High-Risk Homeowners Insurance: Best Companies for Hard-to-Insure Homes (2026)
Kin, Foremost, and Nationwide are some of the best companies if you’re a high-risk homeowner.
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Written byAly J. Yale
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Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
Aly is a reporter specializing in real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. You can find her work in Hearst newspapers and numerous financial publications.
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Edited byEvelyn Pimplaskar
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Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
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Reviewed byMacKenzie Korris
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MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.
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Table of contents
Home insurance companies may drop your policy or deny you coverage if they view you as too high risk — meaning they believe you’re more likely to file a claim than other homeowners.
If this happens to you, it can be frustrating. But you still have options. Some insurance companies cover high-risk homeowners, though coverage may look different and cost more.
Here’s what you should know about your options, including private insurers and state-based plans, as well as the costs and coverages you can expect when you compare homeowners insurance quotes.
Quick Facts
Your home might be too high of a risk for insurance companies if it’s old, located in a high-crime neighborhood, or situated in an area prone to natural disasters.
If you’ve filed a lot of insurance claims in the past, insurers may consider you a high-risk homeowner.
Non-standard insurers, state-based FAIR Plans, and surplus lines may be an option for coverage if your home is a higher insurance risk.
What makes a home or homeowner ‘high risk’?
A home insurance company may consider either you or your home (or both) “high risk” if:
Your home’s location is particularly prone to severe weather events or natural disasters.
You’re in a high-risk area for crime, vandalism, or theft.
Your home is older or has outdated plumbing, electric, or HVAC systems.
You have a long claims history.
The home is vacant often.
The home is far from your local fire department.
There’s a particularly dangerous dog breed in the home.
The home’s building materials or structure type are hazardous (for example, frame construction houses).
You have a swimming pool or a wood-burning stove at home.
Many of these factors aren’t within your control. It’s possible that your home is in pristine condition and still be considered “high risk” due to its location, the area’s climate, or other external factors.
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Types of high-risk homeowners insurance
If you or your home is considered a high risk, you can explore several types of home insurance coverage. These generally fall into one of four categories: non-standard, specialized insurers, surplus/excess lines, and FAIR Plans.
Non-standard/specialized insurers
These are insurance companies that specialize in providing policies that cover specified risks, like wind, flood, earthquakes, and more. Standard home insurance policies generally exclude coverage for these risks. You may also turn to non-standard insurance if you have a high-value home and need policy limits higher than standard insurers generally offer.
Surplus lines/excess lines
Surplus lines insurance is designed to cover risks that the traditional market won’t cover. It’s only for property and casualty insurance and can be an option for homeowners who can’t secure coverage elsewhere.[1]
Surplus lines insurance has grown significantly in recent years, primarily in the areas of liability, fire, earthquake, and flood coverage, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
FAIR Plans
FAIR Plans — or Fair Access to Insurance Requirements plans — are state-sponsored insurance pools for homeowners who can’t get coverage through the private market. They cost more than traditional policies and cover damage due to fires, windstorms, vandalism, and riots.[2]
Not all states have FAIR Plan pools, and those that do often include coverage for state-specific weather risks. For example, California’s plan covers brush fires, while Georgia’s covers wind and hail.
How much does high-risk homeowners insurance cost?
A high-risk home will generally cost more to insure than a home that insurers consider to have an average or below-average risk. Owners of high-risk homes may be more likely to file insurance claims, since the risk of damage to their homes is greater.
Below is a general look at average premiums for several categories of high-risk homes, based on a $300,000 dwelling coverage limit. Your exact premium will depend on many factors, including your home’s estimated rebuilding costs, the deductible you choose, your insurance company, construction costs in the area, your credit, and more.
High-Risk Factor  | Average Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Older home (pre-1979) | $2,562 |
| Poor credit | $3,178 |
| In a flood zone | $2,123 |
| Has a swimming pool | $2,996 |
| Higher fire risk/distance from fire station | $1,162 |
Disclaimer: Table data is based on real-time quotes from Insurify’s network of 500+ insurance partners. Actual rates may vary depending on the policyholder’s individual profile and coverage needs.
Some non-standard insurers may not offer installment payment plans. Instead of paying these premiums across 12 monthly payments, you may need to pay the full amount up front. Make sure to ask any insurers you consider what payment options they offer.
