Flood insurance in Alabama

Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Alabama, county by county, from official FEMA records.

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
45,084
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,437
$167 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$1.2B
across 44,896 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
76%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Alabama, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2004, with $363.3 million paid on 7,269 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE15%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE61%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C24%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 36% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Alabama

EventYearClaimsPaid
Hurricane Ivan20046,895$355.5 million
Hurricane Katrina20055,663$288.7 million
Hurricane Sally20203,321$123.9 million
Hurricane Georges19984,593$69.7 million
Mid-spring storms20141,087$47.0 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Alabama with detailed pages, by number of policies. 43 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Baldwin County25,281$1,68319,745$659.5 million
Mobile County6,652$1,48815,117$368.6 million
Madison County3,420$1,142785$11.6 million
Jefferson County1,493$1,4952,884$47.4 million
Montgomery County847$1,077417$6.7 million
Tuscaloosa County640$1,206298$3.4 million
Shelby County590$1,427797$19.2 million
Morgan County512$1,155200$3.0 million
Coffee County195$935591$17.7 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Alabama?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Alabama costs about $1,437 a year. Your own premium depends on your building's flood risk, elevation and the coverage you choose.

How many homes have flood insurance in Alabama?

There are about 45,084 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Alabama, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Alabama flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Alabama have filed 44,896 flood claims, with $1.2 billion paid out. 5,538 of those claims were in the last 10 years.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding?

No. Standard homeowners and renters insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood policy from the NFIP or a private insurer.

How long until a new flood policy starts?

NFIP policies usually have a 30-day waiting period, so buying when a storm is already forecast is normally too late. Exceptions apply, for example when a lender requires the policy at closing.

How to get flood insurance

Most flood policies are sold through the National Flood Insurance Program by regular insurance agents. Ask the agent who handles your home or car insurance, or find one through FloodSmart.gov, FEMA's official flood insurance site. Private flood insurers also sell policies in many areas and are worth comparing.