Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass.
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.
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Triple-I
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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Home insurance is a major purchase. The national average cost of a policy is $2,584 annually for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to Insurify data. And while it’s natural to want to avoid higher rates, the best home insurance companies offer more than just low prices.
Considering the bigger picture can help you find home insurance coverage that suits your long-term needs. Insurer reputation, quality, coverage options, and claims-processing matter. Insurify analyzed premiums, discounts, customer service, financial strength, and market share to identify the best insurers to consider when you shop for homeowners insurance.
Quick Facts
American Family’s diverse coverage options make it a great choice for first-time homeowners who want peace of mind.
Farmers offers discounts for homes built to ENERGY STAR, LEED, and EPA green certifications.
Nationwide’s competitive rates and flexible extended coverage options are great for homeowners with high-value homes.
Best homeowners insurance companies
Each homeowner has unique needs. The age or condition of your home, whether it’s in a densely populated area, regional climate risks, and more factors could all influence what you need out of a home insurance policy.
Maybe you want basic coverage and an ongoing relationship with an insurance agent. Maybe you want a fully customized policy with an insurance company that has a user-friendly app. Whatever it is, doing your research and comparing home insurance companies will help you find the right fit.
To get you started, here are our five best home insurance companies. The average annual premium shown is for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage:
Insurance Company
Average Annual Premium
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.
Best For
State Farm
$2,133
8.2
Customer service
American Family
$1,702
8.6
First-time homeowners
Allstate
$2,401
8.2
Add-on coverages
Farmers
$2,909
8.4
Environmentally conscious homeowners
Nationwide
$2,526
8.4
High-value homes
Our editorial team spent more than 350 hours developing the Insurify Quality (IQ) Score and scoring insurance companies. The IQ Score objectively analyzes and calculates a score for insurers using more than 15 crucial criteria. The team weighted criteria by importance to the consumer — factors such as customer reviews and affordability influence the score more than availability and third-party ratings.
We rate each company on a 1 to 10 scale based on five categories: financial ratings, customer satisfaction, affordability, customer support and transparency, and availability. Insurify updates ratings once a year or as more recent information becomes available.
Third-party financial ratings: Insurify uses data from AM Best, S&P, Moody’s, and more to compare insurance companies’ credit and ability to pay out future claims.
Customer satisfaction: To calculate this score, Insurify analyzed more than 55,000 customer reviews across 155 car insurance companies. We also consider third-party ratings from J.D. Power, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and Trustpilot.
Affordability: Our data scientists analyzed more than 90 million real-time auto insurance rates from our partners across the U.S., as well as available discounts, to calculate an affordability score.
Customer support and transparency: This measures coverage options, ease of claims filing, and the insurer's transparency surrounding discounts, coverages, and claims process.
Availability and reach: Insurify scores availability and reach by identifying the number of states in which insurers offer coverage and company size by market share.
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.
9.3/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
842
$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.
$141/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.
$205/mo
State Farm is the largest U.S. home insurance company by market share.[1] It scores above average for claims and customer satisfaction, according to two 2024 J.D. Power studies. State Farm offers standard home insurance coverage, but homeowners can also purchase flood, manufactured home, and farm and ranch insurance through the company.
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Discounts available for wind and wildfire mitigation improvements
Offers earthquake insurance
Cons
Doesn’t write new policies in California, Massachusetts, or Rhode Island
Comparatively few discounts and add-on coverages
May not be a good choice if you live in a high-risk area
American Family: Best for first-time homeowners
first-time homeownersAmerican 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.
9.1/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
840
$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.
$113/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.
$156/mo
American Family’s financial strength, high J.D. Power claims satisfaction scores, and diverse coverage options make it a reliable choice for first-time homeowners. Its add-on coverages for equipment breakdown, water backup, and hidden water damage can provide extra peace of mind. American Family offers a free, virtual, self-study course for first-time homebuyers through its Dream Academy. It includes helpful tools and connects you with an agent.
Pros
Lower-than-average rates
Receives fewer complaints than average, per the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) Complaint Index
Offers a discount for new or renovated homes
Cons
Available in only 19 states
Slightly below-average customer satisfaction score from J.D. Power[2]
Restrictions on liability coverage for owners of certain dog breeds
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.
