In Wisconsin, flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster. Flooding can be caused by periods of heavy rain in a short amount of time, large amounts of precipitation, rising levels in lakes and streams, concentrated overland flow, broken water mains, blocked drainage systems, rapid snow melt (particularly when the ground is still frozen) and ice jams. Flood insurance is the primary way to protect the investment made in your home or business from flooding, even if the property is located in a low-risk area adjacent to or outside of the federally mapped floodplain (also called special flood hazard areas, or SFHAs). 

Here are some flood insurance facts: 

• Nationally, on average, 40% of NFIP flood insurance claims come from property owners outside of SFHAs. Based on data from the Southeastern Wisconsin storm event in August 2025, 98% of the federal individual assistance claims were from outside of the SFHAs. 

• Most homeowner insurance policies do not cover flood damage. Flood damage to a home or business can easily total $25,000 or more. Flood insurance is a separate and distinct policy from homeowner’s insurance.  

• Most renter insurance policies alone do not cover loss of contents due to flood damage, but a flood insurance contents policy will. 

• Federal flood insurance is available for properties located inside and outside designated SFHAs. 

• Federal flood insurance is only offered to residents of communities that participate in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).  

• Flood insurance provides broader financial protection than FEMA Disaster assistance and a presidential disaster declaration is not required to file an insurance claim. 

Homeowners and renters interested in purchasing flood insurance to help protect their homes and personal property are encouraged to contact their local insurance agent to ask whether flood insurance policies are available. If a local insurance agent does not offer federal or private flood insurance, additional information about how to obtain a federal policy is available at floodsmart.gov. 

Most NFIP policies include a standard 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, so residents should factor this into their decision to purchase a policy and contact their agent well ahead of the spring and summer– when flooding most commonly occurs in Wisconsin. When flood insurance is acquired at the time of a home purchase, the policy is effective immediately. 

Property owners in SFHAs who have mortgages from federally regulated lenders are required to carry flood insurance. Those who are not required to have coverage may still want to review their individual flood risk when considering whether or not to purchase a flood insurance policy. A home or business owner can ask their local zoning administrator if their structure is in or adjacent to an SFHA or they can go to FEMAs Flood Map Service Center, type in their address into the search box and see for themselves if the property of interest is in or adjacent to a SFHA. Flood risk can be evaluated by asking the following questions: 

• Is the structure in an SFHA? 

• Is the property adjacent to an SFHA? 

• What is the flooding history of the property? 

What does flood insurance cover? 

An NFIP flood insurance policy covers direct physical damage to your home from overland flooding (i.e., building coverage) and can cover your belongings (i.e., contents coverage) if this option has been selected. It is typical for property owners to only get building coverage, which is the minimum coverage required by lenders. 

What does building coverage include? 

Building coverage is also referred to as home and business coverage and includes the following items: 

• Electrical and plumbing systems 

• Furnaces and water heaters 

• Refrigerators, stoves and built-in appliances like dishwashers 

• Permanently installed carpeting 

• Permanently installed cabinets, paneling and bookcases 

• Window blinds 

• Foundation walls, anchorage systems and staircases 

• Detached garages 

• Fuel tanks, well water tanks and pumps and solar energy equipment 

What does contents coverage include? 

Contents coverage is also referred to as belongings coverage. This type of coverage is optional and needs to be added to a building coverage policy. Building coverage and contents coverage are typically purchased separately and have separate deductibles. Contents coverage includes items like: 

• Clothing, furniture and electronic equipment 

• Curtains 

• Washer and dryer 

• Portable and window air conditioners 

• Microwave 

• Carpet installed over wood floors 

• Valuable items such as original artwork and furs (up to $2,500) 

• Merchandise and raw materials held in storage or for sale (for business owners) 

What are ways to reduce a flood insurance premium? 

The cost of flood insurance can be pricy but consider these suggestions to reduce the flood insurance premium: 

• Get an elevation certificate – This certificate documents the elevation of the home and is used to compare the structure's elevation to the estimated base flood elevation. Proving the home is elevated above the current estimated base flood elevation can reduce insurance costs.  

• Elevate the structure – Raising the house above the base flood elevation can reduce the flood insurance premium. 

• Consider mitigation activities – Mitigation is the effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of a flood. Flood mitigation reduces the overall risk of a structure experiencing flood damage and also reduces the severity of flood damage when it occurs. A mitigated structure will have lower flood insurance costs. Mitigation activities to consider include: 

• Elevate utilities – Move utilities like the air conditioner or water heater to a higher location (e.g., attic, extra closet, elevated platform) so they are less likely to be damaged in a flood. If utilities are above the base flood elevation insurance discounts may be available. 
  • Install flood openings – Add an opening or vent in a ground-floor crawlspace to let floodwaters flow through. This will reduce pressure on walls and may reduce insurance costs. 
  • Waterproof or fill in the basement – Homeowners with basements in high risk flood zones may pay 20% more for flood insurance, so filling in the basement could save money. Also, maintain a working sump pump and install a water alarm to protect the existing basement from damage.
  • For information on flood mitigation options for your structure, contact your local zoning administrator or email DNRFloodplain@wisconsin.gov. 

• Encourage your community to join the FEMA Community Rating System (CRS) – Community participation in CRS lowers the NFIP premium rates for all citizens of the community. 

Additional resources on flood insurance and flood risk mitigation are available through the Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance at oci.wi.gov/flood and oci.wi.gov/disasters. In addition, more information about flooding and flood insurance can be found on the DNR’s Floodplain webpage.