Louisiana Flood Insurance: Complete Guide for Homeowners in 2025

Louisiana is one of the most flood-prone states, especially during hurricane season. More than 477,000 homes in Louisiana are at a substantial risk of flooding, according to 2020 data from the First Street Foundation. By 2050, an estimated 810,000 homes will be at risk.1

Because regular home insurance policies exclude coverage for flood damage, many Louisiana homeowners can benefit from having flood insurance. If you live in a flood zone, your mortgage lender may require you to buy it.

Here’s what you need to know about how Louisiana flood insurance works, how much it costs, and where you can purchase a policy.

Cost of flood insurance in Louisiana

The cost of flood insurance in Louisiana depends on various factors. Some of the criteria used to calculate insurance premiums include the ZIP code, the likelihood of floods occurring in the area, the property’s elevation, and the replacement cost value of the home. The combined factors determine a risk rating that influences your premium.

The median cost of flood insurance for a single-family home in Louisiana is $1,470 per year, according to the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). In comparison, the U.S. median flood insurance premium is $1,290 per year.

Below, you can see the average annual flood insurance costs in the 64 Louisiana parishes. Homeowners in Catahoula, Caldwell, and Concordia parishes pay the lowest rates on average, while people in Plaquemines, Cameron, and St. Mary pay the most.

Do you need flood insurance in Louisiana?

Flood insurance in Louisiana isn’t a legal requirement. But if you own a home in a high-risk area or flood zone, many mortgage companies will require you to carry flood insurance. Even if your home isn’t in a high-risk flood zone, purchasing flood insurance can still be a good investment.

Nearly all standard homeowners insurance policies exclude coverage for flood-related damage, even if a natural disaster causes the damage. Louisiana is susceptible to flooding from heavy rain, hurricanes, storm surges, and levee failures, but your home insurance won’t cover any flood damage to your home or personal items.

Having flood insurance fills the gap in your home insurance policy and provides financial protection if a flood damages or destroys your home.

How to determine your flood risk

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) designates flood zones based on the level of flood risk in a given area.

Here are the different zone classifications and what they mean:

• Zone A: This zone has the highest risk of flooding. Homeowners in Zone A typically need to purchase flood insurance as a mortgage requirement.

• Zone V: Homes in Zone V are near the coast and are at additional flood risk from storm waves. So, homeowners in Zone V usually need flood insurance.

• Zone D: Flood risk in Zone D is undetermined.

• Zones B and X (shaded): In Zones B and X, homes have a moderate risk of flooding. Homeowners generally don’t need to have flood insurance.

• Zones C and X (unshaded): Zones C and X have the lowest risk of flooding. Homeowners don’t need to carry flood insurance as a requirement from their mortgage lender.3

What flood insurance covers in Louisiana

Regular home insurance policies don’t cover flooding and flood-related perils. To protect your home against flooding, you must purchase a separate Louisiana flood insurance policy.

Here’s what flood insurance covers:

What flood insurance doesn’t cover

Flood insurance doesn’t cover everything. An NFIP flood insurance policy doesn’t cover the following:4

• Additional living expenses

• Temporary housing

• Landscaping

• Septic systems

• Pools and hot tubs

• Fencing

• Patios and decks

• Business interruption

• Personal items stored in basements

• Cars

How to buy flood insurance in Louisiana

Homeowners in Louisiana have two options for purchasing flood insurance. You can get coverage through the NFIP or buy a policy through a private insurance company.

These two options have several differences. NFIP flood insurance is a federally backed program, whereas private insurance companies underwrite private flood insurance policies. Additionally, private flood insurance tends to provide higher policy limits and additional coverages, like temporary living expenses.6 You might also find that private flood insurance is cheaper, and you may qualify for discounts.

To purchase flood insurance coverage through the NFIP, you can search online for insurers that sell coverage in Louisiana. To get private flood insurance, you’ll need to research local insurance companies that offer private flood policies.

Tips for filing a flood insurance claim in Louisiana

To file a flood insurance claim in Louisiana, here are the steps you should follow:

1. Document the damage. When it’s safe, document the damage to the structure of your home and personal belongings. Take photos and write down exactly what happened and what the flooding damaged.

2. Contact your insurance company. Contact your flood insurance company and start the claim process. You’ll need to provide information about the claim, fill out some paperwork, and give a detailed description of the event. You should also share the photos you took.

3. Make temporary repairs. If necessary, make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. Keep receipts for any materials you purchased, as you can include them in your claim to receive reimbursement for those costs.

4. Meet with an adjuster. Depending on the extent of the damage, your insurance company might send out an adjuster to see the damage in person. This helps them better understand how much the repairs will cost.

5. Receive your settlement. The adjuster will investigate your claim and keep you updated on the progress. You’ll receive a settlement for the estimated cost of repairs, minus any deductibles.

Average cost of home insurance in Louisiana

Louisiana homeowners pay an annual average of $5,136 for a policy with $300,000 dwelling coverage — nearly double the national average of $2,532 with the same coverage, according to Insurify data.

It’s important to compare rates from multiple insurers so you can find affordable coverage that suits your needs. The table below shows the cheapest annual average rates from various insurance companies.

Louisiana flood insurance FAQs