Everything You Need to Know About Flood Insurance in Nevada

Flood insurance is required for homeowners with federally-backed mortgages in high-risk flood zones as designated by FEMA.
Written by Elizabeth Sandberg
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
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In Nevada, if you live in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone—and these zones have been changing in recent years—you may be required to purchase separate flood insurance to comply with your mortgage lender’s coverage requirements. 
Conventional homeowners insurance policies do not include damage caused by flooding. Approximately 90% of all natural disasters in the US involve flooding, making it too risky for insurers to cover under a standard home insurance policy. 
Despite the devastation flooding can cause, only 27% of US homeowners purchase flood insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Many homeowners simply assume flooding is covered—which puts them at risk of having to pay thousands of dollars out of pocket if disaster strikes.
To help homeowners save the most money on insurance-related costs, the home and
auto insurance
comparison app
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has created your guide to flood insurance in Nevada, including how to know if this coverage is required or recommended in your area.
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What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is property insurance separate from home insurance that covers losses due to a natural disaster that causes flooding
While a standard insurance policy typically covers water damage caused by plumbing failures, your house and belongings are not protected by a standard policy if they are damaged in a flood. This is why purchasing a separate flood insurance policy is recommended to most (if not all) homeowners.

What does flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance consists of two types of coverage: building coverage, which refers to the structure itself, and contents coverage, which includes your personal possessions. 
Together, both coverages protect the house itself and property inside including appliances, flooring, furniture, electronics, jewelry or other valuables, and electrical and heating systems.
Flood insurance does not protect every object in your home or cover every source of flooding. For example, water damage not directly caused by large-scale flooding (which is defined as two or more acres or multiple properties) is not covered. 
Similarly, property such as cash, vehicles, and items kept in basements—along with temporary living arrangements needed as a result of a flood—are not covered under flood insurance. 
Here’s a more detailed breakdown of what’s covered (or not) 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 Nevada?

You may need flood insurance in the Sagebrush State, depending on your mortgage type and location.
No federal or state law dictates that all homeowners in the state must purchase flood insurance. Instead, you’ll likely be required to purchase separate flood insurance in addition to your standard homeowners policy if you have a federally-backed mortgage on a house in a high-risk flood zone
The Federal Emergency Management Agency, or FEMA, governs the
National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
, which provides flood insurance to homeowners based on their area’s assigned flood risk. 
Although you can get flood insurance through the NFIP, your policy will actually be underwritten by a private company, such as Allstate or
Farmers
.
If it turns out that your home or property is not in a designated high-risk area, you can still choose to purchase flood insurance—it never hurts to have the extra protection, especially since over 40% of claims filed to the NFIP come from areas outside of high-risk flood zones.
To date, a mere 0.8% of Nevada homeowners carry flood insurance. With the risk of flash flooding common in the state, most Nevada homeowners would benefit from the added protection of flood insurance.
To buy an NFIP-approved flood insurance policy, you must reside in one of Nevada’s participating communities (here’s a
helpful list
from FEMA). If you don’t see your hometown on this list, you can still purchase flood insurance through a private company such as Neptune or FloodSimple

What flood zones require flood insurance in Nevada?

Federal flood insurance purchasing requirements apply to Nevada homeowners whose property lies in a flood zone with a letter grade starting with A or V. These zones are defined as having a 26% chance of flooding within 30 years.  
If you live in a flood zone graded B, C, D, or X, flood insurance coverage isn’t required, but your flood risk isn’t nonexistent. You should consider purchasing flood insurance anyway.
If you don’t know your area’s risk level, you can use FEMA’s
Flood Map Service Center
or the tool provided by
Flood Factor®
Key Takeaway If you live in a high-risk flood zone (i.e., A or V) and have a government-backed mortgage, you will be required to carry flood insurance. 

How much does flood insurance cost in Nevada?

The national average cost for flood insurance is $739 per year, and Nevada’s average flood insurance premium is just slightly higher at $772 a year, which comes out to $64 a month
Fortunately, beginning April 2022, about 23% of flood insurance premiums nationwide will drop. A happy 21% of Nevada flood policyholders will see their rates decrease. 
Approximately 73% of Nevadans who carry flood insurance will see their premiums increase up to $10 a month. Another 3% will see increases between $11 and $20 more per month, and the remaining 3% of policies will increase by more than $20. 
The final cost of your flood insurance policy depends on multiple factors such as your location, the size, type, and age of the building or property you’re covering, and more. 
Note that NFIP coverage for residential customers tops out at $250,000 for building coverage and $100,000 for contents coverage. Your policy may have one of various deductible limits as well.
MORE: How much water damage will total a car?

How to save money on flood and auto insurance in Nevada

To reduce the cost of flood insurance premiums in Nevada, try one of these strategies
While homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flooding to your house, the right car insurance coverage will help pay for a flooded vehicle. If you’re in the market for a new or better car insurance policy, just use the free broker app
Jerry
Jerry partners with over 50 top insurance companies, which means you’ll have access to the best rates available in your area. If you ever have questions about the insurance shopping process, Jerry’s team of friendly and knowledgeable agents is only a text or call away. 
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blew my mind, honestly. From start to finish, using the app took me 10 minutes and I ended up with $100 of savings a month. Best of all, customer service answered all my questions about rental car reimbursement and roadside assistance.” —Savanna R.
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