Flood insurance in Kentucky

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
17,411
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,548
$278 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$527.8M
across 27,947 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
80%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Kentucky, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2025, with $112.6 million paid on 2,171 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 / AE80%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C20%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 46% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Kentucky

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding19973,994$79.3 million
Central U.S. April Flooding20251,100$70.2 million
February Kentucky Flooding2025978$40.0 million
Flooding19842,752$28.5 million
Late July Flooding2022458$25.0 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Kentucky with detailed pages, by number of policies. 77 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Jefferson County3,985$1,4115,557$98.8 million
Pike County837$1,9622,480$56.2 million
Daviess County742$849327$3.6 million
Bullitt County630$1,216379$6.7 million
Campbell County503$1,231450$5.8 million
Floyd County441$2,0122,618$37.3 million
Greenup County353$1,230713$10.8 million
Christian County343$1,375978$21.4 million
Franklin County260$2,2691,518$32.0 million
Bell County236$1,767566$7.4 million
Oldham County230$1,9411,083$27.6 million
Perry County169$2,320594$10.0 million
Woodford County152$2,431509$17.0 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Kentucky?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Kentucky costs about $1,548 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 Kentucky?

There are about 17,411 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Kentucky, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Kentucky flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Kentucky have filed 27,947 flood claims, with $527.8 million paid out. 5,289 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.