Flood insurance in Minnesota

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
6,380
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,183
$87 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$157.3M
across 12,474 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
48%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Minnesota, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2010, with $9.9 million paid on 473 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 / AE48%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C52%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 38% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Minnesota

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding19973,175$60.0 million
Severe flooding2001714$7.4 million
June Midwest Flooding2024117$5.3 million
Flooding1978559$4.5 million
Not a named storm1979869$3.7 million

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Minnesota with detailed pages, by number of policies. 53 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Hennepin County977$795682$4.6 million
Washington County326$1,244533$5.4 million
Clay County199$1,2951,358$13.8 million
Olmsted County176$1,196719$5.3 million
Polk County113$1,2141,455$36.3 million
Mower County82$1,337733$11.2 million
Marshall County23$1,1461,405$6.8 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Minnesota?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Minnesota costs about $1,183 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 Minnesota?

There are about 6,380 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Minnesota, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Minnesota flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Minnesota have filed 12,474 flood claims, with $157.3 million paid out. 718 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.