Flood insurance in New Mexico

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
13,786
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,160
$110 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$41.9M
across 1,938 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
78%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in New Mexico, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2024, with $15.9 million paid on 296 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 / AE78%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C22%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 61% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in New Mexico

EventYearClaimsPaid
2025 July NM Flooding202568$7.1 million
Flooding198414$13 thousand
Tropical Storm Harold20231$0

Flood insurance by county

Counties in New Mexico with detailed pages, by number of policies. 16 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
San Miguel County2,579$1,407139$824 thousand
Valencia County2,252$925125$982 thousand
Mora County1,532$1,75264$478 thousand
Bernalillo County1,263$730173$1.4 million
Doña Ana County1,089$914208$4.9 million
Otero County924$999130$1.5 million
Lea County775$858208$931 thousand
Sandoval County594$85851$359 thousand

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in New Mexico?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in New Mexico costs about $1,160 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 Mexico?

There are about 13,786 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in New Mexico, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does New Mexico flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in New Mexico have filed 1,938 flood claims, with $41.9 million paid out. 649 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.