Flood insurance in Massachusetts

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
57,886
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,699
$429 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$441.4M
across 35,375 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
78%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Massachusetts, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2018, with $56.3 million paid on 2,047 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE11%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE67%
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 41% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Massachusetts

EventYearClaimsPaid
The "Halloween" Storm19914,263$81.9 million
Hurricane Bob19912,847$43.4 million
March 2010 Nor'easter20101,913$24.3 million
Flooding19782,333$19.8 million
December Storm - Nor'easter19922,132$17.8 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Massachusetts with detailed pages, by number of policies. 2 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Barnstable County9,819$1,6623,184$43.0 million
Suffolk County9,736$2,2984,369$29.0 million
Essex County8,922$1,8605,456$94.1 million
Plymouth County8,223$1,60210,959$153.2 million
Middlesex County7,105$1,3223,752$36.4 million
Norfolk County5,708$1,4803,262$25.9 million
Bristol County3,291$1,5881,558$13.7 million
Worcester County1,523$1,360765$12.6 million
Dukes County918$2,019160$1.7 million
Nantucket County851$2,245602$17.6 million
Hampden County623$1,992279$2.7 million
Berkshire County550$1,956388$3.1 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Massachusetts?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Massachusetts costs about $1,699 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 Massachusetts?

There are about 57,886 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Massachusetts, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Massachusetts flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Massachusetts have filed 35,375 flood claims, with $441.4 million paid out. 3,428 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.