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Comprehensive List of Home Insurance Discounts (2026)
Best high-risk homeowners insurance companies
Some traditional home insurance companies will cover higher-risk homeowners, and we’ve rounded up the best insurers below. If you’re interested in specialized or surplus lines insurance, contact an independent insurance agent or broker. They can help you find coverage in your area.
Foremost: Best for vacant homes
vacant homes
Foremost
Compare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 5.2/10 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best A.M. Best analyzes an insurer’s financials, operating performance, business profile, and other factors to generate an opinion-based rating of a company’s financial and credit strength. Ratings range from A++ (exceptional) to D (poor). | A |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $205/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $350/mo |
Insurers typically consider homes that are left unoccupied for long periods of time as a higher risk to insure. If you’re not there to catch problems like a burst pipe or smashed window, considerable damage can happen before you discover it.
Foremost offers insurance policies specifically for vacant properties. These offer liability, vandalism, and named peril coverage. And you may be eligible for several discounts.
Pros
Many coverage options for homeowners, including flood insurance
Replacement cost value available for vacant homes
Offers coverage in all 50 states
Cons
Very few online reviews
Online quotes aren’t available for homes vacant more than five consecutive months
Coverage varies by state
Kin: Best for homes with restricted dog breeds
KinCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | NR |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | Not rated |
Some insurers limit coverage for homeowners with certain dog breeds. Kin may be an insurer to consider if your insurer excludes liability coverage for your dog. Kin offers add-on animal liability coverage, which can protect you if your dog bites someone or causes damage to their property while at your home.
Pros
Excellent Trustpilot ratings
24/7 claims support
Several discounts available
Cons
No mobile apps
Available in only 13 states
Bundling discount available only in Texas and Florida
Nationwide: Best for homes at risk of earthquakes
NationwideCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.4/10 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 641 |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $228/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $344/mo |
Standard home insurance policies usually exclude damage from earthquakes. If your home is in an earthquake-prone area, Nationwide may be a good choice. The company offers designated earthquake policies you can use to protect your home against earthquake damage. These come with their own deductibles and are separate from your main home insurance policy.
Pros
Highly rated mobile apps
Many discounts available
Above-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Doesn’t sell coverage in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey or New Mexico
Above-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Higher premiums than some competitors
Allstate: Best for homes in flood zones
AllstateCompare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.2/10 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 631 |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $191/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $286/mo |
Traditional home insurance also excludes coverage for flooding. If your home is in a flood zone or at risk of flood damage due to hurricanes or other common weather occurrences in your area, Allstate is worth a look.
The insurer offers designated private flood insurance through its Beyond Floods program. Or you can work with an Allstate agent to purchase a flood policy through the National Flood Insurance Program.
Pros
Highly rated mobile apps
Many available discounts
Available in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Cons
Above-average number of customer complaints, according to the NAIC
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Very low Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating
American Family: Best for homes at risk of windstorms
homes at risk of windstorms
American Family
Compare personalized, real-time quotes
| IQ Score The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores. | 8.6/10 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 638 |
| $300,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $161/mo |
| $500,000 Dwelling A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others. | $226/mo |
If windstorms are common in your area, American Family’s add-on coverages can help. The insurer offers extra roof damage coverage. And its “matching undamaged siding” coverage will allow you to replace all your siding (even the undamaged parts) if you lose some in a storm.
Pros
Offers add-on roof damage coverage
Trustpilot rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars
Many discounts available
Cons
Below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating
Available in only 19 states
Mixed mobile app ratings
What to know about state-sponsored FAIR Plans
FAIR Plans are state-mandated property insurance pools that offer coverage to homeowners and businesses that can’t secure it through private companies.[3] FAIR Plan policies are typically minimal, offering bare-bones coverage for a higher price point than you’d find with standard homeowners insurance policies.
All FAIR Plans cover fire, vandalism, windstorm, and riot losses. Additional FAIR Plan coverages vary by state. Some offer a standard home insurance policy, including liability coverage. Others will require a Difference in Conditions policy, which covers risks not included in the state’s standard FAIR Plan.
To be eligible for a FAIR Plan, you must make improvements to your home that minimize the property’s risk of fire, theft, and water damage. If you don’t make these improvements, you may not qualify for FAIR Plan coverage. Other eligibility requirements can vary by state.
States with FAIR Plans
Many states offer FAIR insurance pools for homeowners who are having trouble finding coverage. In some states, homeowners throughout the state can apply for FAIR Plan coverage. Other states limit regions that are eligible for FAIR Plan policies. See the table below for the full list of state FAIR Plans.
