Why Flood Insurance Still Matters in Michigan
Many Michigan homeowners mistakenly believe that their standard home insurance policy covers flooding. It doesn’t. If your home is in a high-risk flood zone or even near a lake or river, you may need Michigan flood insurance to protect your home and belongings.
Is Flood Insurance Required in Michigan?
Flood insurance is mandatory if your property is located in a FEMA-designated high-risk flood zone and you have a federally backed mortgage. Lenders won’t close on your loan without this coverage if it’s required.
You can verify your flood zone status by checking the FEMA website or contacting your lender.
- Contacting your township’s building official or zoning administrator
- Reviewing FEMA’s digital flood maps: fema.gov/flood-maps
Why Michigan Homeowners Need Flood Insurance
Even if you’re not near a river, many Michigan basements flood due to heavy rain, snowmelt, or poor drainage. A single inch of water can cause over $25,000 in damage, and your homeowners insurance won’t help.
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. Many assume the federal government will provide assistance, but that help is usually in the form of a low-interest loan you must repay. Even if approved, it often doesn’t fully cover your losses.
Flood insurance guarantees your protection against smaller, more frequent flooding events.
Understanding the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) offers standardized flood policies for Michigan residents, covering both structure and contents.
- The federal government sets the premium, ensuring uniformity across all insurers.
- Your local insurance agent can walk you through coverage options and enrollment.
Waiting Periods and Policy Exceptions
Most flood insurance policies include a 30-day waiting period before they become effective. Exceptions include:
- When required by a lender at loan origination or renewal
- When flood maps are revised
- When additional coverage is added to an existing policy
In most cases, you can’t buy flood insurance when a big storm is already in the forecast. That’s why planning ahead matters.
What Does Flood Insurance Cover?
Covered under Michigan flood insurance:
- Home structure and foundation
- Plumbing and electrical systems
- Appliances and permanent fixtures
- Carpeting, paneling, and built-in cabinetry
- Personal property like clothing, furniture, and electronics
Not covered:
- Sewer backups (unless caused by flood). Here’s how to prevent sewer backups
- Mold or mildew damage that could have been prevented by the homeowner
Get a Michigan Flood Insurance Quote
Flood damage can happen quickly. We encourage you to secure your home with flood insurance in Michigan at your earliest convenience.
Latest Flood Insurance Changes in Michigan (2025)
Recent changes to national flood insurance rules and Michigan mapping may affect your coverage or cost. Here’s what to know in 2025:
- FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0: All flood insurance premiums are now based on individual property risk (not just flood zones). Many Michigan homeowners will see minimal increases—or even decreases—based on factors like elevation and proximity to water.
Risk Rating 2.0 is FEMA’s new way of setting flood insurance prices based on your home’s actual flood risk—not just whether you’re in a high-risk zone.
- The authorization for the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) extends until September 30, 2025. Congress may pause new or renewing policies if it does not renew them. Existing policies will remain in effect.
If the program lapses, you won’t be able to buy a new policy, but existing policies will remain in effect and fully active.
- Updated Flood Maps: FEMA is actively modernizing flood maps in many areas. Cass and Van Buren Counties now have new draft maps available for public review and appeal.
- Michigan DIFS Alert: The Department of Insurance & Financial Services urges residents to review coverage, especially since standard policies do not cover floods or sewer backups. We strongly recommend creating a home inventory and comparing options.
Please review your updated flood zone on FEMA’s official map.