Around 366,735 properties in Michigan have a greater than one in four chance of being severely flooded over the next 30 years, according to Risk Factor. The metro Detroit area faces a particularly high risk given its low-lying landscape and proximity to major bodies of water. This area of the state is also expected to see a drastic increase in heavy rain events over the next 30 years, making flood insurance an important consideration for homeowners. [1]
Though flood insurance is not required by law in Michigan, if your house is located in a high-risk flood zone, or any area labeled A or V on FEMA’s flood maps, your mortgage lender may require you to purchase flood insurance.
How much is flood insurance in Michigan?
The average cost of flood insurance in Michigan is $886 per year through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), the federal government entity that provides the vast majority of flood insurance policies in the U.S.
Looking at the Michigan cities with at least 100 NFIP policyholders, the average cost of flood insurance is as high as $2,567 in East Lansing, and as low as $516 per year in Farmington.
Here’s a look at the average cost of flood insurance in Michigan cities with at least one active FEMA flood insurance policy.
Your flood insurance costs are generally calculated based on the following factors:
Your home’s location
Your home’s age, size, and construction type
Your home’s elevation
Your policy deductible amount
The amount of coverage in your policy
In addition to the above factors, the amount you pay for flood insurance will also depend on how your flood insurance provider calculates your rates.
Cheapest Michigan cities for flood insurance
Of the Michigan cities and towns with at least 100 NFIP policyholders, here are the 10 with the cheapest average flood insurance premiums.
City | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
New Buffalo | $353 |
Saugatuck | $681 |
Trenton | $709 |
$731 | |
Spring Lake | $744 |
Ira | $764 |
Saginaw | $771 |
Bay City | $776 |
Luna Pier | $863 |
Clay | $874 |
Most expensive Michigan cities for flood insurance
Here are the 10 most expensive cities and towns in Michigan for flood insurance for communities with at least 100 policyholders.
City | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
East Lansing | $2,567 |
Lansing | $2,470 |
Flat Rock | $1,599 |
Troy | $1,555 |
Meridian | $1,470 |
Taylor | $1,443 |
Hamburg | $1,305 |
Gibraltar | $1,287 |
Redford | $1,273 |
Kawkawlin | $1,263 |
Flood insurance rates by flood zone in Michigan
Flood insurance rates in Michigan will generally vary depending on where you live and whether or not your house is in a FEMA flood zone, which it determines based on the likelihood of flooding over a period of time. Any A or V zone, for example, has at least a 1% chance of flooding during any given year. Also referred to as a “100-year flood plain,” these areas have the highest flood risk, according to FEMA flood maps.
Here are the average flood insurance rates in areas with a high risk, moderate to low risk, and undetermined risk, according to an analysis of NFIP premium data. [2]
Flood zone | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
High risk (A or V) | $1,885 |
Moderate to low risk (B, C, or X) | $610 |
Undetermined risk (D) | $830 |
What does flood insurance cover in Michigan?
Flood insurance helps cover the cost of flood damage to your home and belongings. That means if your house is damaged due to lake flooding, a river overflow, or any source of natural flooding, flood insurance can pay to repair or replace your property.
A standard flood insurance policy through the NFIP comes with two main coverages that can be purchased together or individually.
Building property coverage: Pays to repair or rebuild your house or garage if they’re damaged in a flood. The maximum building property coverage limit with the NFIP is $250,000, meaning that’s the most the NFIP will reimburse you for repairs, regardless of the damage amount.
Personal property coverage: Pays to repair or replace your belongings if they’re damaged in a flood. This includes your furniture, electronics, clothes, and any other items you own. The maximum personal property coverage limit with the NFIP is $100,000.
Each coverage also comes with its own separate out-of-pocket deductible, which is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim. Choosing a higher deductible will lower your flood insurance premium, but it will also reduce your claim payment.
How to buy flood insurance in Michigan
Michigan residents can buy flood insurance in one of two ways: through the NFIP, which is regulated and backed by the federal government and sold by insurance companies, or private flood insurance.
Private flood insurance vs. NFIP coverage
Private flood insurance generally gives you the option for higher coverage limits beyond the relatively low $250,000/$100,000 in coverage you’re limited to with the NFIP.
Additionally, private flood policies include coverages and perks that aren’t available through the heavily regulated NFIP. This includes loss of use coverage to help cover the cost of lodging or restaurant meals in the event your house is badly damaged and you’re forced to evacuate; or replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings.
Here’s a look at what Michigan residents can expect with NFIP and private flood insurance.
NFIP | Private flood insurance | |
|---|---|---|
Maximum home rebuild limit | $250,000 | Typically up to $500,000 or higher |
Availability | Most Michigan counties | May be limited in high-risk areas |
Waiting period | 30 days | As little as 2 weeks |
Accepted by mortgage lenders | Yes | Yes |
Replacement cost building coverage | Yes | Yes |
Replacement cost contents coverage | No | Yes |
Loss of use coverage | No | Yes |
Loss avoidance coverage (sandbags, etc.) | No | Yes |
Debris removal coverage | Yes | Yes |
Do I need flood insurance in Michigan?
While you aren’t legally required to buy flood insurance in the Great Lakes State or anywhere else in the country, if your home is one of the approximately 366,735 Michigan housing units in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone, your mortgage lender may require it as a stipulation in your loan agreement.
But even if your lender doesn’t require it, homeowners in flood-prone areas of Michigan will want to consider this important piece of financial protection. While only around 7% of Michigan homes are located in Special Flood Hazard Areas (SHFAs), around 25% of all flood insurance claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas, according to FEMA. [3]
Here’s a look at the total number of housing units and the percentage of all homes in high-risk flood zones for each county in Michigan.
Regardless of which flood zone you live in, you’ll want to make sure you’re finding the best flood insurance at the most affordable rate. For the best flood insurance policy comparison, consider comparing both NFIP and private flood insurance plans with Policygenius.
Our team of licensed insurance agents at Policygenius can help you compare policies and find the best option for you. Click the calculator to get started.
