Home Insurance in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri
Homes in Cape Girardeau County carry a median value of $220,700 - close to the Missouri median.
The typical home in Cape Girardeau County was built around 1982. About 21% of homes were built before 1960, about 7 points below Missouri's 27%. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild.
The housing stock in Cape Girardeau County is 74% single-family homes, 12% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 5% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
61% of owner-occupied homes in Cape Girardeau County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 10%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 67% of occupied homes in Cape Girardeau County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. 48% of homes in Cape Girardeau County are primarily heated with electricity.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Cape Girardeau County's top hazards are earthquake (Relatively Moderate), winter weather (Relatively High) and inland flooding (Relatively Moderate). Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake, so separate coverage is usually needed.
Cape Girardeau County had 101 active National Flood Insurance Program policies as of September 2026. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Missouri is $1,589 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $220,700 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1982 |
| Owner-occupied share | 67% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 61% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Earthquake (Relatively Moderate), Winter Weather (Relatively High), Inland Flooding (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 101 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,589 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)