Flood Insurance in Pennsylvania

Your home is at risk even if you’re not in a federally designated flood zone, as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) reports that over one in four flood insurance claims it receives come from properties outside high-risk areas.

Flood coverage provides valuable financial protection and peace of mind. If you’re looking for the best flood insurance in Pennsylvania, read below for essential information about average rates and coverage options.

The average cost of flood insurance in Pennsylvania is $2,060 annually under the National Flood Insurance Program. Before 2021, the average rate was around $1,075, but the NFIP raised average premiums nationwide under Risk Rating 2.0.

The NFIP is the largest flood insurance provider in the country (and Pennsylvania), but it’s not a traditional insurance company. The NFIP is a program offered by the federal government through FEMA. It aims to subsidize flood insurance nationwide for as many people as possible.

This is easier said than done. When the NFIP reworked its premium calculation method around 2021 to have insurance rates more accurately reflect flooding risk for all properties, the average cost of flood insurance in Pennsylvania increased in every county. 

This overhaul is termed Risk Rating 2.0. The table below shows Pennsylvania flood insurance rates before and after RR 2.0 premiums take full effect.

The current cost of insurance doesn’t reflect RR 2.0 rates yet because the NFIP is phasing the rates in gradually. RR 2.0 rates became effective for new NFIP policies on October 1, 2022. For existing policyholders, RR 2.0 rates have been weaned in since April 1, 2022, with the NFIP limiting annual rate hikes to 18%. Consequently, existing policyholders may need time to realize their RR 2.0 premium fully.

Under RR 2.0, the cheapest flood insurance in Pennsylvania per year will be found in the following counties:

RR 2.0 alters the rating system for everyone, and almost all policyholders will see some sort of change in their premiums. Despite the overall average increase, over 10,000 people’s premiums will go down under RR 2.0, with over 2,600 of those people experiencing a notable reduction of over $100 per month.

However, about 25,000 policyholders in Pennsylvania will incur increased flood insurance rates under the new methodology.

Flood insurance in Pennsylvania covers your home from flooding. The causes of flood damage include storm surges, mudslides, coastal erosion, and flash flooding from heavy rains by strong thunderstorms or deluges from hurricanes.

The two primary components of NFIP policies are building and contents coverage.

Flood insurance providers, including the NFIP, often limit their coverage in basements. If you have a basement, the NFIP will only cover certain items that are connected to integral for your home, such as furnaces, water heaters, sump pumps, washers, and dryers. 

The NFIP won’t cover most belongings or improvements in basements, such as furniture, televisions, or upgraded flooring.

To ensure that your Pennsylvania flood insurance policy is the best it can be for your property, we highly recommend comparing rates and coverage options from the NFIP and private flood insurers. Private companies can offer higher limits and more flexible coverage options, but they may be cost-prohibitive.

The NFIP is the largest provider in the country, but you don’t need to buy your plan directly from the government. The NFIP partners with some private companies and allows them to write and service the policies in their names. 

The companies handle policy claims and customer service, while the federal government underwrites and funds the plans. As a result of this agreement, called the Write Your Own Program, you can get NFIP flood insurance in Pennsylvania from some private companies, which is different than private flood insurance.

Pennsylvania flood insurance companies that participate in the WYO program and offer NFIP coverage are:

Since all these providers offer NFIP coverage, you won’t experience different rates or policy coverages if you shop around with these carriers. FEMA sets all NFIP parameters; these companies just distribute and service the plans.

You can also get true private flood insurance in Pennsylvania separate from the government at some carriers. There are private flood insurance companies that write their own policies, often with higher limits than NFIP plans. However, they may not be available or affordable everywhere in the state.

Since private companies have more flexibility on where and when they offer coverage, they can up alter their coverage options more freely. Many private flood insurance companies have plans with building limits over $1 million and contents limit of $500,000 or more if needed.

Private firms can also include additional coverage, such as loss of use, in their policies. Loss of use coverage can reimburse you for expenses you incur if you’re ever forced to move out of your house after suffering significant damage from a flood. Loss of use coverage can cover groceries, gas, temporary lodging, and more.

You can shop around with private flood insurance companies in Pennsylvania to see who has the best rates and coverage options for your budget and needs. However, your options may be limited in some areas, especially high-risk flood zones, where it might not be profitable for a private company to write plans.

While the average cost of flood insurance in Pennsylvania is about$2,060 per year, you may pay more or less than this depending on a few factors about your home. Properties at greater risk of flooding have higher insurance rates.

Companies will examine your location when calculating rates. Homes in FEMA-designated high-risk flood zones generally have higher premiums. FEMA categorizes flood zones based on the level of flood risk. Properties in high-risk flood zones, called Special Flood Hazard Areas, typically have higher premiums than properties in moderate- or low-risk zones. You ca

On flood maps, SFHAs begin with A or V and are often found near bodies of water. Philadelphia, Bucks, and Delaware counties have properties susceptible to storm surges largely due to Delaware and other nearby rivers around the capital city, increasing rates for people in these areas. You can check your flood zone with a Pennsylvania flood insurance rate map on FEMA’s website.

Companies also note your home’s elevation. Homes built at higher elevations, such as on elevated foundations, may qualify for lower premiums as they are less susceptible to flood damage. Houses higher relative to nearby water sources can have lower premiums.

The type of construction and the materials used in building the property can impact Pennsylvania flood insurance rates, too. Properties with flood-resistant building materials and mitigation measures, such as flood vents and sump pumps, may be eligible for lower premiums.

While flood insurance is generally not required by law in Pennsylvania, homeowners with mortgages on homes in high-risk flood zones will likely be required to purchase flood insurance. 

This requirement helps protect the lender’s investment in case of flood-related damage. Lenders require homeowners in SFHAs to carry and maintain flood insurance for the life of the loan.

Lenders normally accept NFIP and private flood insurance coverage as long as the policy limits meet your home’s value. If you have an NFIP policy, this applies up until the maximum of $250,000, if necessary.

We’ve outlined how comparing flood insurance quotes in Pennsylvania is essential to finding the best coverage at the best price. We don’t want to end our help there. You can submit our flood quote form or speak with one of our licensed agents to explore your options and make an informed decision on your policy.

For the quickest service, calling our team at 833-255-4117 during business hours will connect you with an agent directly who will answer your questions and help you compare rates and options. 

Or, if you’d rather get quotes on your own time, you can submit our flood insurance quote form at your convenience. All you must do is answer some questions about yourself and your property, and our team will get back to you shortly with some flood insurance quotes in Pennsylvania.

Flood insurance in Philadelphia costs about $1,368 annually under the NFIP. Flooding from rivers, groundwaters, excessive runoff, and basement backups are all possible in Philadelphia, so don’t overlook the importance of the right insurance coverage.

Most properties in Eastwick are in a high-risk flood zone. Additionally, parts of South Philly, Port Richmond, Northern Liberties, and Germantown are prone to surface flooding and sewer backups. 

Properties lining the Delaware and Schuylkill Rivers are also likely in SFHAs, as are properties along Byberry, Cobbs, Darby, Indian, Pennypack, Poquessing, Tacony-Frankford, Wissahickon and Wooden Bridge Run creeks.

You should consider flood insurance in Philadelphia sooner rather than later. The city reports that climate change may also make flooding consequences worse. Compare quotes from private companies and the NFIP to find a good deal and save money on Philadelphia’s best flood insurance.