Oklahoma residents have a higher risk of flooding than FEMA maps show—20% of flood damage happens in low-risk areas, where residents are often uninsured against flooding.

You may not picture Oklahoma as a wet state in general, and you are right. The Cowboy State is the 10th least humid state in the country—but that doesn’t mean it is at low risk of flooding.

Oklahoma is situated in an area that is impacted by hurricanes and other severe storms that commonly cause flooding, and unfortunately, residents aren’t always prepared. Currently, only 2%-3% of Oklahomans have protected their homes against flooding.

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What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is a specific type of policy that covers your home and belongings in case they are damaged in a flood.

Many homeowners don’t realize that standard insurance policies do not cover damages caused by flooding until they have a claim denied. Because floods are one of the most common hazards in the country, insurers consider them too high of a risk to cover in a general policy.

What does flood insurance cover?

NFIP flood insurance generally covers up to $250,000 toward the structure of your home and $100,000 for your possessions. You will have a deductible that ranges from $500 to $10,000. The two types of coverage associated with flood insurance are building/structure coverage and contents coverage.

Appliances, furniture, carpet, electrical and heating systems, jewelry, and electronics are generally covered under a flood insurance policy.

However, flood insurance won’t cover every object in your home—or every type of flooding. Sewer backups not directly caused by large-scale flooding (i.e., two or more acres or multiple properties) won’t be covered. Similarly, money, cars or high-value products will not be covered.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of what’s included (and what isn’t) in each type of coverage:

Type of coverage	What’s covered	What is excluded
Building/Structure	Electrical and plumbing systems Water heaters and furnaces Large appliances like dishwashers Permanently installed fixtures like bookcases and paneling carpets and flooring that are permanently installed 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 Washer and dryer Portable air conditioners Rugs or carpets not included in building coverage Valuables such as artwork up to $2,500	Valuable papers Currency Anything stored in a basement

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MORE:

Does home insurance cover flooded basements?

Do you need flood insurance in Oklahoma?

If you live in a high-risk zone, your lender may require you to purchase a flood insurance policy. If you live in a low-risk zone, the choice is yours—and it can be tempting to forgo the $78 (or so) that flood coverage will cost in the Cowboy State. But before you make up your mind, here are some things to consider:

FEMA flood maps are often woefully out of date—for low-risk areas in OK, flood maps may be as much as 40 years old. With changing weather and the development of land, the flood maps are known to underestimate the number of homes at risk

20% of flooding in the United States occurs in areas that are considered low-risk on FEMA flood plain maps

In 2017, Hurricane Harvey caused flooding in Harris County, OK damaging over 135,000 homes—75% of which were in low to moderate risk areas

The average cost to repair a home after flood damage is $38,000—so it may be worth the $78 per month to make sure you are covered

How to escape from your car underwater

What flood zones require flood insurance in Oklahoma?

At the most basic level, there are two types of flood zones in Oklahoma. High-risk zones are called Special Flood Hazard Areas (SHFA) and include zones beginning with the letters A and V. Other zones, beginning with X, B, or C are considered low to moderate risk.

If your property is outside of the SHFA, you are not required to purchase flood insurance.

You can use FEMA’s

Flood Map Service Center

Flood Factor®

to see your home’s level of risk according to FEMA’s maps.

Key Takeaway: Significant numbers of homes damaged by flooding are situated in low to moderate risk areas. Just because flood insurance isn’t required doesn’t mean you should pass on it.

How much does flood insurance cost in Oklahoma

On average, Oklahoma residents should plan on paying about $937 per year on flood insurance. This is slightly lower than the national average.

The cost of flood insurance will vary based on the age, condition, and value of your home, and on the area in which it resides. If your property is in a low-risk area, you will pay significantly less for coverage.

Another factor in the cost of flood insurance is whether you purchase an NFIP backed policy or private flood insurance. To participate in the NFIP, communities are required to take actions that minimize the risk and damage of floods. In Oklahoma, there are

404 participating communities

MORE: Signs of a flood-damaged car

How to save money on flood and auto insurance in Oklahoma

One thing that you can do to lower your flood insurance premium is to choose a higher deductible. Oklahoma residents that choose the maximum deductible reduce their premium by about 40%.

But, remember that a higher deductible means that you are responsible for a bigger chunk of the cost when your home is damaged by a flood, so don’t select a deductible you won’t be able to pay.

Another great way to save money on home and car insurance is by getting to know

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