Flood insurance in New York
Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for New York, county by county, from official FEMA records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in New York, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2012, with $4.2 billion paid on 57,991 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 35% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in New York
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012 | 57,405 | $4.2 billion |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011 | 14,744 | $348.7 million |
| Tropical Storm Lee | 2011 | 3,159 | $160.3 million |
| Hurricane Ida | 2021 | 3,355 | $151.3 million |
| December Storm - Nor'easter | 1992 | 9,061 | $108.6 million |
Flood insurance by county
Counties in New York with detailed pages, by number of policies. 33 smaller counties are included in the state totals.
| County | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nassau County | 40,928 | $1,534 | 51,523 | $2.3 billion |
| Suffolk County | 28,748 | $1,556 | 33,936 | $1.1 billion |
| Queens County | 19,577 | $1,449 | 14,948 | $707.5 million |
| Kings County | 18,686 | $1,558 | 6,319 | $329.9 million |
| New York County | 14,912 | $3,822 | 1,498 | $120.8 million |
| Westchester County | 8,404 | $1,419 | 12,259 | $272.8 million |
| Richmond County | 6,079 | $1,003 | 19,422 | $282.2 million |
| Bronx County | 3,217 | $1,458 | 1,945 | $27.4 million |
| Orange County | 1,710 | $1,541 | 2,032 | $26.8 million |
| Broome County | 1,563 | $1,543 | 3,103 | $138.3 million |
| Erie County | 1,508 | $1,123 | 2,483 | $12.8 million |
| Rockland County | 1,356 | $1,386 | 3,480 | $45.4 million |
| Monroe County | 1,334 | $1,239 | 828 | $5.0 million |
| Dutchess County | 1,327 | $1,464 | 765 | $14.0 million |
| Onondaga County | 1,273 | $1,367 | 970 | $8.6 million |
| Ulster County | 1,067 | $1,725 | 1,279 | $30.2 million |
| Saratoga County | 711 | $1,387 | 581 | $8.1 million |
| Albany County | 698 | $1,349 | 377 | $4.7 million |
| Tioga County | 679 | $2,023 | 1,558 | $61.3 million |
| Delaware County | 649 | $2,099 | 1,291 | $39.6 million |
| Rensselaer County | 644 | $2,313 | 475 | $5.8 million |
| Oneida County | 557 | $1,429 | 1,069 | $16.2 million |
| Niagara County | 532 | $965 | 184 | $826 thousand |
| Steuben County | 529 | $1,276 | 375 | $2.1 million |
| Greene County | 427 | $2,328 | 587 | $19.1 million |
| Chautauqua County | 417 | $1,249 | 1,803 | $10.0 million |
| Sullivan County | 413 | $1,674 | 945 | $16.2 million |
| Chenango County | 376 | $1,690 | 632 | $11.4 million |
| Schoharie County | 329 | $1,694 | 666 | $31.4 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in New York?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in New York costs about $1,541 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 York?
There are about 166,009 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in New York, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does New York flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in New York have filed 175,430 flood claims, with $5.7 billion paid out. 11,946 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.