Virginia flood insurance cost
South region · coastal · FEMA NFIP 2026
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in Virginia is about $765 per year ($64/mo) — that's -21.6% versus the US average of $976, so it is below the national average premium. Virginia ranks #46 of 51 states (and DC) by premium. The NFIP has handled 50,566 claims here since 1978 (rank #12). Mapped floodplains are dominated by FEMA zones AE, VE, A, 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.
Virginia flood-insurance figures
| Indicator | Virginia |
|---|---|
| Average annual NFIP premium (2026) | $765 ($64/mo) |
| Versus the national average | -21.6% (US avg $976) |
| Premium rank (1 = most expensive of 51) | #46 |
| Total NFIP claims filed (since 1978) | 50,566 |
| Claims rank (1 = most of 51) | #12 |
| Coastal exposure | Yes (ocean / Gulf / Great Lakes) |
| Dominant FEMA flood zones | AE, VE, A, 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 Virginia
Virginia's average premium of $765 is below the national average premium. 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 50,566 NFIP claims paid in Virginia since 1978 put it #12 of 51 for total claim activity.
Flood zones that matter in Virginia
Virginia'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 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 VE — Coastal high-risk zone with wave-velocity hazard where Base Flood Elevations are determined; highest-cost zone. (high-risk, insurance usually mandatory)
- 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 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 Virginia from your coverage amount and flood zone. For example, $250,000 of building coverage in a Zone AE area of Virginia estimates near $765 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 Virginia on average NFIP premium:
| State | Avg premium | vs US | NFIP claims (since 1978) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virginia (this state) | $765 | -21.6% | 50,566 |
| South Carolina | $764 | -21.7% | 49,606 |
| Hawaii | $823 | -15.7% | 6,250 |
| Delaware | $827 | -15.3% | 6,334 |
| Utah | $689 | -29.4% | 1,204 |
| Michigan | $854 | -12.5% | 14,921 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does flood insurance cost in Virginia?
The average NFIP flood-insurance premium in Virginia is about $765 per year ($64/mo), which is -21.6% versus the US average of $976 — below the national average premium. That ranks Virginia #46 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 Virginia?
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. Virginia's mapped floodplains are dominated by zones AE, VE, A, 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 Virginia had?
The NFIP has paid out on 50,566 flood-insurance claims in Virginia since the program's records began in 1978 (OpenFEMA NFIP claims dataset), ranking it #12 of 51. Coastal exposure to hurricanes and storm surge drives most losses here.
Why is flood insurance cheaper in Virginia?
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. Virginia's average of $765 is below the national average premium, shaped by its coastal storm-surge exposure and the mix of flood zones (AE, VE, A, 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