Flood insurance in Maryland
Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for Maryland, county by county, from official FEMA records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in Maryland, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2003, with $175.4 million paid on 6,581 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 28% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in Maryland
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Isabel | 2003 | 6,271 | $173.7 million |
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012 | 1,616 | $21.3 million |
| Hurricane Fran | 1996 | 741 | $5.8 million |
| Mid-spring storms | 2014 | 199 | $5.6 million |
| Flooding | 1996 | 382 | $4.8 million |
Flood insurance by county
Counties in Maryland with detailed pages, by number of policies. 5 smaller counties are included in the state totals.
| County | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Worcester County | 29,199 | $1,320 | 2,519 | $19.5 million |
| Anne Arundel County | 5,264 | $485 | 2,825 | $53.1 million |
| Baltimore County | 3,399 | $668 | 3,366 | $70.3 million |
| Baltimore city | 3,305 | $2,167 | 1,065 | $26.7 million |
| Prince George's County | 3,180 | $759 | 1,158 | $7.9 million |
| Queen Anne's County | 2,136 | $500 | 1,073 | $15.4 million |
| Montgomery County | 2,121 | $446 | 776 | $4.8 million |
| Somerset County | 1,964 | $519 | 1,260 | $15.1 million |
| Talbot County | 1,924 | $448 | 677 | $14.2 million |
| Dorchester County | 1,565 | $480 | 1,142 | $21.7 million |
| St. Mary's County | 1,046 | $707 | 613 | $11.2 million |
| Howard County | 991 | $557 | 422 | $15.8 million |
| Cecil County | 843 | $971 | 703 | $14.3 million |
| Harford County | 802 | $948 | 353 | $4.0 million |
| Calvert County | 751 | $620 | 559 | $9.6 million |
| Wicomico County | 667 | $801 | 244 | $6.0 million |
| Frederick County | 585 | $812 | 271 | $2.1 million |
| Charles County | 576 | $651 | 361 | $6.5 million |
| Kent County | 572 | $556 | 341 | $8.9 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Maryland?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Maryland costs about $817 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 Maryland?
There are about 61,818 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Maryland, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does Maryland flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Maryland have filed 25,376 flood claims, with $341.2 million paid out. 2,720 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.