Short answer: Ada County's FEMA National Risk Index report ranks hazards for Boise tracts. Idaho does not operate a homeowners FAIR Plan—shop admitted markets and surplus lines if needed.
This guide is general information for homeowners and drivers in the Boise area (Ada County). It isn't legal advice or a coverage determination. Your policy wording, underwriting, city and county ordinances, and state insurance and motor-vehicle rules control. Check your address on FEMA's National Risk Index (county report for Ada County) and the Flood Map Service Center.
Local hazards: FEMA National Risk Index for Ada County
Open FEMA's National Risk Index and the Ada County report.
Federal disaster declarations in Ada County
Since 1964, Ada County has been part of 3 federal major disaster declarations, according to FEMA's declarations summaries; by incident type the most common were flood events (2) and fire events (1). The most recent: Flooding, 2017, Wildfires, 2000 and Heavy Rains & Flooding, 1964. FEMA also lists 1 emergency declarations for the county in the same data.
River, gulches and the bench
The City of Boise says its flood threats come from the Boise River, foothills gulches such as Cottonwood Creek, Crane Creek, Hulls Gulch, Sand Creek (Stuart Gulch) and Squaw Creek, and intermittent channels on the upper bench. The city warns that all of them have caused damaging floods before and will again. FEMA issued new flood maps and a Flood Insurance Study for Boise on December 19, 2019, so a zone you looked up years ago may have changed.
Getting a straight answer for your address
Planning and Development Services can tell you whether a property is in a Special Flood Hazard Area and how deep flooding could get, and can give you an elevation certificate if one is on file. Public Works Engineering offers limited on-site advice on protecting a property. Boise takes part in the NFIP and its Community Rating System. Owners without a mortgage aren't required to buy flood insurance, but the city urges every property in the SFHA to carry it.
The 2017 Boise River flood
The 2022 Ada County Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan records that the Boise River stayed above flood stage for 101 days between February and June 2017 (disaster DR-4342), with local streams flooding too. The plan's Boise annex says recent building in hazard areas includes limited development near the river corridor and some in wildfire-risk areas in the foothills on the north and east/southeast sides. It also says housing in one foothills landslide area was abandoned. Homeowners policies cover wildfire but exclude flood and earth movement.
No Idaho FAIR Plan
Idaho does not maintain a state FAIR Plan for homeowners. If admitted markets decline you, use a licensed surplus-lines broker and the Idaho Department of Insurance for consumer help.
Foothills defensible space and canal flooding
Boise foothills parcels should follow local and fire-district defensible-space guidance (vegetation clearance around structures).
Winter icing and pipe claims
Ask whether your homeowners form covers sudden pipe bursts, what temperature setbacks void coverage, and whether a water-leak sensor discount exists.
Auto: Idaho 25/50/15
The Idaho Department of Insurance lists 25/50/15 as the required minimum.
Questions? Contact Alishahi Insurance or call (877) 711-4545. See insurance in Idaho.
Frequently asked questions
Which NRI county covers Boise?
Ada County (16001).
Where do I confirm Idaho auto minimums?
Idaho DOI / DMV publications.
Does a Boise homeowners policy cover flood?
No; flood needs a separate policy.
Alishahi Insurance · 439 N Canon Dr, Penthouse, Beverly Hills, CA 90210 · (877) 711-4545 · CA License #4348151. General information only. This isn't legal, tax or financial advice or a coverage determination. Coverage depends on policy language and underwriting, and rules vary by state.