8.9/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
833
$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.
$134/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.
$192/mo
Allstate offers numerous optional coverages, making it easy to customize your home policy. It offers extended coverage for valuable instruments and sports equipment, identity theft restoration and electronic data recovery, and basics like water backup coverage. If you do part-time home-sharing, Allstate’s HostAdvantage coverage can help protect you from theft and damage.
Pros
Add-on green improvement coverage replaces damaged items with energy-efficient ones
Optional coverage for higher limits on musical instruments and sports equipment
Offers a discount for homeowners age 55-plus or retired
Cons
Doesn’t offer new coverage in California, Connecticut, Florida, or New Jersey
Slightly below-average J.D. Power customer and claims satisfaction scores
May not be the cheapest option for home insurance
Farmers: Best for environmentally conscious homeowners
environmentally conscious homeownersFarmers
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.
8.3/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
$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.
$147/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.
$239/mo
Farmers’ consistent financial strength and high property claims satisfaction scores from J.D. Power make it a solid choice for many homeowners. Farmers stands out because it offers discounts for homes built to approved green certifications, including ENERGY STAR, LEED, and EPA. Installing protective devices and using resilient roofing materials can also save you money.
Pros
Offers rent-to-own discount for renters policyholders who switch to home policy
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.
8.7/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
815
$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.
$159/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.
$250/mo
Nationwide’s home insurance add-on coverages and just-below-average rates make it a great choice for homeowners with high-value homes. Nationwide’s Brand New Belongings coverage pays you the depreciated value of your items and reimburses you for anything above what it costs to replace or repair them. You can also purchase dwelling replacement cost coverage and Values Plus coverage for high-value items like jewelry, antiques, and fine art.
Pros
Above-average customer and claims satisfaction ratings in J.D. Power studies
Discount available for homes in a gated community
Offers Better Roof Replacement add-on coverage
Cons
Doesn’t offer coverage in Alaska, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Massachusetts, New Jersey, or New Mexico
Has restrictions on liability coverage for owners of certain dog breeds
Receives more than the average number of complaints, per the NAIC Complaint Index
Insurify’s team of data scientists analyzed millions of home insurance quotes and weighed publicly available reviews, claims payout rates, complaint indexes, financial strength scores, company reputations, and proprietary quoting data. Our editorial team applies this insight to inform our unbiased reviews and recommendations.
5 tips for choosing the best home insurance
Whether you’re buying home insurance for the first time or just re-evaluating your coverage, here are some tips to help you navigate the process:
1. Compare premium costs
While cost isn’t the only important factor when looking for the best home insurance, it’s still a significant expense to consider carefully. Research and quote comparison can help you determine typical costs in your area. Then, review your budget to find your ideal cost.
2. Look for discounts
When you’re researching and comparing quotes, keep in mind the discounts you may qualify for. For example, bundling multiple policies can mean big savings. But insurers also offer discounts for installing security systems, renovating for disaster mitigation, and more.
3. Review coverage options
You’ll need at least the standard home insurance coverages, but there’s more to consider. Think about your risks, the age and condition of your home, and what you can afford to pay in a pinch. For example, coverage for hidden water damage or upgrading your roof after a covered disaster could be well worth it.
4. Investigate company reputation
Insurance isn’t insurance if it isn’t reliable. Evaluating an insurer’s financial strength and customer satisfaction can give you confidence that a company can pay out claims and provide a great customer experience.
5. Ask people you trust
Your friends, family, and neighbors might have great recommendations for home insurers. Don’t just take the first suggestion; gather and compare the options. Each homeowner has unique needs, so it’s still worth evaluating whether your neighbor’s insurer is right for you.
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How to buy home insurance
If you’re ready to find the best home insurance coverage for your unique needs, we’re here to explain the process. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to buy a home insurance policy.
When you apply for home insurance (and even to get an accurate quote), you’ll need to know some detailed information about your home. Questions may include:
What is the type, architectural style, and square footage of your home?
What year was your home built?
How many stories does your home have?
