance in Louisiana

You may be able to purchase flood insurance through your current home insurance company. Some private home insurance providers partner with the NFIP to administer flood policies or work with a private flood insurance company to  facilitate this type of coverage. When your current homeowners insurance company offers flood coverage, it may be extended as an endorsement or rider. This is a type of coverage that adds more covered events to your standard plan. In other cases, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood policy.

Companies that offer private flood insurance in Louisiana include:

• Kin: Kin has flood insurance policies in LA, and you can get an online quote in just a few minutes.
• Allstate: If you already have home or auto coverage with Allstate, you may have an opportunity to bundle your coverage.
• Liberty Mutual: Another popular carrier, Liberty Mutual sells independent flood policies through a partner.

You can also use the floodsmart.gov site to find a local provider by choosing Louisiana as the state or territory in the search tool.

If you can’t get a policy through your home insurance provider, you’ll need to contact either the NFIP or a private flood company directly. Some homeowners may also want to explore surplus lines insurance in Louisiana. This type of insurance helps cover properties that are denied coverage from major carriers. The state of Louisiana warns that surplus lines insurers “do not participate in and their policies are not covered by the Louisiana Insurance Guaranty Association (LIGA),” so you’re not financially protected if the company becomes insolvent. However, this type of coverage may be a viable option if you live in a floodplain and struggle to find other flood insurance.

When to purchase flood insurance

Whether you purchase from the NFIP or a private insurance company, most flood insurance has a 30-day waiting period. This means your policy won’t go into effect until 30 days after you’ve purchased it. There are some exceptions to this rule, such as for a loan closing, and some private flood insurance companies may have shorter waiting periods.

Generally, you should give yourself plenty of time to shop for and buy a flood insurance policy. Most insurance carriers will not allow flood insurance to be purchased when a major storm is in the forecast. This pause in the sale of new policies is called a moratorium. If you know your home is at risk for flooding, consider getting a policy before any kind of damage is imminent.

Frequently asked questions