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Average homeowners insurance cost in October 2024
The average cost of homeowners insurance in the U.S. is $2,285 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. However, your actual rates may vary depending on several factors.
Powered by Coverage.com (NPN: 19966249)
Coverage.com, LLC is a licensed insurance producer (NPN: 19966249). Coverage.com services are only available in states where it is licensed. Coverage.com may not offer insurance coverage in all states or scenarios. All insurance products are governed by the terms in the applicable insurance policy, and all related decisions (such as approval for coverage, premiums, commissions and fees) and policy obligations are the sole responsibility of the underwriting insurer. The information on this site does not modify any insurance policy terms in any way.
How much is home insurance?
The national average cost of home insurance is $2,285 per year for a policy with a $300,000 dwelling limit. This evens out to about $190 per month. But these are just average figures — what you pay for your policy will likely be different. Just as coverage needs vary across individual homeowners, so will costs. Factors like where you live, how old your home is, your deductible, policy limits, square footage and cost of building materials (to name just a few) are also part of the equation. If you have a loan on your home, your mortgage lender may also get a say in home insurance coverage requirements and whether or not you need a flood policy as well.
Key insights from Bankrate's 2024 home insurance rates analysis:
- On average, the most expensive states for homeowners insurance are Nebraska, Florida and Oklahoma, while the least expensive states are Vermont, Delaware and New Hampshire.
- While inflation has slowed down since its peak in June 2022, insurance rates are reactionary. The cost of home insurance is still increasing due to the impact inflation has had on the previous losses experienced by the insurance company, the elevated cost of building materials and the high likelihood of future extreme weather-related losses.
- According to our research,Lititz Mutual, Selective and Buckeye State Mutual offer some of the lowest average home insurance rates for $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
- On average, homeowners with poor credit histories pay 92 percent more for home insurance than homeowners with excellent credit.
Why you can trust Bankrate
Read our full methodologyExperience is the key to our insight at Bankrate. Licensed agents are a part of our insurance editorial staff, using decades of combined industry knowledge to provide accurate and in-depth content on various insurance subjects. With access to proprietary premium data from Quadrant Information Services, we use our expertise to analyze and transcribe this data into meaningful insights for our readers. The insurance landscape can be confusing, but Bankrate is here with current and accurate information that may help you make effective coverage decisions.
46
years of industry expertise
122
carriers reviewed
34.5K
ZIP codes examined
1.2M
quotes analyzed
How much does home insurance cost in my state?
To get a better sense of what your home policy might cost, it could help to review average home insurance rates in your state. Some states may not face a high risk of natural disasters, while others have a cheaper cost of living that makes it more affordable to rebuild after a claim. Based on Bankrate’s analysis of average home insurance costs, policies with $300,000 in dwelling coverage can cost less than $1,000 per year, as seen in Vermont, Delaware and New Hampshire, but cost well over $5,000 a year in states like Nebraska and Florida. In the map below, click or hover to see the average home insurance costs in each state.
Average home insurance cost by state
The average annual home insurance premium for a home with a dwelling coverage amount of $300,000.
