Flood insurance in Iowa

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
9,284
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,374
$104 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$358.2M
across 14,788 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
58%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Iowa, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2008, with $169.2 million paid on 3,267 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 / AE58%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C42%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 40% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Iowa

EventYearClaimsPaid
Storm20081,597$76.7 million
Midwest Flooding19931,393$22.6 million
March 2019 Midwest Flooding2019323$17.8 million
June Midwest Flooding2024159$11.1 million
Late spring storms2011331$9.9 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Iowa with detailed pages, by number of policies. 52 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Polk County1,132$1,2911,550$38.5 million
Linn County1,118$1,4021,351$69.4 million
Scott County710$1,5982,267$34.9 million
Pottawattamie County668$1,060867$11.1 million
Johnson County648$2,276446$31.9 million
Black Hawk County586$9731,472$27.3 million
Bremer County128$1,270643$14.8 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Iowa?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Iowa costs about $1,374 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 Iowa?

There are about 9,284 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Iowa, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Iowa flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Iowa have filed 14,788 flood claims, with $358.2 million paid out. 1,461 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.