Flood insurance in New Hampshire

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
7,310
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,685
$415 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$67.1M
across 4,423 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
69%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in New Hampshire, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2006, with $13.8 million paid on 594 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE2%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE67%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C31%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 39% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in New Hampshire

EventYearClaimsPaid
Hurricane Irene2011143$3.3 million
Flooding1996204$1.9 million
The "Halloween" Storm1991239$1.8 million
March 2010 Nor'easter2010132$1.3 million
Flooding1987242$1.2 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in New Hampshire with detailed pages, by number of policies. 7 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Rockingham County3,809$1,7052,165$30.9 million
Hillsborough County910$1,425629$10.4 million
Grafton County782$2,107363$4.7 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in New Hampshire?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in New Hampshire costs about $1,685 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 New Hampshire?

There are about 7,310 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in New Hampshire, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does New Hampshire flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in New Hampshire have filed 4,423 flood claims, with $67.1 million paid out. 688 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.