|
|
|
|
---|---|---|---|
Average annual premium
$2,745
|
Average monthly premium
$229
|
Difference from national average
+ $460 |
|
Average annual premium
$986
|
Average monthly premium
$82
|
Difference from national average
- $1,300 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,163
|
Average monthly premium
$180
|
Difference from national average
- $123 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,913
|
Average monthly premium
$243
|
Difference from national average
+ $627 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,480
|
Average monthly premium
$123
|
Difference from national average
- $806 |
|
Average annual premium
$3,222
|
Average monthly premium
$268
|
Difference from national average
+ $936 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,720
|
Average monthly premium
$143
|
Difference from national average
- $566 |
|
Average annual premium
$966
|
Average monthly premium
$81
|
Difference from national average
- $1,319 |
|
Average annual premium
$5,527
|
Average monthly premium
$461
|
Difference from national average
+ $3,242 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,071
|
Average monthly premium
$173
|
Difference from national average
- $214 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,191
|
Average monthly premium
$99
|
Difference from national average
- $1,095 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,282
|
Average monthly premium
$107
|
Difference from national average
- $1,003 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,272
|
Average monthly premium
$189
|
Difference from national average
- $14 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,724
|
Average monthly premium
$144
|
Difference from national average
- $562 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,228
|
Average monthly premium
$186
|
Difference from national average
- $58 |
|
Average annual premium
$4,241
|
Average monthly premium
$353
|
Difference from national average
+ $1,956 |
|
Average annual premium
$3,277
|
Average monthly premium
$273
|
Difference from national average
+ $991 |
|
Average annual premium
$4,296
|
Average monthly premium
$358
|
Difference from national average
+ $2,011 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,227
|
Average monthly premium
$102
|
Difference from national average
- $1,059 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,537
|
Average monthly premium
$128
|
Difference from national average
- $749 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,660
|
Average monthly premium
$138
|
Difference from national average
- $625 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,873
|
Average monthly premium
$156
|
Difference from national average
- $413 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,578
|
Average monthly premium
$215
|
Difference from national average
+ $292 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,820
|
Average monthly premium
$235
|
Difference from national average
+ $535 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,101
|
Average monthly premium
$175
|
Difference from national average
- $185 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,606
|
Average monthly premium
$217
|
Difference from national average
+ $320 |
|
Average annual premium
$5,652
|
Average monthly premium
$471
|
Difference from national average
+ $3,367 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,097
|
Average monthly premium
$91
|
Difference from national average
- $1,189 |
|
Average annual premium
$980
|
Average monthly premium
$82
|
Difference from national average
- $1,305 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,161
|
Average monthly premium
$97
|
Difference from national average
- $1,124 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,071
|
Average monthly premium
$173
|
Difference from national average
- $215 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,735
|
Average monthly premium
$145
|
Difference from national average
- $550 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,435
|
Average monthly premium
$203
|
Difference from national average
+ $149 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,822
|
Average monthly premium
$235
|
Difference from national average
+ $536 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,316
|
Average monthly premium
$110
|
Difference from national average
- $969 |
|
Average annual premium
$4,833
|
Average monthly premium
$403
|
Difference from national average
+ $2,547 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,015
|
Average monthly premium
$85
|
Difference from national average
- $1,271 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,204
|
Average monthly premium
$100
|
Difference from national average
- $1,082 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,064
|
Average monthly premium
$172
|
Difference from national average
- $221 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,368
|
Average monthly premium
$197
|
Difference from national average
+ $82 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,838
|
Average monthly premium
$236
|
Difference from national average
+ $552 |
|
Average annual premium
$2,312
|
Average monthly premium
$193
|
Difference from national average
+ $26 |
|
Average annual premium
$3,916
|
Average monthly premium
$326
|
Difference from national average
+ $1,631 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,246
|
Average monthly premium
$104
|
Difference from national average
- $1,039 |
|
Average annual premium
$806
|
Average monthly premium
$67
|
Difference from national average
- $1,480 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,546
|
Average monthly premium
$129
|
Difference from national average
- $740 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,426
|
Average monthly premium
$119
|
Difference from national average
- $859 |
|
Average annual premium
$995
|
Average monthly premium
$83
|
Difference from national average
- $1,291 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,176
|
Average monthly premium
$98
|
Difference from national average
- $1,110 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,352
|
Average monthly premium
$113
|
Difference from national average
- $933 |
|
Average annual premium
$1,377
|
Average monthly premium
$115
|
Difference from national average
- $909 |
What are the five cheapest states for homeowners insurance?
The states with the least expensive average annual homeowners insurance premiums are Vermont, Delaware, New Hampshire, Alaska and West Virginia. Getting familiar with home average home insurance costs in these states can help you plan your budget. Below, you can see the average cost of home insurance coverage in these states and how the prices compare to the national average.
