Flood insurance in Delaware

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
25,282
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,110
$160 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$91.8M
across 6,339 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
75%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Delaware, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2012, with $18.4 million paid on 1,558 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE5%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE70%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C25%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 30% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Delaware

EventYearClaimsPaid
Hurricane Sandy20121,496$17.5 million
Hurricane Ida202191$7.8 million
Hurricane Floyd1999219$7.1 million
Flooding1998624$4.9 million
Flooding1992590$4.6 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Delaware with detailed pages, by number of policies

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Sussex County21,828$1,0474,307$35.7 million
New Castle County2,578$1,7021,575$51.7 million
Kent County874$984376$3.6 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Delaware?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Delaware costs about $1,110 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 Delaware?

There are about 25,282 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Delaware, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Delaware flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Delaware have filed 6,339 flood claims, with $91.8 million paid out. 438 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.