Michigan Flood Insurance
Get a complete analysis of Michigan flood insurance costs, coverage, and companies.
Written by
Christine Lacagnina has written thousands of insurance-based articles for TrustedChoice.com by authoring consumable, understandable content.
Reviewed by
Cara Carlone is a licensed P&C agent with 20 years of experience. She has her P&C license in RI and TX and holds CPCU, API, and AINS designations.
Find the Best Flood Insurance Rates and Companies in Michigan
Michigan is home to the Great Lakes, which means the state has a unique chance of flooding disasters after heavy rainfall or snowmelt. But many of the state's residents and business owners don't realize that natural flood damage is excluded by standard homeowners insurance and business insurance policies. To protect your property, you'll need to get equipped with a flood insurance policy.
Luckily, a local independent insurance agent in Michigan can help you get set up with the right flood insurance today. They know exactly what type of coverage you need, whether you're covering a residential or commercial property. But first, here's a behind-the-scenes look at Michigan flood insurance, why it's necessary, and more.
Key Takeaways - Michigan Flood Insurance
- Michigan flood insurance includes protection for a building's structure, foundation, and contents against natural flood damage.
- The average cost of flood insurance in Michigan is $817 per year, or approximately $68 per month.
- Michigan's flood insurance rates are slightly cheaper than the current national average of $899 per year or approximately $75 per month.
- You might be required to have flood insurance in Michigan if you have a mortgage or your property is located in a high-risk flood zone.
- Working with a local independent insurance agent is strongly recommended, as they can tailor a policy to your unique property and coverage needs.
The Best Flood Insurance Companies in Michigan
A handful of private flood insurance companies sell flood insurance in Michigan. Here are our top recommendations for the best Michigan flood insurance companies.
- Central Insurance: This carrier offers flood insurance, along with a wide variety of other personal and business insurance options. Central Insurance has excellent official ratings, offers 24/7 claims reporting, and has great customer feedback.
- Progressive: This carrier offers flood insurance, along with several other personal and business insurance products. Progressive has an excellent financial strength rating from AM Best, offers many discounts, and provides 24/7/365 customer service.
- REInsure Pro: This carrier also offers flood insurance, along with many types of personal insurance products. REInsure Pro works with independent insurance agents and offers fast claims responses.
A local independent insurance agent in Michigan can help you compare policy options and quotes for affordable flood insurance near you.
How to buy flood insurance in Michigan
Flood insurance in Michigan can be bought from FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from private insurance companies throughout the state. However, the best option may be to work with a local Michigan independent insurance agent. These agents have access to multiple carriers, so they're free to shop and compare your options to find the cheapest flood insurance in Michigan.
Is Flood Insurance Required in Michigan?
Sometimes, yes, flood insurance can be required for Michigan residents and business owners. If you own property in a high-risk flood zone, flood insurance can be mandatory. You might also be required by your lender to have coverage if you have a mortgage.
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What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Michigan?
Whether you purchase flood insurance from the NFIP or a private insurance company, it's designed to cover the structure and foundation of a building, as well as its contents. In Michigan, flood insurance breaks down as follows:
- Contents coverage: This can pay for natural flood damage to your personal property stored inside the insured building, including the following:
- Food freezers and the food in them
- Clothes washers and dryers
- Certain valuable items, such as original artwork and furs, up to $2,500
- Carpets that are not included in building coverage
- Clothing, furniture, and electronic equipment
- Curtains
- Portable and window air conditioners
- Portable microwave ovens and portable dishwashers
- Buildings coverage: This can pay for natural flood damage to a building's structure, including its foundation and all of the following:
- Refrigerators, cooking stoves, and built-in appliances like dishwashers
- Permanently installed carpeting
- Detached garages
- Fuel tanks, well water tanks and pumps, and solar energy equipment
- Furnaces and water heaters
- Permanently installed cabinets, paneling, and bookcases
- Window blinds
- Foundation walls, anchorage systems, and staircases
- Electrical and plumbing systems
Your Michigan independent insurance agent will help you find all the flood insurance coverage you need to protect your specific property.
What's Not Covered by Flood Insurance in Michigan?
Michigan flood insurance doesn't include coverage for vehicles. Work with an independent insurance agent to add comprehensive coverage to your personal auto insurance policy to get this protection. Further, flood insurance won't cover any of the following:
- Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of the insured property
- Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates
- Personal property kept in a basement
- Preventable damage caused by moisture, mildew, or mold
- Property and belongings outside of the insured building, such as walks, decks, patios, fences, trees, plants, wells, septic systems, seawalls, hot tubs, and swimming pools
- Additional living expenses, such as temporary housing
- Flood damage caused by sewer line breaks or backups*
*If you want protection for your home against flooding caused by sewer issues, your independent insurance agent can help you add a sewer backup endorsement to your Michigan home insurance policy.
