Flood insurance in New Jersey
Flood insurance policies, average premiums, flood zones and claims history for New Jersey, county by county, from official FEMA records.
Flood claims paid per year
NFIP claims paid in New Jersey, 2000–2026
The three costliest years. The worst was 2012, with $4.4 billion paid on 75,727 claims.
Insured buildings by flood zone
Zone not reported for 25% of policies; shares are of policies with a known zone.
Costliest flood events
Named events by NFIP claims paid in New Jersey
| Event | Year | Claims | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hurricane Sandy | 2012 | 74,983 | $4.4 billion |
| Hurricane Irene | 2011 | 18,125 | $599.5 million |
| Hurricane Ida | 2021 | 7,034 | $353.8 million |
| December Storm - Nor'easter | 1992 | 16,585 | $179.7 million |
| April 2007 Nor'easter | 2007 | 6,522 | $154.1 million |
Flood insurance by county
Counties in New Jersey with detailed pages, by number of policies. 1 smaller counties are included in the state totals.
| County | Policies | Avg premium | Claims since 1978 | Paid |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape May County | 47,921 | $1,429 | 28,016 | $414.6 million |
| Ocean County | 40,623 | $1,262 | 52,884 | $2.6 billion |
| Hudson County | 24,184 | $5,095 | 5,198 | $177.3 million |
| Atlantic County | 22,888 | $1,545 | 20,909 | $493.9 million |
| Monmouth County | 19,776 | $1,265 | 20,039 | $937.5 million |
| Bergen County | 10,391 | $2,308 | 14,477 | $432.4 million |
| Union County | 4,402 | $1,748 | 7,525 | $163.8 million |
| Essex County | 4,188 | $1,743 | 5,845 | $164.2 million |
| Burlington County | 3,225 | $1,686 | 2,180 | $29.4 million |
| Middlesex County | 3,084 | $1,785 | 5,251 | $164.6 million |
| Passaic County | 2,815 | $2,442 | 14,385 | $316.7 million |
| Morris County | 2,787 | $2,215 | 9,463 | $201.0 million |
| Somerset County | 1,760 | $2,161 | 6,502 | $239.8 million |
| Camden County | 1,595 | $1,520 | 1,329 | $8.6 million |
| Salem County | 1,562 | $1,084 | 824 | $9.2 million |
| Mercer County | 1,521 | $1,801 | 2,432 | $48.4 million |
| Gloucester County | 914 | $1,381 | 709 | $4.8 million |
| Hunterdon County | 758 | $2,667 | 1,572 | $39.6 million |
| Cumberland County | 434 | $1,328 | 756 | $12.8 million |
| Warren County | 413 | $2,321 | 1,273 | $32.6 million |
Common questions
How much does flood insurance cost in New Jersey?
The average NFIP flood insurance policy in New Jersey costs about $1,622 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 New Jersey?
There are about 195,434 National Flood Insurance Program policies in force in New Jersey, according to FEMA's latest policy data. Private flood policies are not included.
How often does New Jersey flood?
Since 1978, NFIP policyholders in New Jersey have filed 202,340 flood claims, with $6.5 billion paid out. 12,846 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.