Flood insurance in District of Columbia

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
2,167
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$615
$655 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$5.5M
across 501 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
24%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in District of Columbia, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2011, with $1.6 million paid on 27 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE0%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE24%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C76%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 48% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in District of Columbia

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding199610$373 thousand
Hurricane Irene20117$25 thousand
Hurricane Sandy20126$17 thousand
Hurricane Ida20211$8,866
Tropical Storm Ophelia20233$7,076

Flood insurance by county

Counties in District of Columbia with detailed pages, by number of policies

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
District of Columbia2,167$615501$5.5 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in District of Columbia?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in District of Columbia costs about $615 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 District of Columbia?

There are about 2,167 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in District of Columbia, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does District of Columbia flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in District of Columbia have filed 501 flood claims, with $5.5 million paid out. 216 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.