- Vermont: $806 per year — 65 percent below national average
- Delaware: $966 per year — 58 percent below national average
- New Hampshire: $980 per year — 57 percent below national average
- Alaska: $986 per year — 57 percent below national average
- West Virginia: $995 per year — 56 percent below national average
*Rates are for $300,000 in dwelling coverage
What are the five most expensive states for homeowners insurance?
The states with the most expensive average annual home insurance premiums are Nebraska, Florida, Oklahoma, Louisiana and Kansas. In each of these states, the average price of home insurance exceeds $4,000 per year, and in the two most expensive states — Nebraska and Florida — homeowners pay over $5,000 per year, on average. The higher rates are likely due to a higher risk of widespread home damage; many of these states are in an area of the country where tornado damage is relatively common. The average cost of homeowners insurance in these states is outlined below.
- Nebraska: $5,652 per year — 147 percent above national average
- Florida: $5,527 per year — 142 percent above national average
- Oklahoma: $4,833 per year — 111 percent above national average
- Louisiana: $4,296 per year — 88 percent above national average
- Kansas: $4,241 per year — 86 percent above national average
Average cost of home insurance by city
City
|
Average annual rate
|
Average monthly rate
|
Percent difference from national average
|
---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles, CA | $1,910 | $159 | 16 percent less |
Chicago, IL | $2,781 | $232 | 22 percent more |
Houston, TX | $5,451 | $454 | 139 percent more |
Phoenix, AZ | $2,577 | $215 | 13 percent more |
Dallas, TX | $3,664 | $305 | 60 percent more |
Austin, TX | $2,452 | $204 | 7 percent more |
Fort Worth, TX | $3,867 | $322 | 69 percent more |
Columbus, OH | $1,338 | $112 | 41 percent less |
Charlotte, NC | $1,729 | $144 | 24 percent less |
Indianapolis, IN | $1,905 | $159 | 17 percent less |
Seattle, WA | $1,392 | $116 | 39 percent less |
Denver, CO | $3,457 | $288 | 51 percent more |
Washington, D.C. | $1,377 | $115 | 40 percent less |
Nashville, TN | $2,250 | $187 | 2 percent less |
Detroit, MI | $3,173 | $264 | 39 percent more |
Las Vegas, NV | $1,160 | $97 | 49 percent less |
Oklahoma City, OK | $5,561 | $463 | 143 percent more |
Portland, OR | $940 | $78 | 59 percent less |
Memphis, TN | $3,085 | $257 | 35 percent more |
Baltimore, MD | $1,643 | $137 | 28 percent less |
Geographic location typically impacts your insurance rates because every area of the country has a different risk level for damage. Some areas may have a higher risk of wind damage, for example, while other areas often sustain damage from fires.
- Weather- and location-related risks: Standard homeowners policies generally do not cover flood damage or damage from earthquakes. In fact, some insurance companies do not cover homes in flood zones at all. Other insurance companies sell private flood insurance or offer earthquake coverage as standalone policies or optional endorsements.
- Fire risk: According to Triple-I, structure fires caused around $10.5 billion worth of residential home damage in 2022, the most recent year data are available. Insurance companies assign homeowners premiums based on proximity to a fire station and fire hydrants because rapid emergency response often minimizes damage.
- Property crime risk: If your home is in a neighborhood prone to frequent crime, like vandalism and break-ins, it could be considered high risk, which can negatively impact your insurance rates. Depending on the discounts available from your insurance carrier, installing additional safety features in your home, such as deadbolts and a security alarm system, may help you offset the higher premium.
How much does home insurance cost by company?
Home insurance is a multi-faceted product with many factors influencing your policy premium. Aside from location, claim history, square footage and other rating factors, the amount of coverage you purchase and the company you choose may also impact the price of your policy. While $300,000 in dwelling coverage may be appropriate for some homeowners, it could be insufficient or too high for others. Some home insurance companies may use the age of your roof as a strong rating factor while others are more concerned with your home's proximity to the fire department.
