Best cheap homeowners insurance in San Bernardino

If you own a house or plan to buy one soon, a home insurance policy could be a wise investment to protect your finances from unexpected perils. Based on Bankrate’s research, San Bernardino homeowners pay an average of $1,225 for a home insurance policy with $250K in dwelling coverage

When financing a home, your lender will likely require you to carry homeowners insurance until you pay off the loan. If you do not, your lender may purchase a policy on your behalf which could be more expensive than finding your own. Bankrate collected data on the top home insurance companies to help you find cheap home insurance coverage in San Bernardino. The carriers selected made the list based on cost, coverage options and discounts available.

Best cheap home insurance companies in San Bernardino

There are lots of insurance companies operating in California. Finding the cheapest coverage may seem overwhelming, but Bankrate has screened dozens of the top providers by market share to find the cheapest average home insurance in San Bernardino. Based on data provided by Quadrant Information Services, USAA, Mercury Insurance and ASI Progressive offer some of the lowest average home insurance rates in the city. The following five carriers offer a combination of cheap home insurance rates and positive customer reviews, based on J.D. Power’s 2022 U.S. Home Insurance Study.

Bankrate evaluated each of the following insurers and assigned them a Bankrate Score, based on a 5-point scale. We analyzed each provider’s availability and affordability, along with their customer service and coverage options. Our research also looked for home insurance companies with good financial strength ratings and ones that provide policyholders with claims and policy management tools, like mobile apps and online resources.

*Not officially ranked by J.D. Power due to eligibility restrictions

USAA

USAA has some of the cheapest homeowners insurance rates in San Bernardino at only $641 per year, on average, or $53.42 per month. USAA also consistently gets high scores in J.D. Power’s annual study, although it is not officially eligible for ranking. Coverage can only be purchased by eligible veterans, members of the U.S. Armed Forces or qualifying family members. If you qualify, your home policy comes with replacement cost coverage at no additional cost. You may also buy flood insurance directly through USAA instead of through FEMA or a separate insurer. USAA does not offer as many discounts as some other insurers we evaluated.

Learn more: USAA Insurance review

Mercury

Mercury is a California-based insurer that offers the second-cheapest average annual home insurance rate on our list. The provider did not make the cut in J.D. Power’s 2022 Home Insurance Study, but Mercury could be a good choice for California homeowners as it offers a potential discount for wildfire mitigation measures like defensive space clearing. The company also offers an extended replacement cost endorsement which insures your home for up to 150 percent of your dwelling’s policy limits should you need to revuild following a covered peril.

Learn more: Mercury Insurance review

ASI Progressive

ASI Progressive could be a good choice for homeowners with high-value items like jewelry or art. The company’s standard homeowners policies allow policyholders to increase their personal liability protection or raise their personal property limit for expensive items. Along with standard homeowners insurance, ASI Progressive also offers investment home and seasonal home insurance policies, enabling homeowners to choose additional coverages that fit their needs. Policyholders could also save money by bundling their home and auto insurance for a discount. Unfortunately, ASI Progressive only has a few add-on coverage types and is only available through one San Bernardino independent agency.

Learn more: Progressive Insurance review

Allstate

Although Allstate ranked below the national average for customer satisfaction in J.D. Power’s study, the provider offers an impressive selection of optional coverages to maximize your home’s protection. Following a covered storm damage loss, Allstate’s yard and garden endorsement may help pay for landscaping, tree removal and replacement of damaged equipment, like a riding lawnmower. The carrier also offers optional identity theft restoration and water backup coverages, plus scheduled personal property coverage to cover expensive items such as antiques and artwork. Policyholders may save with potential discounts for new homeowners and protective device installation. Allstate sells homeowners policies through dozens of San Bernardino agencies.

Learn more: Allstate Insurance review

Nationwide

Nationwide does not have the cheapest average premium on our list, but policyholders may be able to save by taking advantage of a number of the company’s discounts. You may receive a discount if you purchased your home in the last 12 months, made renovations or added protective devices, such as a home security system or smoke alarms. For customers looking to customize their policy, Nationwide offers Better Roof Replacement to rebuild your roof with stronger materials following a covered loss and Valuable Plus coverage to insure your high-value items. While Nationwide gives auto insurance customers the option to file a claim using their mobile app, it does not extend the feature to home insurance policyholders.

Learn more: Nationwide Insurance review

Home insurance coverage options in San Bernardino

State and local laws do not require San Bernardino homeowners to buy home insurance, but if you finance your house, the terms of your mortgage will likely require you to carry coverage throughout the life of the loan. On average, San Bernardino homeowners insurance costs $1,225 per year for a policy with $250K in dwelling coverage. That’s more than $140 more than the state average of $1,084, but less than the national average of $1,383.

