Flood insurance in Michigan

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

Policies as of 5 September 2026Source: FEMA OpenFEMA
Active flood policies
19,516
NFIP policies in force
Average yearly premium
$908
$362 below the US average
Claims paid since 1978
$150.4M
across 14,954 claims
Policies in high-risk zones
73%
zones A and V, where known

Flood claims paid per year

NFIP claims paid in Michigan, 2000–2026

The three costliest years. The worst was 2020, with $33.8 million paid on 817 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 / AE73%
High-risk areas with a 1% chance of flooding each year. Insurance is required with a federally backed mortgage.
Zone X, B, C27%
Moderate to low risk. Insurance is optional, and policies are usually much cheaper.

Zone not reported for 50% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.

Costliest flood events

Named events by NFIP claims paid in Michigan

EventYearClaimsPaid
Flooding19851,748$6.7 million
2026-04-Flooding2026173$6.4 million
Flooding1986857$5.9 million
Hurricane Ike2008112$1.3 million
Flooding1981283$982 thousand

Flood insurance by county

Counties in Michigan with detailed pages, by number of policies. 51 smaller counties are included in the state totals.

CountyPoliciesAvg premiumClaims since 1978Paid
Wayne County3,760$6252,892$13.7 million
Macomb County1,554$7691,437$9.0 million
Oakland County1,465$662582$5.5 million
St. Clair County1,324$7021,184$5.2 million
Saginaw County1,121$946798$11.8 million
Kent County995$1,303676$10.4 million
Monroe County905$1,1801,672$9.9 million
Ingham County728$1,632397$2.4 million
Washtenaw County616$716133$1.6 million
Bay County455$907515$2.5 million
Midland County323$932547$28.0 million

Common questions

How much does flood insurance cost in Michigan?

The average NFIP flood insurance policy in Michigan costs about $908 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 Michigan?

There are about 19,516 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in Michigan, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.

How often does Michigan flood?

Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in Michigan have filed 14,954 flood claims, with $150.4 million paid out. 3,397 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.