Below, our insurance editorial team has listed average rates from some of the most prominent insurance companies. To help you pinpoint the cheapest home insurance company for your coverage needs, our table includes average insurance rates for policies with a $300K, $350K and $450K dwelling coverage limit.
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$1,448
|
$121
|
|
$1,955
|
$163
|
|
$1,871
|
$156
|
|
$3,524
|
$294
|
|
$1,876
|
$156
|
|
$1,691
|
$141
|
|
$1,699
|
$142
|
|
$2,288
|
$191
|
|
$2,647
|
$221
|
|
$2,411
|
$201
|
|
$2,935
|
$245
|
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$1,603
|
$134
|
|
$2,152
|
$179
|
|
$2,034
|
$169
|
|
$3,853
|
$321
|
|
$2,071
|
$173
|
|
$1,862
|
$155
|
|
$1,908
|
$159
|
|
$2,553
|
$213
|
|
$3,028
|
$252
|
|
$2,760
|
$230
|
|
$3,251
|
$271
|
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$1,918
|
$160
|
|
$2,577
|
$215
|
|
$2,522
|
$210
|
|
$4,553
|
$379
|
|
$2,473
|
$206
|
|
$2,195
|
$183
|
|
$2,265
|
$189
|
|
$3,072
|
$256
|
|
$3,819
|
$318
|
|
$3,494
|
$291
|
|
$3,829
|
$319
|
Top 5 least expensive companies for home insurance
- USAA: $1,448 — 37 percent less than the national average
- Auto-Owners: $1,681 — 26 percent less than the national average
- American Family: $1,691 — 26 percent less than the national average
- Nationwide: $1,699 — 26 percent less than the national average
- Erie: $1,871 — 18 percent less than the national average
*Rates are for $300,000 in dwelling coverage
Home insurance rating factors
The purpose of insurance is to transfer the bulk of financial risk to another entity (an insurance provider) to make a potential loss more manageable for the policyholder. In simpler terms, it’s cheaper to pay insurance premiums than it is to rebuild your home from the ground up. Factors that increase or decrease the amount of risk the insurance company assumes can heavily influence insurance premiums. Understanding the most influential factors that impact your home insurance rates may help you save money when purchasing a new home or starting a policy with a new insurance provider.
Average home insurance cost by dwelling coverage amount
Dwelling insurance — also known as coverage A — is the limit your insurance company will pay to repair or rebuild your home’s physical structure when damaged by a covered peril. Having the appropriate level of coverage may help financially protect one of your biggest financial assets. If you have a mortgage on your home, your financial lender may have certain minimum dwelling coverage requirements you must fulfill as a condition of your loan.
It is also important to note that other parts of your insurance policy, such as other structures, personal property and loss of use — typically listed as coverage B, C and D, respectively — are usually based on percentages of the dwelling coverage. For example, if you have $200,000 worth of insurance for dwelling coverage, you probably have $20,000 or 10 percent of coverage A allotted for other structures coverage. Depending on your state, you may also have separate deductibles for wind or other storm damage. That additional deductible will also likely be calculated as a percentage of your dwelling coverage.
While selecting lower coverage limits may save you some money on your policy premium, it may undercut the coverage you need throughout the rest of your policy. The proprietary rate data below highlights how dwelling coverage limits affect average homeowners premiums.
Learn more: How much home insurance do you need?
|
|
|
---|---|---|
$150,000
|
Average annual rate
$1,394
|
Average monthly rate
$116
|
$300,000
|
Average annual rate
$2,286
|
Average monthly rate
$190
|
$350,000
|
Average annual rate
$2,550
|
Average monthly rate
$212
|
$450,000
|
Average annual rate
$3,091
|
Average monthly rate
$258
|
$750,000
|
Average annual rate
$4,526
|
Average monthly rate
$377
|
Bankrate’s take: Check your dwelling coverage limit before your policy renews
The amount of dwelling coverage you need may change from year to year. In a high-inflation environment, the cost of construction materials usually becomes more expensive. You could find that your dwelling coverage limit is not enough to fully rebuild your home when you account for the newer, higher cost of rebuild materials. You can consult with a licensed agent when your policy comes up for renewal to ensure you are fully protected. Depending on your insurance company, it could be more cost-effective to add an inflation guard or extended dwelling endorsement to your policy in lieu of raising your coverage limits.
