Montana Flood Insurance

Find the Best Flood Insurance Rates and Companies in Montana

Montana is prone to flooding disasters. Just a few years ago, the state was hit by one of the worst flooding events in its history, which impacted several of its major watersheds, including the Yellowstone River. Heavy rainfall and snowmelt led to widespread flooding throughout the state. To be prepared for events like this, it's imperative to have flood insurance. 

Fortunately, a local independent insurance agent in Montana can help you get equipped with the right flood insurance policy. They can help you protect your property, whether it's residential or commercial. Until then, here's a behind-the-scenes look at Montana flood insurance requirements, coverage, average costs, and more. 

Key Takeaways - Montana Flood Insurance

• In Montana, flood insurance can pay for the cost of repairs, replacements, or rebuilding after natural flood damage to your property's contents, foundation, and structure.
• The average cost of flood insurance in Montana is $901 per year, or approximately $75 per month, which is comparable to the current national average of $899 annually.
• In Montana, flood insurance can be mandatory for properties located in high-risk flood zones or for those with government-backed mortgages.
• 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 Montana

Montana insurance is available from several private insurance carriers throughout the state. These are our top picks for the best Montana flood insurance companies. 

• Nationwide: This insurance company sells flood insurance and a large catalog of personal and business insurance products. Nationwide has outstanding official ratings and offers affordable premiums, along with 24/7 claims reporting.
• Foremost Insurance: This insurance company sells flood insurance and many other types of personal insurance. Foremost has excellent official ratings, great customer feedback, and provides 24/7 claims reporting.

Your independent insurance agent can compare Montana flood insurance quotes to find the best deal on coverage. 

How to buy flood insurance in Montana

In Montana, FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and private insurance companies each sell flood insurance throughout the state. A local independent insurance agent can help you compare your coverage options to find the right policy. They know which carriers offer the best blend of flood insurance coverage and cost.

Is Flood Insurance Required in Montana? 

Sometimes. Flood insurance can be required for properties in Montana that are located in high-risk flood zones or that have mortgages. Regardless of whether coverage is mandatory, given the state's flood-prone nature, it can be critical to have flood insurance to protect your property. Standard homeowners insurance and business insurance policies don't cover damage caused by natural floodwaters. 

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.

Get an Instant Quote

What Does Flood Insurance Cover in Montana?

In Montana, flood insurance covers the contents within a building, as well as its structure and foundation. Flood insurance coverage is broken down into the following categories:

• Contents coverage: Pays for the cost of natural flood damage to personal or business property in your home or business, including clothing, furniture, window treatments, décor, electronics, window air-conditioners, portable appliances, carpeting, and flooring. 
• Buildings coverage: Pays for the cost of natural flood damage to the structure or foundation of your property, including its plumbing and electrical systems, built-in appliances, furnaces, air conditioning units, and permanently installed carpeting.

Your Montana independent insurance agent can help you get the flood insurance coverage you need in both categories. 

What's Not Covered by Flood Insurance in Montana? 

Since Montana flood insurance won't cover flood damage to vehicles, be sure to add comprehensive coverage to your car insurance policy. Additionally, flood insurance won't cover any of the following:

• Additional living expenses, such as temporary housing
• Currency, precious metals, and valuable papers such as stock certificates
• Financial losses caused by business interruption or loss of use of the insured property
• 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
• Personal property kept in a basement
• Flood damage caused by sewer line breaks or backups*

*To protect your home against flooding caused by sewer issues, ask your Montana independent insurance agent to help you add a sewer backup endorsement to your homeowners insurance. 

How Much Does Flood Insurance Cost in Montana?

Montana flood insurance costs an average of $901 per year, or approximately $75 per month. That's quite comparable to the current national average flood insurance rate of $899 annually. 

Local flood insurance rates are set by FEMA and the NFIP using the Montana Flood Insurance Rate Map. Further, Montana flood insurance rates can be impacted by these factors:

• The deductible and amount of coverage you need
• The value of your home’s contents 
• The type of coverage you purchased
• Whether or not your home has a basement
• Your home's flood zone designation
• The location, design, building materials, and age of your home

Your independent insurance agent can help you find the most affordable flood insurance coverage in Montana.

Montana Flood Zones

Using FEMA's official website, you can find an accurate Montana flood risk assessment for your property. The following comprehensive and user-friendly documents are also available:

• Montana flood zone maps
• Helena, Montana, flood maps
• Montana flood zone map PDFS
• Montana flood plain maps

Your Montana flood zone designation can also affect your flood insurance premiums. As such, it can be helpful to know your specific flood zone when you start shopping for flood insurance in Montana. 

Montana cities with the highest flood risk

Certain areas of Montana are more prone to flooding events than others. Properties in these cities should be equipped with flood insurance:

1. Fort Benton
2. Troy
3. Superior

You might even be required to have flood coverage if you own a property in these cities. Your local independent insurance agent can help you get set up with all the required Montana flood insurance for your area. 

How to Lower Flood Insurance Costs in Montana

You might not be able to avoid flood damage to your property, but you can reduce the financial impact with the right coverage. Fortunately, you can also reduce your policy's premiums with one of the following options:

• Elevate your home's utilities: Ensure your foundation has floodwater openings to allow water to be drained out immediately in the event of a flood. This not only better protects your home from flood damage, but it can also reduce your flood insurance premiums.
• Compare quotes from the NFIP and private flood insurance companies: Sometimes, private flood insurance is more affordable. It also usually comes with higher coverage limits than NFIP polices. 
• Obtain an elevation certificate: This document outlines the flood risk for your property, providing information such as your flood zone and the height of your lowest floor. Elevation certificates will no longer be required under FEMA’s new risk rating methodology, Risk Rating 2.0. However, property owners can still submit one to lower their insurance costs. 
• Choose a higher deductible: Higher deductibles can lower your flood insurance premiums. Just keep in mind that you'll have to pay more out-of-pocket when filing a claim. 
• Upgrade or retrofit your home: Ensure your living spaces are elevated, and verify the base elevation rate for your area to determine the optimal height for your space. Having an appropriately elevated living space can help reduce your property's risk of flooding and lower your flood insurance premiums. 

An independent insurance agent in Montana can help you find all the flood insurance discounts you qualify for.

How to Apply for Flood Insurance in Montana

In Montana, you can shop for flood insurance from any of the following:

1. FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
2. Private flood insurance companies 
3. Local independent insurance agents

Montana independent insurance agents know where to find the best flood insurance coverage for your unique property. They can help you get set up with all the coverage you need at a great rate. 

How to File a Flood Insurance Claim in Montana

Filing flood insurance claims in Montana is a simple process when you know the steps. Just use this guide if you ever experience a flooding event:

1. Call your insurance company or agent: Gather your insurance information before you contact your Montana independent insurance agent or flood insurance carrier to report the flood disaster. You should report the flooding immediately to initiate the claims process.
2. Gather evidence: Wait to reenter your property until officials have examined it and determined it's safe. Then, you'll be asked by your insurance company to take photo and video evidence of any property damage and prepare a detailed written report.
3. Work with your claims adjuster: Your flood insurance carrier will schedule a visit from a claims adjuster to inspect the property damage in person. Your adjuster might be able to provide you with a reimbursement estimate during this visit. 
4. Get paid: Finally, you'll receive your claim payout. The payout could be in the form of a direct deposit or a check. The amount of your payout depends on the terms of your coverage. 

If you file a claim with your Montana independent insurance agent, they can contact your carrier directly and keep you updated throughout the entire process. 

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.

Get an Instant Quote

FAQs About Flood Insurance in Montana