The Importance of Purchasing Flood Insurance in Indiana
Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters that occur in the United States, and Indiana experienced 77 flooding or heavy rain events in 2023 alone. According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), $284.07 million of FEMA flood insurance claims have been paid in Indiana since 1978. There are more than 2.5 million households in Indiana, but only 16,701 insurance policies in effect, per FEMA. Despite the severe financial harm flooding hazards present, only 1 percent of the state's households are covered.
In an effort to reduce the number of homes financially devastated by flooding, the Indiana Department of Homeland Security (IDHS), Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Indiana Department of Insurance and FEMA encourage all Hoosier homeowners and renters to purchase flood insurance protection. While purchasing flood insurance might seem costly, the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is available to help provide citizens affordable flood insurance coverage (up to $350,000 for residential policies) based on the area they live in.