Average home insurance cost by credit tier
In most states, your credit history could be used as an insurance rating factor. Depending on where you live, home insurance companies will generally review your credit history when you apply for a quote. This is because credit can be an indicator of risk — insurance actuarial data show that those with lower credit scores tend to file more claims compared to those with higher credit scores. As a result, home insurance for people with bad credit is generally more expensive compared to those with average, good and excellent credit. If you own your home with a partner, their credit history may also impact your rates.
Not all states factor in credit, however. California, Hawaii, Maryland and Massachusetts do not allow the use of credit for insurance rating purposes.
|
|
---|---|
Poor Credit
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 coverage
$3,854
|
Average Credit
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 coverage
$2,462
|
Good Credit
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 coverage
$2,286
|
Excellent Credit
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 coverage
$2,004
|
Does marital status impact home insurance rates?
For both home and auto insurance, carriers usually place shoppers who are married or in a recognized domestic partnership in a lower-risk group. This is because married couples tend to file fewer claims. Therefore, may receive slightly lower premiums.
However, if your spouse has other personal rating factors that may negatively impact your rates, like a poor credit history, owning and insuring a home together may increase your premium. If homeowners divorce and update their policies, their insurance rates may change for several reasons, including individual rating factors and the change in marital status itself. If the change in marital status impacts the premium, you likely won’t see any changes until your policy renews.
Average home insurance cost by claims history
Damaging events can happen to even the most responsible homeowner. If your home was damaged by an event covered by your policy, like wind, fire or theft, or someone sues you for injuries sustained at your residence, your home insurance policy could step in to cover the damages. However, a surcharge could be added to your policy at renewal.
Type of claim | Average dollar amount of claim paid out* | Average annual rate after a claim |
---|---|---|
Wind | $12,913 | $2,381 |
Liability | $25,323 | $2,402 |
Theft | $4,646 | $2,414 |
Fire | $83,519 | $2,408 |
However, if your spouse has other personal rating factors that may negatively impact your rates, like a poor credit history, owning and insuring a home together may increase your premium. If homeowners divorce and update their policies, their insurance rates may change for several reasons, including individual rating factors and the change in marital status itself. If the change in marital status impacts the premium, you likely won’t see any changes until your policy renews.
A Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, or CLUE, report can tell you about claims filed by previous owners of your home. Knowing that your guest room sink is prone to leaking or that your backyard shed has been broken into can help you stay one step ahead of potential claims-causing incidents.
Average home insurance cost by deductible amount
Your deductible is another factor that can impact the cost of your home insurance. Generally, the higher your deductible, the lower your rate. When you set a high deductible, you take on more of the risk that would otherwise be transferred to your homeowners insurance company. In turn, your carrier will usually offer you a cheaper premium.
A high deductible usually means higher out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a covered claim, so choosing a deductible you can comfortably pay with no warning is essential. While selecting a high deductible can be a valid cost-saving measure for some homeowners, others might experience financial hardship if they need to file a claim and can’t afford their deductible. Additionally, your lender may issue maximum deductible limits under the terms of your loan.
To provide a baseline, below you’ll find average rates for some of the most common home insurance deductible amounts:
|
|
---|---|
$1,500
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 in dwelling coverage
$2,229
|
$2,000
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 in dwelling coverage
$2,094
|
$5,000
|
Average annual rate for $300,000 in dwelling coverage
$1,876
|
Average home insurance cost by home age
The age of your home is also a factor that home insurance companies consider when determining your premium. Older homes might be more expensive to build back after a loss, especially if you need to bring them up to modern safety and building codes. Plus, an older home is more likely to be built with harder-to-source materials, which can also make repairs more expensive. Below is a look at how much an average home insurance policy might cost depending on the age of a home.
|
|
---|---|
1959
|
Average annual rate
$2,849
|
1982
|
Average annual rate
$2,876
|
1992
|
Average annual rate
$2,882
|
2010
|
Average annual rate
$2,596
|
2020
|
Average annual rate
$2,003
|
Average home insurance cost by home characteristics
Every home is different, which means insurance companies rate each home on a case-by-case basis. Your home’s specific characteristics will play a role in determining how much you pay for homeowners insurance.
