Flooding is Kentucky’s most frequent, dangerous, and costly disaster. While it seems there should be no question as to whether homeowners have flood insurance, the common misperception that flooding is covered under standard policies leaves many homeowners in trouble when a flood hits.

When it comes to flooding in Kentucky, residents should prepare for the inevitable by having additional insurance coverage, regardless of their risk zone or federal requirement. To answer all of your flood insurance-related questions, home and

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What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is a type of homeowners insurance that covers damages and losses to a property due to flooding.

While damages from other types of water damage, such as a burst pipe, are typically covered under a standard policy, damages sustained by flooding are not covered by standard homeowners insurance.

Those living in high-risk areas often need to buy separate flood coverage to protect their dwelling.

What does flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance can provide financial protection for both the structure of your home under building coverage and for any losses to your personal belongings with contents coverage.

Keep in mind that flood insurance cannot protect every item in your home, nor can it cover every type of flooding. When it comes to coverage, the cause of flooding matters, and your policy will only cover losses that were the direct result of a weather-related flood.

For the purposes of your policy, a flood is defined as an excess of water on land that is usually dry, affecting two or more acres or multiple properties.

For example, water damage from a sewer backup not directly caused by flooding would not be covered.

While cars, personal property left in basements, and additional living expenses incurred as the result of a flood are not covered, you can expect furnaces, electrical systems, jewelry, carpeting, clothing, and more to be protected.

Here’s a more detailed outline of what’s covered (and what isn’t) under each type of insurance:

Type of coverage	What it covers	What it doesn’t cover
Building	Electrical and plumbing systems Water heaters and furnaces Large appliances like dishwashers or refrigerators Permanently installed bookcases, cabinets, and paneling Permanently installed carpets Window blinds Foundational walls, staircases, and anchorages Detached garages Fuel tanks, solar panels, and well water tanks/pumps	Decks and patios Swimming pools Fences and landscaping
Contents	Clothing Furniture Electronic equipment Curtains Washing machine and dryer Portable air conditioners, including window units Carpets not included in building coverage Valuables such as artwork up to $2,500	Valuable papers Currency Anything stored in a basement

MORE: Does home insurance cover flooded basements?

Do you need flood insurance in Kentucky?

Federal law requires homeowners to have flood insurance if they have a federally backed mortgage and if their property is located in a high-risk flood area (Special Flood Hazard Areas or SFHAs).

While flood insurance in moderate-to-low risk areas is not federally required, a lender may still require it.

It’s important to recognize that every dwelling has some level of risk, regardless of the designated risk area. Historically, one-in-four flood claims have come from homeowners in moderate-to-low risk areas.

To provide financial protection to homeowners, Congress created the

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)

to offer insurance coverage in accordance with a property’s level of risk, as determined by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

Although the NFIP manages flood insurance, the actual policy will come from a private company like

Allstate

Farmers

However, living in a FEMA-designated high-risk area is not a requirement to purchase flood insurance, and if you do not live in an NFIP participating community, you can still purchase flood insurance directly through a private provider.

What flood zones require flood insurance in Kentucky?

Kentucky flood zones are identified by FEMA through the Risk MAP program and are indicated on flood maps called Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

Flooding zones are identified as high-, moderate-, or low-risk, with high-risk areas indicated on flood maps as A or AE zones. Properties with federally-backed mortgages in high risk zones are required to have flood insurance.

To find your zone’s level of risk, use FEMA’s

Flood Map Service Center

Flood Factor®

Key Takeaway If you live in a designated high-risk flood zone (starting with A or AE) and have a government mortgage, you must purchase flood insurance.

How much does flood insurance cost in Kentucky?

Through the NFIP, Kentucky premiums are higher than the national average of $958 per year, costing an average of $1109 annually.

Keep in mind that properties located in SFHAs will have higher insurance premiums than those located in low- to moderate-risk areas.

With the NFIP’s new Risk Rating 2.0 methodology, it is estimated that about 23% of flood insurance premiums nationwide will drop by April 2022. However, it is expected that 72% of Kentucky policies will rise by at least $10 a month.

MORE: How much water damage will total a car?

How to save money on flood and auto insurance in Kentucky

You can reduce the cost of flood insurance in Kentucky by:

Following FEMA’s

Opting for a higher deductible

Submitting an

elevation certificate

to your insurance agent

Opting for contents-only coverage

While purchasing additional coverage for flooding will protect your home, the coverage will not extend to vehicle protection. Make sure your ride’s protected in the event of a flood by shopping for auto insurance with the

Jerry

app. In less than a minute, insurance experts will find you competitive quotes from top insurance providers.

Protecting your belongings doesn’t have to be expensive. On average, Jerry users save $887 a year on car insurance!

“
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was helpful every step of the way. They saved me over $100 a month for insurance in Kentucky.” —Jim F.

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