What type of foundation or basement does your home have?
What is the roof shape and primary roof material?
Do you have dogs, farm animals, or exotic pets?
Is your home in a flood zone?
Does your home have a garage or carport?
Do you have a trampoline or swimming pool on your property?
What are the primary exterior and interior materials?
Does your home have a fireplace?
How is the home primarily heated? Does it have central air conditioning?
You may also need to provide your credit history, home insurance claims history, and personal details like your marital status. To accurately determine rates, insurers need to assess your risk level as well as the risk and vulnerability of the home.
Ideally, you’ll have enough home insurance to cover rebuilding your home and replacing your belongings after a total loss. Your mortgage lender will require a minimum amount of dwelling coverage. Another way to determine your dwelling coverage is to multiply the square footage of your home by the average local building costs per square foot.
For example, if a single-family home is 2,300 square feet and local construction costs are $162 per square foot, the dwelling coverage would be around $373,000. Materials and costs vary though, so ask around and check with local contractors to get a local estimate.
Creating a home inventory will help you figure out how much personal property coverage you need. Even if you can’t get to every little thing, be sure to log bigger items, like appliances and TVs.
Here’s a look at the typical minimum home insurance coverage requirements and what the best coverage might look like.
Coverage Type
Minimum Coverage
Decent Coverage
Best Coverage
Dwelling (Coverage A)
Your mortgage lender’s minimum requirements
Enough coverage to rebuild or repair your home to its original condition, based on current costs of construction materials and labor in your area
Extended replacement cost to rebuild your home to its original condition at current market rates
Other structures (Coverage B)
Your mortgage lender’s minimum requirements
Enough coverage to rebuild or repair your other structures, such as detached garages, swimming pools, sheds, and gazebos, to their original condition
Extended replacement cost to rebuild any structures to their original condition at current market rates
Personal property (Coverage C)
50%–70% of your dwelling coverage limit
Enough to replace important personal belongings
Enough to cover your full home inventory
Loss of use (Coverage D)
Your mortgage lender’s minimum requirements
Enough to temporarily house and feed your family comfortably
Enough to house and feed your family comfortably for an extended period
Liability (Coverage E)
$100,000
$300,000–$500,000
An excess liability or umbrella policy for personal liability protection above the liability limit in a standard homeowners policy
An insurance deductible is the amount you have to pay out of pocket when you file a claim.[3] While deductibles vary, $500 and $1,000 are common choices. Some insurers also have deductibles that are a percentage of the total policy amount. And, depending on where you live, you might have a separate deductible for damage from windstorms and hail.
For example, if you have a $500 deductible and submit a claim worth $10,000, your insurer will pay you $9,500, and you’ll pay $500 toward the claim.
Higher deductibles typically mean a less expensive insurance rate. But that means you’ll have to pay more out of pocket if you have to file a claim. Consider your budget and cash flow to decide what’s best for you.
Once you have details about your home, a good idea of your coverage needs, and an ideal deductible in mind, you’re ready to shop around and compare quotes. Consider optional coverages, available discounts, and unique policy features as you compare different insurance companies.
You can do this in a few ways, including:
Using an online quote-comparison platform: A quote-comparison tool like Insurify can help you quickly compare quotes from multiple companies so you only have to enter all that information once.
Talking to an insurance agent: Odds are, you have some local insurance agencies who could help you through this process. Many agents represent more than one insurer, so they can also help you compare policies.
Reaching out directly to insurers: You can get a quote online on an insurer’s website or call to speak with an agent. You’ll probably get a pretty accurate quote this way, but make sure to shop around before settling on an insurer.
Insurify Tip
Keep an eye out for the terms “actual cash value” and “replacement cost,” which affect how your insurer reimburses you. Personal property coverage with actual cash value reimbursement means your insurer will pay you the depreciated value of your belongings. The same coverage with a replacement cost reimbursement means your insurer will pay you the amount it costs to replace that item with a new one today.
