Flood insurance in Maine

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
8,541
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$1,561
$291 above the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$87.1M
across 5,672 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
53%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Maine, 2000–2025

The three costliest years. The worst was 2024, with $29.4 million paid on 744 claims.

Insured buildings by flood zone

Zone V / VE6%
Coastal high-hazard areas with wave action. Flood insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone A / AE47%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C47%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 51% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Maine

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding1987539$10.0 million
December Nor'easter2023173$7.5 million
April 2007 Nor'easter2007394$6.9 million
The "Halloween" Storm1991518$4.5 million
Hurricane Irene201119$365 thousand

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Maine with detailed pages, by number of policies. 14 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
York County3,813$1,8502,666$44.7 million
Cumberland County1,584$1,297504$5.5 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Maine?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Maine costs about $1,561 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 Maine?

There are about 8,541 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Maine, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Maine flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Maine have filed 5,672 flood claims, with $87.1 million paid out. 1,293 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.