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How to lower your risk profile
If you can reduce the risk you present to an insurer, it may be easier to get a policy and secure lower premiums. To do this, you can:
Make your home more resistant to natural disasters
Update your home so that it’s less susceptible to local natural disaster risks. Adding storm shutters or installing impact-resistant roofing are just two examples.
Upgrade older systems
If your home has older HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems, consider upgrading those to more modern versions.
Boost your home’s safety/security systems
Reduce theft and fire damage risk by installing systems like burglar alarms, indoor fire sprinklers, or even just deadbolt locks.
Improve your credit
Pay your bills on time, get any overdue accounts up to date, and avoid opening any new accounts.[4] Improving your credit can help boost your credit-based insurance score, which in turn can lower your premium.
High-risk home insurance FAQs
If you’re shopping for a high-risk home insurance policy, the additional information below can help you better understand its nuances.
What’s considered high risk for homeowners insurance?
A property or a homeowner can be considered “high risk” to an insurer if the house is in a high-crime area, in a location prone to adverse weather events or natural disasters, the homeowner has a history of filing claims, the property is older and outdated, or the home is often vacant.
Having a restricted dog breed in the house or a swimming pool on site can also make a property higher risk.
What would make a house uninsurable?
It may be hard to find home insurance if your house is located in an area that’s prone to severe weather or natural disasters, or somewhere that has high rates of crime, vandalism, and theft. Older homes with outdated systems may also be hard to insure.
What insurance company denies the most claims?
Allstate, USAA, and Farmers denied the most home insurance claims in 2024, according to Weiss Ratings.[5]
What’s the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?
The 80% rule says that you need enough home insurance to cover at least 80% of your home’s replacement cost. If you fail to buy at least that much coverage, your insurance company may deny your claim or severely reduce the amount of your payout.
Some insurance companies may require you to cover 100% of your home’s replacement cost, though, so check with your insurer to be sure.
How much should homeowners insurance be on a $400,000 house?
The average cost of homeowners insurance on a $400,000 house is $3,276 per month, according to Insurify data.
Methodology
Insurify data scientists analyzed rates from more than 180 home insurance companies sourced directly from Insurify’s partner companies and Quadrant Information Services. Rates span all 50 states and Washington, D.C., and quote averages represent the mean price for a given coverage level and geographic area. To ensure data reliability, only insurers meeting minimum quote thresholds were included in the analysis.
Unless otherwise specified, quoted rates reflect the average cost for homeowners with no prior claims and good credit with a home construction year of 1980. The default coverage assumptions include:
Default Coverage Assumptions
- Dwelling coverage: $300,000
- Deductible: $1,000
- Personal property limit: $25,000
- Liability limit: $300,000
Additional data points beyond these default values are sourced from Insurify’s proprietary database. Rates are updated monthly.
Related articles
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Flood Insurance: What It Covers and Costs
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What Is FAIR Plan Homeowners Insurance?
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Earthquake Insurance: A Complete Guide for Homeowners
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Homeowners Insurance Canceled Because of the Roof? What’s Next
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What to Do If Your Home Insurance Claim Is Denied
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Flood Zone X: What You Need to Know
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Sources
- Texas Department of Insurance. "Surplus lines insurance guide."
- The Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). "What if I can't get coverage?."
- National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). "Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plans."
- Triple-I. "12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs."
- Weiss Ratings. "14 Large U.S. Insurers Closed Nearly Half of Homeowner Claims with No Payment in 2024."
)
Aly J. YaleHome and Auto Insurance Writer, Real Estate Expert
National Association of Real Estate Editors member
Bylines include Forbes, Bankrate, and CBS News
Aly is a reporter specializing in real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. You can find her work in Hearst newspapers and numerous financial publications.
Featured in
Aly is a reporter specializing in real estate, mortgages, and personal finance. You can find her work in Hearst newspapers and numerous financial publications.
Evelyn PimplaskarEditor-in-Chief, Director of Content
10+ years in insurance and personal finance content
30+ years in media, PR, and content creation
Evelyn leads Insurify’s content team. She’s passionate about creating empowering content to help people transform their financial lives and make sound insurance-buying decisions.
Featured in
MacKenzie KorrisLicensed P&C Agent, Insurance Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 21630969
MacKenzie Korris is an insurance copy editor with a producer’s license for property and casualty insurance in Missouri.