How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost in Michigan?
Michigan flood insurance costs an average of $817 per year, or approximately $68 per month. This is slightly less expensive than the current national average flood insurance rate of $899 per year, or approximately $75 per month.
Local flood insurance rates are set by FEMA and the NFIP using the Michigan Flood Insurance Rate Map. Also, Michigan flood insurance rates can be affected by these factors:
- The deductible and amount of coverage you need
- Your home's flood zone designation
- The location, design, building materials, and age of your home
- The value of your home’s contents
- The type of coverage you purchased
- Whether or not your home has a basement
Work with a local independent insurance agent to find affordable flood insurance coverage in Michigan.
Michigan Flood Zones
You can get an accurate flood risk assessment for all areas of Michigan on FEMA's official website. The following comprehensive and user-friendly documents are available on FEMA's website:
- Michigan flood zone maps
- Detroit, Michigan flood maps
- Michigan flood zone map PDFS
- Michigan flood plain maps
Your Michigan flood zone designation can influence the cost of your flood insurance premiums. It can be helpful to research your flood zone before shopping for coverage.
Michigan cities with the highest flood risk
If you're located near one of the Great Lakes, you need to be extra concerned about flooding. Additionally, these cities in Michigan are especially prone to flooding:
- Detroit
- Warren
- Grand Rapids
- Sterling Heights
- Lansing
- Flint
- Dearborn
- Dearborn Heights
- St. Clair Shores
- Grosse Pointe Woods
Flood insurance may be required for properties in these cities. Your Michigan independent insurance agent can help you get set up with the coverage you need.
The Best Flood Insurance Discounts in Michigan
There are a couple of ways to get flood insurance discounts in Michigan:
- From private flood insurance companies: In Michigan, private flood insurance companies can offer various discounts, such as for properties with flood-proofing measures or for individuals affiliated with certain organizations. The available discounts vary by insurer.
- From FEMA: This organization sometimes offers flood insurance discounts for newly mapped properties and for those in communities that participate in the Community Rating System. These discounts range from 5% to 45%, determined by a property's classification.
Your independent insurance agent can help you find the best Michigan flood insurance discounts to reduce your premiums.
How to Apply for Flood Insurance in Michigan
When shopping for flood insurance in Michigan, you can find coverage in the following ways:
- Through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
- From private flood insurance companies in Michigan
- By working with local independent insurance agents in Michigan
Option three can provide the easiest way to get set up with flood insurance in Michigan. Independent insurance agents have access to multiple flood insurance carriers near you, so they can compare policy options and rates to find the best deal.
How to File a Flood Insurance Claim in Michigan
Filing flood insurance claims in Michigan requires just a few easy steps:
- Contact your insurance company or agent: Once a flood disaster occurs, contact your flood insurance company or independent insurance agent immediately. Be prepared with your insurance information.
- Prepare for an inspection: Don't reenter your property until officials declare it's safe to do so. Then, you'll need to prepare a detailed written report and photo or video evidence of all property damage for your insurance company to submit your claim.
- Work with your claims adjuster: Your insurer will schedule an in-person visit by a claims adjuster to conduct a home inspection and evaluate the damage. This adjuster might be able to provide you with an estimate for reimbursement during their visit.
- Receive payment: Your insurer will send you the claim payout they agree to based on your claim. It may come as a check in the mail or a direct deposit into your bank account. The amount you receive depends on your coverage and the extent of the damage.
If you file your claim through your Michigan independent insurance agent, they can contact your carrier on your behalf. Your agent can also keep you updated throughout the claims process and let you know when you can expect to receive your payout.
Flood Insurance Made Easy — Quote and Buy Online
With Diamondback Insurance, you can compare real-time quotes, choose the right coverage, and purchase your policy — all online in just minutes.
FAQs About Michigan Flood Insurance
The average cost of flood insurance in Michigan is $817 per year, or approximately $68 per month.
After comparing several flood insurance companies, we determined that Central Insurance is the best choice in Michigan this year. Central Insurance has excellent official ratings, offers 24/7 claims reporting, and has great customer feedback.
In some cases, yes. Flood insurance may be required for Michigan property owners and residents in high-risk flood areas, or for those with government-backed mortgages.
Michigan independent insurance agents can help you find the flood insurance you need from a top-rated local carrier. Independent insurance agents work hard to find quality coverage at the most affordable rate. They'll shop and compare flood insurance quotes from several carriers for you.
And down the road, they can help you file flood insurance claims or update your coverage as needed. Your agent can help you find flood insurance in Ann Arbor or wherever you reside.
https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/flood-insurance-cost
https://www.drymich.com/resources/basement-waterproofing/top-cities-in-michigan-at-serious-risk-of-flooding/