- Roof condition: The age and condition of a home's roof impact the cost of home insurance rates. Insurance companies can charge more for a home with an older roof since it is more susceptible to windstorms and hail damage than a newer one. Some providers have age restrictions and only offer insurance to homeowners with roofs under a certain age, usually between 15 and 20 years old or newer. Roofs beyond 20 years old can typically qualify for actual cash value coverage, which is more affordable but has a lower claim payout.
- Construction materials: Roofs and exterior walls constructed of materials with higher fire ratings or are more wind resistant, like metal roofs or brick structures, may qualify the policy for additional discounts. On the other hand, special features, like a cedar shingle roof, marble tile or antique woodwork can have higher replacement value due to the cost of materials, availability and the skilled labor needed for repairs.
- Increased liability concerns: Attractive nuances features like swimming pools, trampolines and even playground equipment can increase your liability as a homeowner. If you have any of these features, your insurance company can raise your rate to account for the additional risk and require additional safety measures, such as a fence with a lock. Certain dog breeds can also be a liability risk that results in a higher premium. Some insurance providers require dogs to complete a certified training course to lower the risk of a dog bite lawsuit.
How to estimate the cost of insurance
Ultimately, the goal of home insurance is to restore your home and property to a pre-loss state. The best way to estimate your home insurance cost is by getting an accurate account of how much coverage you need in the event of a total loss and evaluating your level of risk. To calculate how much coverage you need, you will need the following information:
- The replacement cost value (RCV) of your home
- The replacement cost of any detached structures on your property, such as sheds, fences and garages
- The cost to replace your personal property, including any items not permanently attached to your home (e.g., clothing, furniture, appliances, electronics and so on. Creating a home inventory can help with this.
Next, consider other risks like liability concerns or potential physical hazards. Reviewing coverage concerns with your agent, along with estimates of the values noted above, will help an insurer produce a more accurate estimate for you when requesting quotes.
Keep in mind
Here are some talking points you can keep in mind when speaking with your agent. Having specific questions ready ahead of time will help your agent quickly identify the appropriate endorsements and liability limits.
- Do you have a dog?
- Do you have a swimming pool, trampoline or any other attractive nuisance on your property?
- Do you frequently entertain guests in your home?
- Do you have a home-based business?
- Do you have any personal items or collections that need special coverage, such as jewelry, art, furs or valuable stamps?
- Do you live in a moderate- to high-risk area prone to floods, earthquakes or wildfires?
- Have you upgraded or replaced your roof recently?
Learn more about home insurance costs:
Home insurance industry trends
Generally, home and auto insurance premiums have been increasing post-pandemic, partly due to inflation. As building material prices and labor costs continue to rise, home insurance carriers must raise premiums to cover increased claims expenses.
Also, according to Triple-I, the effects of climate change may directly impact home insurance costs. Damage from wildfires, tornadoes, hurricanes and floods costs more each year, causing some insurance companies to limit their coverage in high-risk areas or raise rates. The National Centers for Environmental Information recorded 60 natural disasters over the past three years that caused over $1 billion dollars in damage each. After adjusting for inflation, damage from billion-dollar disasters from the past three years averages out to $149.2 billion per year.
Bankrate's insurance editorial team closely tracks news events and industry trends in the insurance market. Here are some of our recent learnings:
- Although signs point to cooling inflation, the elevated cost of materials and labor has resulted in rising homeowners insurance rates. While not ideal, these rate increases help companies ensure they have enough money in their claims reserves to pay out higher losses.
