Alaska flood insurance cost
West region · coastal · FEMA NFIP 2026
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in Alaska is about $428 per year ($36/mo) — that's -56.1% versus the US average of $976, so it is among the lowest average premiums in the country. Alaska ranks #51 of 51 states (and DC) by premium. The NFIP has handled 805 claims here since 1978 (rank #49). Mapped floodplains are dominated by FEMA zones A, AE, X. Your real cost is set per property under Risk Rating 2.0 — use this as a benchmark, not a quote.
Source: FEMA NFIP — Policy Information by State (compiled by NerdWallet, May 2026). Data as of June 2026.
Alaska flood-insurance figures
| Indicator | Alaska |
|---|---|
| Average annual NFIP premium (2026) | $428 ($36/mo) |
| Versus the national average | -56.1% (US avg $976) |
| Premium rank (1 = most expensive of 51) | #51 |
| Total NFIP claims filed (since 1978) | 805 |
| Claims rank (1 = most of 51) | #49 |
| Coastal exposure | Yes (ocean / Gulf / Great Lakes) |
| Dominant FEMA flood zones | A, AE, X |
Source: FEMA NFIP — Policy Information by State (compiled by NerdWallet, May 2026); OpenFEMA — FIMA NFIP Redacted Claims v2. Data as of June 2026.
Sources: FEMA NFIP premium by state · OpenFEMA NFIP claims. Estimate — verify with FEMA or a licensed agent.
What the cost means for Alaska
Alaska's average premium of $428 is among the lowest average premiums in the country. Most of the difference between states comes down to flood risk: coastal storm surge, hurricanes and king tides drive higher expected losses. Since FEMA fully adopted Risk Rating 2.0 in 2023, premiums are priced on each individual property rather than a flat zone rate — so two homes in the same town can pay very different amounts. The 805 NFIP claims paid in Alaska since 1978 put it #49 of 51 for total claim activity.
Flood zones that matter in Alaska
Alaska's mapped floodplains are dominated by these FEMA flood zones. Zones beginning with A or V are high-risk Special Flood Hazard Areas where insurance is usually mandatory with a federally backed mortgage:
- Zone A — High-risk area subject to the 1%-annual-chance flood, with no detailed analysis, so no Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are shown. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- Zone AE — The most common high-risk zone: the base floodplain where Base Flood Elevations (BFEs) are determined and shown on the map. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- Zone X (unshaded) — Minimal-risk area outside the 0.2%-annual-chance (500-year) floodplain; insurance optional and lowest-cost. (not high-risk, insurance optional)
Estimate your premium
Use the flood-insurance calculator to get a rough annual cost for Alaska from your coverage amount and flood zone. For example, $250,000 of building coverage in a Zone A area of Alaska estimates near $428 a year before property-specific Risk Rating 2.0 factors. It is a benchmark, not a quote.
States with similar flood-insurance costs
The five states closest to Alaska on average NFIP premium:
| State | Avg premium | vs US | NFIP claims (since 1978) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska (this state) | $428 | -56.1% | 805 |
| District of Columbia | $463 | -52.6% | 494 |
| Maryland | $505 | -48.3% | 25,355 |
| Utah | $689 | -29.4% | 1,204 |
| South Carolina | $764 | -21.7% | 49,606 |
| Virginia | $765 | -21.6% | 50,566 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Alaska?
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in Alaska is about $428 per year ($36/mo), which is -56.1% versus the US average of $976 — among the lowest average premiums in the country. That ranks Alaska #51 of 51 states and DC by premium. Your own cost depends on your property under Risk Rating 2.0, so treat this as a benchmark, not a quote.
Do I need flood insurance in Alaska?
If your property is in a high-risk Special Flood Hazard Area (FEMA zones beginning with A or V) and you have a federally backed mortgage, flood insurance is mandatory. Alaska's mapped floodplains are dominated by zones A, AE, X. Even outside high-risk zones it is optional but recommended, because roughly a quarter to 40% of NFIP claims come from lower-risk areas.
How many flood insurance claims has Alaska had?
The NFIP has paid out on 805 flood-insurance claims in Alaska since the program's records began in 1978 (OpenFEMA NFIP claims dataset), ranking it #49 of 51. Coastal exposure to hurricanes and storm surge drives most losses here.
Why is flood insurance cheaper in Alaska?
Under FEMA's Risk Rating 2.0, premiums reflect each property's true flood risk — distance to water, flood type, foundation, elevation and rebuild cost. Alaska's average of $428 is among the lowest average premiums in the country, shaped by its coastal storm-surge exposure and the mix of flood zones (A, AE, X). Compare with similar states below.
Keep exploring
Sources & accuracy
Average premium: FEMA NFIP Policy Information by State (2026). Claims: OpenFEMA NFIP claims dataset (since 1978). Flood zones: FEMA. All public domain. The state average is a benchmark — real NFIP pricing is set per property under Risk Rating 2.0. This is general information, not insurance or financial advice; verify with FEMA, FloodSmart.gov or a licensed agent. See our methodology and disclaimer.
Last updated: 2026-06-20