Once you’ve settled on the right insurer, it’s time to purchase your home insurance policy. Be sure to read through your policy carefully. Confirm details like:
Policy period: The start and end date of your policy (typically one year)
Deductible: What you pay out of pocket when you have a claim
Coverage limits: How much coverage you have for each standard type of home insurance coverage
Endorsements: The official term for policy add-ons or “riders” that change or provide extra coverage
Exclusions: Could be perils, like certain natural disasters, causes of loss, or property your insurer excludes from home insurance policies
Store documents in a safe place. If the insurer has a user-friendly app, you can download that so your documents are easily accessible.
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Why homeowners insurance is so expensive
Increasingly frequent and severe weather events and rising building repair costs are contributing to high home insurance rates, according to Insurify’s home insurance report. The average annual cost of home insurance rose by 9% in 2024, per Insurify analysis. The average annual premium for $300,000 of dwelling coverage was $2,584 by the end of 2024.
Florida is the most expensive state for home insurance, Insurify data shows. The average annual premium is $10,675 for $300,000 of dwelling coverage — more than four times the national average.
In Florida, hurricane and windstorm damage has led to billions of dollars in insurer losses. Insurance fraud and legal system abuse also drive up rates, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I). State regulators have passed legislative reforms aimed at addressing Florida’s home insurance crisis.
Higher building and reconstruction costs mean it’s more costly for insurers to pay out claims. The average construction cost per square foot for a single-family dwelling is the highest it’s ever been, according to the National Association of Home Builders.[4] Total residential reconstruction costs increased by 4.2% from October 2023 to October 2024, according to Verisk’s 360Value 2024 Quarterly Reconstruction Cost Analysis.[5]
Best home insurance FAQs
If you’re still looking for more information, here are some answers to frequently asked questions about finding the best home insurance.
Amica Mutual Insurance received the highest claims satisfaction ratings in J.D. Power’s 2024 Property Claims Satisfaction Study. But many insurers are reliable and pay claims fairly. Consumers can refer to J.D. Power and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners complaint database to find an insurer they can trust to pay covered claims.
Our top choices for nationally available home insurance companies are State Farm, American Family, Allstate, Farmers, and Nationwide. Many regional home insurers, like Erie Insurance and COUNTRY Financial, offer competitive rates and a great customer experience. That’s why it pays to shop around.
USAA is the best home insurance company for active military personnel, their families, and veterans. It scored at the top of J.D. Power’s 2024 Customer Satisfaction Index Ranking and has excellent financial and long-term credit strength.
Westfield, Unitrin, and Grange offer some of the cheapest home insurance rates. The cheapest home insurance company for you depends on your home and unique needs, so compare quotes from multiple insurers to find the best rate.
Comparing home insurance quotes online using a quote-comparison tool is an efficient way to shop around for the best coverage. If you prefer walking through the process with an expert, finding a local insurance agent might work best for you.
Allstate, USAA, Farmers, and American Family closed more than 40% of claims without payment in 2023, according to Weiss Ratings. Claim denial rates have been “creeping up steadily for nearly two decades,” per Weiss Ratings. The ratings agency said the denials are more concentrated in disaster-prone areas, like California and Florida.
Julia Taliesin is an insurance content writer at Insurify. She began her career as a journalist, covering local government and business in Somerville, Mass. She reported multiple investigative stories about municipal finances and budget allocation, building development and inspection, and personnel. When the pandemic began she became a de facto public health reporter, writing daily and weekly reports using available data to quickly communicate rates of infection and city response.
She's worked for print and digital outlets, writing everything from quick-hit breaking news to long-form community features. More recently, Julia managed content strategy at a startup creating a social platform for licensed nurses, overseeing a team of nurse freelancers and editing interview transcripts and news articles for publication.
She holds a Bachelor's degree in communications from Simmons University, with a focus in journalism. Outside of work, Julia enjoys working on crafting projects, learning about homesteading, and singing in cover bands.
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.
Reviewed byMark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Triple-I
Mark FriedlanderSenior Director, Media Relations, Triple-I
Corporate communications director for Insurance Information Institute
20+ years in insurance and communications
As Director, Corporate Communications for Triple-I, Mark serves as the non-profit’s national spokesperson, sharing information and education on a wide array of insurance issues.
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State Farm
American Family
Allstate
Farmers
Nationwide
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