In addition to a basic homeowners insurance policy, some homeowners may choose to add additional coverage to their policy through endorsements. Endorsements come with an increase to your premium, but could provide you with added financial protection in case of a covered peril. You may consider the following add-ons:

• Flood insurance: Some areas in San Bernardino are in a flood zone. Flood insurance is not included in a standard homeowners insurance policy, but adding a flood insurance endorsement or purchasing a separate policy could provide financial protection in the event that your home is lost or damaged due to flooding.
• Earthquake insurance: The entire State of California is at risk for earthquakes. An HO-3 does not include the peril as part of a standard policy. You may be able to purchase coverage through your insurance company or the California Earthquake Authority.
• Identity theft coverage: If someone fraudulently takes money from your checking account, obtains an unauthorized loan or opens a credit card account using your personal information, identity theft coverage may help pay the costs of restoring your identity. This valuable coverage could help pay expenses such as administration fees, attorney’s fees and government-issued identification replacement.

Home insurance discounts in San Bernardino

You may be able to save more on your home insurance even after you receive a quote by investigating what discounts a carrier offers. Most insurance companies offer several types of discounts that could reduce your premium. The following are some of the most common discounts insurers may offer:

• Bundling discounts: Many San Bernardino homeowners also own a vehicle. Bundling discounts, sometimes called multi-policy discounts, offer a savings when you purchase auto and home insurance from the same insurance company. Typically, auto and home bundling discounts only reduce your car insurance rate.
• Claims-free discounts: May insurers reward policyholders for not filing a claim for a designated period of time, typically three to five years.
• Safety discounts: Some providers extend discounts for homes equipped with safety and security devices. For example, you may earn a discount if you install a burglar alarm system, an impact-resistant roof, smoke detectors, a sprinkler system or storm windows.

Bundling discounts typically offer more substantial savings than safety discounts, although exact savings will vary by provider. Although safety and security upgrades require initial out-of-pocket costs, they could earn you a discount and potentially reduce your risk of filing a claim. During the life of your homeowners policy, you may earn new discounts along the way. When it is time to renew your policy, consider asking your agent about discounts for which you may qualify.

Frequently asked questions

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    What is the best home insurance company?

    The best home insurance company for you will likely depend on what coverage options are most important to you, what discounts a provider might offer and your budget. Most insurance professionals recommend comparing quotes from multiple providers to find the best homeowners insurance in San Bernardino for your needs.
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    How much does home insurance in San Bernardino cost?

    Rate data provided by Quadrant indicates that the cost of homeowners insurance in San Bernardino averages $1,225 per year for a $250K in dwelling coverage. Statewide, Californians pay an average annual rate of $1,084. Keep in mind that averages may not reflect what you will pay for a homeowners policy. The rate an insurer charges may depend on several factors such as your home’s age and construction type, location and proximity to fire services. The types of coverages you choose, along with coverage levels, will also likely impact your premium.
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    How much home insurance do I need in San Bernardino?

    To determine how much home insurance you will need in San Bernardino, it may be helpful to speak with a licensed insurance agent. Using your home’s value may provide a good ballpark, but an agent could help you determine exactly how much coverage you may need based on your location and your home’s specific features.
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    What is the average home price in San Bernardino?

    According to the most current U.S. Census Bureau data, in 2020, San Bernardino’s median home price was $348,500. That same year, San Bernardino homeowners with a mortgage paid $1,873 in home-related costs, on average, while those with no mortgage paid an average of $496.

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    Methodology

    Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze 2022 current rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Rates are weighted based on the population density in each geographic region. Quoted rates are based on 40-year-old male and female homeowners with a clean claim history, good credit and the following coverage limits:

    • Coverage A, Dwelling: $250,000
    • Coverage B, Other Structures: $25,000
    • Coverage C, Personal Property: $125,000
    • Coverage D, Loss of Use: $50,000
    • Coverage E, Liability: $300,000
    • Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

    The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible (if required).

    These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes will differ.

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    Bankrate Score

    Bankrate Scores are calculated on a five-point scale and primarily reflect a weighted rank of industry-standard ratings for financial strength and customer experience in addition to analysis of quoted annual premiums from Quadrant Information Services, spanning all 50 states and Washington, D.C. We know it is important for homeowners to be confident their financial protection covers the likeliest risks, is priced competitively and is provided by a financially-sound company with a history of positive customer support.

    To determine how well the best home insurance companies satisfy these priorities, third-party agency ratings from J.D. Power, AM Best, S&P, NAIC, and Moody’s had the most impact on the companies’ Bankrate Scores. As price is a common consideration for homeowners, we analyzed quoted premiums based on 40-year-old male and female homeowners with a home policy with $250,000 in dwelling coverage. This profile, assessed across nearly 35,000 ZIP codes in the U.S., provided a basis on which homeowners may compare each provider.

    While coverage options, insurer availability, affordability and customer experience are often the top priorities, Bankrate also analyzed each insurer’s online and mobile resources for policy management and claims handling. Insurance is rapidly evolving to keep pace with our digital world, so these aspects also carried weight in determining Bankrate Scores.