revealed that only 27% of homeowners are protected with flood insurance. This may be due to the common misperception that standard homeowners insurance policies will cover damages due to flooding.

It is recommended that homeowners have flood insurance to save them from having to cover the costs of damage, particularly in high-risk areas like

Seattle

. To provide you with all the information you need to protect your home,

car and home insurance

comparison app

Jerry

has created this guide to flood insurance in Washington.

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What is flood insurance?

Flood insurance is a type of insurance that covers losses caused by weather-related flooding.

For insurance purposes, a flood is defined as an excess of water on land that is normally dry that affects two or more acres of land or two or more properties.

This means that you can’t use flood insurance to pay for damages arising from a sump pump backup in your basement or a burst pipe.

What does flood insurance cover?

Flood insurance coverage can be broken down into two types: building coverage and contents coverage.

While building coverage protects the structure of your home, contents coverage takes care of your personal belongings.

For example, damages to your electrical systems, plumbing, or appliances will be covered under building coverage, while clothing and furniture losses will be covered by contents coverage.

Flood insurance does not cover damages or losses to cars, valuable papers, landscaping outside of the property, anything stored in your basement, or additional living expenses incurred as the result of a flood.

For a detailed breakdown of what each type of coverage does and does not cover, refer to the table below:

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

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MORE: Does home insurance cover flooded basements?

Do you need flood insurance in Washington?

Flood insurance is not required statewide in Washington. However, if you live in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA), your mortgage lender may require you to purchase a standalone flood insurance policy.

Borrowers with federally-backed mortgages in high-risk flood zones should expect a flood insurance requirement.

Homeowners can purchase flood insurance through the

National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP

), which offers coverage based on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) risk assessment.

Flood insurance is still highly recommended for all homeowners to ensure they have adequate financial protection in the event of a natural disaster.

Keep in mind that 20% of all flood claims come from low-risk to moderate-risk areas, and any federal disaster assistance you may receive will likely come in the form of a loan with interest payments.

What flood zones require flood insurance in Washington?

Depending on your mortgage lender, you may be required to purchase flood insurance based on your flood zone.

To determine specific levels of flood risk for different areas, FEMA uses Flood Insurance Rate Maps (FIRMs).

Low- and moderate-risk zones are indicated on flood maps with the letters B, C, and X, while high-risk zones are designated by A and V.

To find out what zone of risk your home is in, you can check FEMA’s

Flood Map Service Center

Flood Factor®

Key Takeaway If you live in a designated high-risk flood zone (starting with A or V) and have a government mortgage, you may be required to purchase flood insurance.

How much does flood insurance cost in Washington?

The average cost of Washington flood insurance is $945 per year (around $79 per month), but your rates will vary depending on your local area’s risk.

For example, homeowners in low- to moderate-risk areas can purchase building and contents coverage for as little as $325 per year.

A new method of insurance cost calculation will be introduced in April 2022 called the Risk Rating 2.0 methodology. With this new system, costs will be calculated based on the specific risk of each property, and 67% of Washington policyholders are expected to see a price increase.

MORE: How much water damage will total a car?

How to save money on flood and auto insurance in Washington

Having the right insurance can be an added stress for many homeowners, and finding a policy that will fit your needs and save you money sounds almost too good to be true.

Luckily, there are ways to cut insurance costs so you’re able to receive the coverage you need. You can save money on flood insurance by following FEMA’s

, submitting an

elevation certificate

to your insurance agent, or opting for a higher deductible or contents-only coverage.

While flood insurance does not cover damages to your car, you can save money on a car insurance policy that does by using super app

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In less than a minute, Jerry will complete a comprehensive cross-analysis of rates from top companies to find you the best deals. On average, Jerry users save $887 a year on car insurance!

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