- In an effort to stabilize the collapsing Florida homeowners insurance market, the state legislature passed Senate Bill 2-A in late 2022. Among many things, this bill focused on eliminating one-way attorney fees and the assignment of benefits that help perpetuate roofing scams. In another show of promise, a new home insurance carrier (Tailrow) has applied to do business in the state. Following Senate Bill 2-A, the Florida state legislature passed seven new insurance bills in the first half of 2023, focusing on insurer accountability.
- Hurricane risk is causing home insurance struggles for Louisiana homeowners and insurance carriers operating in the state. However, Louisiana passed a bill in early 2023 that resulted in an insurance incentive program. This program could bring more insurers to the state, motivate current Louisiana companies to take on more business and help depopulate the state’s insurer of last resort, Lousiana Citizens.
- Seven of the 12 largest home insurance companies in California have limited new policies in the state. State Farm and Allstate have paused writing new home insurance policies altogether, while Farmers has put a cap on the number of new home insurance policies they intend to write in the Golden State. The insurers have cited increased wildfire risk, the expensive reinsurance market and heightened rebuild costs as some primary motivators for the decision. In late 2023, Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara announced his Sustainable Insurance Strategy, a multi-pronged approach to incentivize insurers to begin writing policies in the state again, though the plan has been met with some resistance from consumer advocacy groups.
- Bankrate’s research shows that, from 2023 to 2024, Massachusetts, Louisiana, Colorado, Minnesota, Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma had the highest average home insurance premium increases. Louisiana homeowners were hit particularly hard. According to our analysis, the average cost of home insurance in Louisiana for a $300K dwelling policy rose by $612 per year.
- Excessive third-party litigation funding, where an outside entity provides financial support and legal representation in exchange for a portion of a settlement, has also contributed to higher home insurance rates. This is especially the case in diaster-prone states like Florida and Louisiana, where some more opportunistic groups go after insurance companies under the guise of helping consumers but may actually be looking for a profit. In areas with excessive third-party litigation funding, some insurance companies are forced to raise rates to help recoup their losses after making multiple large settlement payouts.
Industry experts weigh in
It may be a good time to shop around if you are questioning your premium costs, are unhappy with your insurer’s service or you simply know you may be able to get the same coverage at a lower cost with a different insurer due to a discount like bundling or some other factor.— Kenneth Chavis IV, Senior wealth advisor at Versant Capital Management
Frequently asked questions
Methodology
Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze October 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates for our base profile are based on the following characteristics and coverage levels:
Dwelling coverage
$300,000Other structures coverage
$30,000Personal property coverage
$150,000Loss of use coverage
$60,000Liability coverage
$500,000Medical payment coverage
$1,000The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible, a $500 hail deductible and a 2 percent hurricane deductible (or the next closest deductible amounts that are available) where separate deductibles apply.
These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes will differ.
Additional profiles:
- Coverage A, Dwelling: $150,000, $350,000, $450,000, $750,000
- Coverage B, Other Structures: $15,000, $35,000, $45,000, &75,000
- Coverage C, Personal Property: $75,000, $175,000, $225,000, $375,000
- Coverage D, Loss of Use: $30,000, $70,000, $90,000, $150,000
- Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
- Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000
Bankrate Scores
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Cost & ratings 50%
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Coverage & savings 30%
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Support 20%
- Tier 1 (Cost & ratings): To determine how well auto and home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, average quoted premiums from Quadrant Information Services (if available), as well as any of the latest third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, Demotech and the NAIC, were analyzed.
- Tier 2 (Coverage & savings): We assessed companies’ coverage options and availability to help policyholders find a provider that balances cost with coverage. Additionally, we evaluated each company’s discount options listed on its website.
- Tier 3 (Support): To encompass the many ways a home insurance company can support policyholders, we analyzed avenues of customer accessibility along with community support. This analysis incorporated additional financial strength ratings from S&P and Moody’s and factored a company’s corporate sustainability efforts.
Tier scores are unweighted to show the company's true score in each category out of a possible five points.