Best homeowners insurance in Massachusetts for 2023

Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Massachusetts

Bankrate’s extensive home insurance research found USAA, Allstate and Amica to be among the best home insurance companies in Massachusetts. Most of the companies on our list offer average rates below the state average of $1,199 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage, based on our study of quoted premiums sourced from Quadrant Information Services.

Additionally, these companies offer competitive coverage options, unique and varied opportunities for home insurance discounts and strong financial strength ratings from AM Best. In addition, most were ranked in J.D. Power’s 2023 U.S. Home Insurance Study.

*Premiums are for $250K in dwelling coverage
**USAA not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions

The top 5 home insurance companies in Massachusetts

Additional Massachusetts home insurance companies to consider

Plymouth Rock

Chubb

Vermont Mutual

How Bankrate chose the best home insurance companies in Massachusetts

When it comes to finding the best Massachusetts homeowners insurance, Bankrate first reviewed average premium data from Quadrant Information Services. But price doesn’t give a full view of a carrier’s capabilities, so we also analyzed coverage offerings, discounts, digital tools and third-party ratings from organizations like J.D. Power and AM Best. We combined these metrics into our proprietary Bankrate Score model.

Scores are awarded on a scale from 0.0 to 5.0. The higher a company’s Bankrate Score, the more highly it ranked in the individual rating categories. You can use the Bankrate Score of each company to get a quick view of how competitive that company is across various metrics.

Cheapest home insurance companies in Massachusetts

The carriers listed below all offer average rates that are not only below the Massachusetts state average for home insurance but also below $1,000. Keep in mind that these rates reflect policies with $250,000 in dwelling coverage. Purchasing coverage endorsements or raising the dwelling limit will likely mean more expensive premiums.

How to get cheap Massachusetts home insurance

When you're looking for good cheap Massachusetts homeowners insurance, there are a few strategies you can use to ensure that you are getting the best possible rate. Consider these tactics to help you score a reasonably priced policy:

1. Shop around: Don't stop after asking for just one home insurance quote. Take a look at multiple Massachusetts insurers and get quotes from several.  You may be surprised at the range of options you receive. Just be sure that you're quoting similar coverage levels and options with each company so you can make a fair comparison.
2. Repair your roof: Most home insurers will ask you the age of your roof when you request a quote. An old or poorly maintained roof can result in a pricey claim, so you are likely to earn a lower rate if you have a newer roof. If your roof is made of storm-resistant materials, some insurers may even give you a discount.
3. Raise the amount you pay out of pocket: Increasing your deductible means you pay more up front if you file a claim, but your monthly premiums may decrease. Just make sure that the deductible you choose is an amount that you can comfortably pay on short notice.
4. Bundle your policies: Most insurers will offer you a substantial discount if you purchase multiple policies from them. Usually, this means homeowners plus auto insurance, but you could also earn a discount from some companies if you have another type of policy, such as renters or umbrella insurance.

Best home insurance discounts in Massachusetts

Most homeowners are able to save some money on their policy by taking advantage of discounts. These are some commonly offered discounts, and some are quite easy to earn.

How to save on home insurance policy renewals in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts, insurers cannot take your credit into consideration when calculating your home insurance rate, so improving your credit is not an effective method for saving on your insurance policy. However, the following strategies may help you keep some money in your pocket when it comes time for your policy renewal:

• Be intentional about filing claims: Filing a home insurance claim will likely cause your premium to increase. To combat this surcharge, be mindful about when you file a claim. Many insurance experts recommend that you only file a claim if the repair costs are significantly higher than your deductible.
• Improve your roof: Massachusetts sees its fair share of hurricanes and nor’easters, which can severely damage your roof. Fortifying your roof may earn you a discount from your insurance provider, as it is less susceptible to damage and becomes less likely you would need to file a claim for roof damage.
• Meet with a licensed insurance agent before your policy renews: There may be some discounts or savings opportunities you missed when you first signed up for your policy. Setting aside time to speak with a licensed insurance representative may help you identify previously glossed-over ways to lower your premium.

