Flood insurance in Louisiana
Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Louisiana, county by county, from official FEMA records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in Louisiana, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2005, with $13.8 billion paid on 189,275 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 29% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in Louisiana
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Katrina | 2005 | 176,276 | $13.3 billion |
| Mid-summer severe storms | 2016 | 30,019 | $2.5 billion |
| Hurricane Ida | 2021 | 14,677 | $692.3 million |
| Flooding | 1995 | 36,820 | $594.4 million |
| Hurricane Isaac | 2012 | 13,318 | $513.3 million |
Flood insurance by county
Counties in Louisiana with detailed pages, by number of policies. 24 smaller counties are included in the state totals.
| County | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson Parish | 86,119 | $1,093 | 135,664 | $3.6 billion |
| Orleans Parish | 66,504 | $1,034 | 127,255 | $7.3 billion |
| St. Tammany Parish | 40,772 | $1,249 | 38,420 | $1.8 billion |
| East Baton Rouge Parish | 40,071 | $603 | 22,575 | $1.3 billion |
| Lafayette Parish | 17,279 | $848 | 6,579 | $266.7 million |
| Livingston Parish | 14,978 | $1,168 | 14,639 | $835.2 million |
| Ascension Parish | 14,036 | $817 | 6,783 | $353.6 million |
| Calcasieu Parish | 12,686 | $1,374 | 10,386 | $324.0 million |
| Terrebonne Parish | 11,782 | $1,541 | 13,501 | $326.6 million |
| St. Charles Parish | 10,512 | $1,159 | 7,568 | $161.4 million |
| St. Bernard Parish | 9,037 | $935 | 23,919 | $2.2 billion |
| Lafourche Parish | 8,503 | $1,373 | 6,203 | $104.0 million |
| Tangipahoa Parish | 7,350 | $1,003 | 4,296 | $177.6 million |
| St. John the Baptist Parish | 5,771 | $1,326 | 8,979 | $655.3 million |
| Ouachita Parish | 4,774 | $485 | 6,984 | $162.9 million |
| Bossier Parish | 4,744 | $383 | 1,107 | $26.1 million |
| Caddo Parish | 4,535 | $676 | 2,438 | $42.0 million |
| Vermilion Parish | 4,474 | $1,501 | 4,799 | $187.1 million |
| Plaquemines Parish | 4,388 | $1,590 | 6,086 | $381.8 million |
| Iberia Parish | 3,078 | $1,565 | 2,891 | $88.9 million |
| Rapides Parish | 3,042 | $480 | 4,231 | $68.3 million |
| St. Mary Parish | 2,864 | $1,849 | 2,532 | $37.3 million |
| St. Landry Parish | 2,387 | $790 | 976 | $22.2 million |
| St. Martin Parish | 2,363 | $900 | 1,466 | $28.2 million |
| Acadia Parish | 2,348 | $1,043 | 1,481 | $37.0 million |
| West Baton Rouge Parish | 1,325 | $484 | 285 | $7.4 million |
| Pointe Coupee Parish | 1,301 | $328 | 1,896 | $26.0 million |
| Iberville Parish | 1,255 | $735 | 618 | $13.8 million |
| St. James Parish | 1,089 | $992 | 342 | $7.5 million |
| Cameron Parish | 1,085 | $2,094 | 3,470 | $210.0 million |
| Assumption Parish | 1,033 | $1,108 | 883 | $5.1 million |
| Jefferson Davis Parish | 906 | $1,207 | 313 | $6.2 million |
| Avoyelles Parish | 867 | $366 | 1,652 | $18.1 million |
| Concordia Parish | 761 | $346 | 1,212 | $11.7 million |
| Catahoula Parish | 618 | $322 | 1,627 | $14.7 million |
| Natchitoches Parish | 597 | $535 | 541 | $9.9 million |
| Evangeline Parish | 560 | $703 | 286 | $6.4 million |
| Washington Parish | 554 | $1,002 | 674 | $15.6 million |
| Richland Parish | 513 | $410 | 473 | $11.1 million |
| Beauregard Parish | 305 | $942 | 516 | $8.8 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Louisiana?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Louisiana costs about $1,039 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 Louisiana?
There are about 401,195 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Louisiana, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does Louisiana flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Louisiana have filed 485,743 flood claims, with $21.0 billion paid out. 36,136 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.