Most Missouri homeowners don’t carry flood insurance. Many assume they don’t need it because their lender didn’t require it. But a standard homeowners or renters policy does not cover flood damage, and no home is completely safe from flooding. Heavy spring rains, flash flooding along creeks and low-water crossings, and river flooding all cause flood claims across Missouri every year.
At MBG Insurance, we write flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) with Auto-Owners Insurance. Here’s what you need to know before you buy.
What Is the National Flood Insurance Program?
Congress created the National Flood Insurance Program in 1968 so property owners could protect themselves from flood losses. FEMA manages the program.
You can buy NFIP coverage directly from FEMA or through a “Write Your Own” insurance company. Write Your Own companies are private carriers authorized to issue and service NFIP policies in their own name. Auto-Owners is one of these companies. The coverage, policy terms, and rates are the same as a policy bought directly from the NFIP. The difference is that you get Auto-Owners’ service and claims handling, plus your local MBG agent to help you through the process.
What Is a Participating Community?
NFIP flood insurance is only available in communities that participate in the program. A participating community agrees to adopt and enforce floodplain management rules that reduce flood risk for new construction. In exchange, the federal government makes flood insurance available to property owners there. Most cities and counties in Missouri participate.
Do You Need Flood Insurance in Missouri?
Consider these facts:
- Homeowners and renters policies do not cover flood damage.
- More than 20 percent of flood claims come from properties outside high-risk flood zones.
- Just one inch of water in a home can cause about $25,000 in damage.
Without flood insurance, your family may have to pay for repairs out of pocket or take on new loans to rebuild. Federal disaster assistance is only available when the President declares a disaster. Even then, it often comes as a loan you have to repay.
Are You Required to Have Flood Insurance in Missouri?
You are required to carry flood insurance if your home or business is in a high-risk flood zone (a Special Flood Hazard Area) and you have a mortgage from a federally regulated or insured lender.
You may also be required to keep flood coverage if you received federal disaster assistance after a previous flood.
If you’re buying a home, check the flood map before you close so you know whether flood insurance will be required. Even if it isn’t required, it’s worth asking us for a quote.
What Does Missouri Flood Insurance Cover?
An NFIP flood policy has two separate coverages: building and contents. Each has its own limit and deductible. Most lender-required policies cover only the building, so ask about contents coverage too.
Building Coverage protects the structure itself, up to $250,000 for a residential building. Examples include:
- Electrical and plumbing systems
- Furnaces, water heaters, heat pumps, and sump pumps
- Permanently installed carpeting
- Built-in appliances and cabinets
- Foundation walls
Contents Coverage protects your belongings, up to $100,000 for residential policies. Examples include:
- Furniture, clothing, and electronics
- Curtains
- Portable appliances such as washers and dryers
- Certain valuables, subject to special limits
Renters can buy contents-only coverage. Commercial buildings can be insured for up to $500,000 on the building and $500,000 on contents.
What Flood Insurance Doesn’t Cover
The cause of the damage matters. A sewer backup is only covered if it’s caused directly by flooding. Other gaps to know about:
- Mold, mildew, or moisture damage the owner could have prevented
- Earth movement, even if caused by flooding
- Additional living expenses if you’re forced out of your home
- Loss of use of the property
- Business interruption losses
- Most contents and finishes in basements
Read your policy carefully, and ask your agent about any coverage you’re unsure of.
Is There a Waiting Period for Flood Insurance?
Yes. NFIP flood policies generally have a 30-day waiting period before coverage takes effect. You can’t wait until the river is rising or a storm is in the forecast to buy flood insurance.
There are a few exceptions. If flood insurance is required as part of closing a mortgage, coverage can start at closing. If your property was recently remapped into a high-risk zone, a shorter waiting period may apply.
How Is Flood Insurance Priced?
Since 2021, FEMA has rated NFIP policies using a method called Risk Rating 2.0. Instead of relying mainly on your flood zone, it looks at the specific flood risk for your property. Factors include:
- Distance to a river, stream, or other water source
- Your home’s elevation and foundation type
- First-floor height
- The cost to rebuild your home
- Prior flood claims on the property
- The coverage amounts and deductible you choose
Because rates are property-specific, two homes in the same neighborhood can have very different premiums.
What Is a Flood Map?
FEMA works with communities to map flood hazards. These maps help set flood insurance requirements and show your property’s risk. You can look up your property on the FEMA Flood Map Service Center.
Keep in mind that a low-risk zone doesn’t mean no risk. Flood maps change over time, and many Missouri flood claims come from outside the mapped high-risk areas.
Do I Need an Elevation Certificate?
An elevation certificate shows how high your building sits compared to the expected flood level in your area. Under Risk Rating 2.0, an elevation certificate is no longer required to rate most policies. FEMA uses its own data instead.
An elevation certificate is still optional, and it may lower your premium if it shows your home sits higher than FEMA’s data assumes. To find out whether one already exists for your property:
- Ask your local floodplain manager. One may already be on file.
- If you’re buying the home, ask the seller.
- Ask the builder or developer.
- Check your property deed or closing documents.
- Hire a licensed land surveyor, professional engineer, or architect authorized to certify elevation information. There is usually a fee.
Keep Your Policy in Force
Don’t let your flood policy lapse. Under Risk Rating 2.0, current policyholders whose rates are going up move to their full-risk rate gradually each year. If your policy lapses, you can lose that gradual increase and pay the full rate right away when you buy a new policy. If your lender requires flood insurance, a lapse can also lead to lender-placed coverage at a much higher cost.
How to Buy Flood Insurance in Missouri
MBG Insurance writes NFIP flood insurance through Auto-Owners Insurance for homeowners, renters, landlords, and businesses across Missouri. Our agents will help you choose the right building and contents limits, explain your deductible options, and make sure your coverage starts when you need it.
Get your flood insurance quote started here.
Learn more about the National Flood Insurance Program at FloodSmart.gov.
By Brandon Thompson revised 10/16/2026