How much is home insurance in Massachusetts?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Massachusetts is $1,199 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage, which is cheaper than the national average of $1,428 per year. The state’s average annual premium is slightly lower than some of its neighbors' rates. In Connecticut, the average cost of home insurance for $250,000 in dwelling coverage is $1,244 per year, while in Rhode Island, the average cost is $1,233 per year. All three states are susceptible to blizzards, ice storms, nor’easters and hurricanes along the coastline, which insurers take into consideration. Keep in mind that the amount of dwelling coverage you need to purchase to cover the cost of rebuilding your home will affect your insurance premium, as well.

Massachusetts homeowners insurance rates by city

Insurance risks are not spread equally throughout Massachusetts. Therefore, some ZIP codes will see higher average home insurance rates than others based on risk factors like extreme weather and crime statistics. With the interactive map here, you can compare your Massachusetts ZIP code to others across the state.

*Rates are for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.

What does home insurance cover in Massachusetts?

Before we dive into additional coverage options Massachusetts homeowners should consider, it’s helpful to understand what you’re already covered for. The most common type of home insurance policy is an HO-3 form, which covers your dwelling and other structures on an open-peril basis. It sounds complex, but this means they are protected from every kind of peril except what is specifically excluded from your policy. Your personal property is protected on a named-peril basis, meaning only damage that is specifically listed in your insurance policy will be covered. Any other type of damage will need to be paid for out of pocket.

An HO-3 home insurance policy covers a total of 16 different types of perils. Below, we’ve listed some of the most common home insurance claims in Massachusetts and shown how a standard home insurance policy addresses them:

• Burst pipes: Massachusetts winters see average lows of 16 degrees, which can wreak havoc on your home’s plumbing system. Thankfully, home insurance covers burst pipes in most instances.
• Liability from falls: If a guest slips, falls, injures themself on your property and sues you for damages, the liability portion of your home insurance policy should offer financial protection.
• Wind damage: Wind damage is a common concern for homeowners along part of Massachusetts’ 1,500 miles of coastline. If high winds damage your home, your insurance policy should help cover the damage.

Additional home insurance coverage types in Massachusetts

While home insurance covers quite a bit, there are some glaring gaps. A few major perils, like floods, are almost always excluded from a home insurance policy. Without additional insurance, your home could be at serious risk. You may want to consider adding optional home insurance coverage options to your Massachusetts homeowners insurance coverage for more tailored financial protection that speaks to the particular needs of residents in the state. For instance, you may want to think about purchasing:

• Flood insurance: Standard home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. You would need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or a private insurer. Even if you aren’t in a high-risk flood zone, it might be useful to get a Massachusetts flood insurance quote to decide if the coverage is right for you. During a 30-year mortgage period, one in four Massachusetts homes are expected to flood.
• Identity theft coverage: As we live in an increasingly digital world, identity theft is becoming more common. Many Massachusetts homeowners insurance companies offer this endorsement, which can help pay for legal fees and services like credit monitoring in the wake of identity theft.
• Sewer backup coverage: Sewer backups can occur when water or drain lines can’t properly funnel water away from your house, leaving it to back up into your living space. This commonly happens in basements or crawl spaces when sump pumps can’t keep up with heavy rains, but it can happen from any water line. Standard home insurance does not cover this type of damage, so you may want to ask your insurance agent about purchasing this endorsement, which typically costs less than $100 per year in additional premium for $5,000 of coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

Common Massachusetts home insurance problems

While Massachusetts homeowners may not face the same insurance woes as Florida or California, there are still some hurdles to watch out for. If you’re a Massachusetts homeowner seeking insurance coverage, keep the following on your radar while you shop:

• Historical home coverage: As one of the oldest states in the country, Massachusetts is also home to some of the oldest houses. There are over 60,000 registered historic buildings across the state, which can present some insurance challenges. If you live in a historic home, you might need an HO-8 insurance policy as opposed to HO-3 or HO-5. You might also consider adding ordinance coverage, which can bring your home up to local building codes following a covered loss.
• Economic inflation: Home insurance is not immune to economic inflation. Rising labor costs and increased prices of construction materials can all make your insurance bottom line more expensive. As such, some Massachusetts homeowners may struggle to secure affordable coverage.
• Climate risk: As weather patterns worldwide become more extreme, home insurance could become more expensive. A study from First Street Foundation, an organization that focuses on climate risks, reported that 20 to 73 percent of homes around the Boston area could face higher insurance costs in the near future due to elevated risk of wind damage.

Frequently asked questions