Flood Insurance for Avalon, on the Bay and the Ocean
In March 1962, much of Avalon was under water for four to five days. In 2015 Ocean Drive to Townsends Inlet closed several times for flooding. Every Avalon home is on a barrier island, and most are worth far more than the NFIP’s $250,000 building limit.
Written and reviewed by Nate Feuerman, Stonebrook Insurance
Updated
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Short answers
Do I need flood insurance in Avalon?
Yes. Lenders require it in high-risk zones, and nearly every Avalon home should carry it.
Is the NFIP enough?
Rarely. The NFIP covers the building to $250,000. Most Avalon homes need excess or private flood.
Does flood insurance cover the space under my elevated home?
Only limited items. Enclosures below the base flood elevation have restricted coverage.
How long does coverage take to start?
NFIP policies usually take 30 days.
How Avalon floods.
The Back Bay
Bay-side streets flood with high tides and nor’easters.
The Oceanfront
Surge and waves in hurricanes and strong nor’easters.
Ocean Drive
The road to Townsends Inlet closed several times for flooding in 2015.
Low Points
Rain on a high tide ponds on side streets.
What the water has done here.
From Avalon’s history.
An earlier hurricane takes several streets, per local history.
The Ash Wednesday Storm puts much of the island under water for four to five days.
An 8th Street jetty extension, an artificial reef and beach replenishment protect 8th to 12th Streets.
New jetties at Townsends Inlet.
Flooding closes the causeway north to Townsends Inlet several times.
Insuring an Avalon home to its real value.
An NFIP policy covers the building up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000. For a large Avalon home, that’s a fraction of the rebuild.
Excess flood sits above the NFIP policy. Private flood can carry the full value, contents at replacement cost and living expenses. High-net-worth carriers often place flood with the homeowners policy through Private Client.
Elevation matters most for price. Keep your elevation certificate.
Look up your address
Search your Avalon address on FEMA’s map and send us the zone.
Open FEMA’s flood mapA flood checklist for Avalon.
- 01
Insure to Full Value
NFIP plus excess, or private flood.
- 02
Keep the Elevation Certificate
It sets your price.
- 03
Know What’s Covered Below
Ground-level enclosures have limited coverage.
- 04
Have a Caretaker Check After Storms
Especially in winter.
Insuring an Avalon home?
We’ll quote NFIP, excess and private flood side by side.
What our clients say.
Five-star reviews from Stonebrook clients on Google.
“Stonebrook was so easy to deal with and got me super competitive pricing much faster than other agencies I was dealing with. Highly recommended!”
“I had an excellent experience with Stonebrook Insurance Agency. Rachel went above and beyond to help me find the right coverage, answering all my questions with patience and clarity. She made the process quick, stress-free, and made sure I understood every detail before moving forward. I really appreciated her professionalism and personal touch.”
“Had a great experience with Stonebrook. Nate was very knowledgeable regarding flood insurance on the Jersey Shore. …”
More for Avalon homeowners.
What Avalon homeowners ask us.
How bad was the 1962 storm in Avalon?
Much of the island was under water for four to five days, with serious flooding and coastline loss.
Is excess flood worth it?
For most Avalon homes, yes, because the NFIP stops at $250,000.
Does flood cover my car under the house?
No. Cars are covered by comprehensive on the auto policy.
Neighbors: Stone Harbor, Ocean City.
Sources for this page
Figures come from the sources listed and are dated where the source gives a date. Coverage descriptions are general; your policy wording controls.
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