Cheapest Home Insurance for Older Homes (2026)
Westfield, Grange, and Erie are among the cheapest home insurance companies for older homes.
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Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
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Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
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John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
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Data reviewed byChase Gardner
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Chase GardnerData Insights Manager
Data expert on auto trends and driver behavior
University of Chicago graduate with statistics degree
Chase spearheads analytics for Insurify’s data insights team. With his deep expertise in insurance data, Chase is often interviewed on industry trends.
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Table of contents
While older homes are often charming and full of character, they’re also often more expensive to insure than newer homes. Aging properties usually have higher insurance risks due to aging roofs, outdated wiring, or old plumbing systems. If you own an older home, you might need to compare a handful of insurers to find one that will insure your property.
Here’s what you need to know about finding the cheapest home insurance for an older home, including why they cost more to insure and how to reduce your insurance costs.
Quick Facts
Some home insurance companies won’t insure an older home if it has an asphalt roof that’s 20 years or older.
American Family is the best insurer for older homes that have been renovated.
Premiums for older homes depend on location, property condition, and the insurer, but making upgrades to an older home can often help you get cheaper insurance premiums.
Why older homes cost more to insure
Older homes can cost more to insure because they usually have outdated systems or materials that make them riskier and more expensive to repair or rebuild.
Here are some of the most common factors that can make old homes more expensive to insure than new houses:
Outdated plumbing and wiring: Homes built before the 1930s often have knob-and-tube wiring, which is a known fire hazard.[1] Old plumbing systems have a higher risk of water damage from corrosion or leaks.
Older roofs: If your home has an older roof, you’re more likely to have leaks, which can lead to water damage, mold, and mildew.
Antique or custom materials: Older homes sometimes have custom materials that can be difficult to obtain or are expensive to purchase.
Historical value: Historical homes may have higher replacement costs, which can raise the cost of homeowners insurance.
Limited replacement parts: With an older home, it can be hard to find replacement parts. For example, brick is no longer a common building material, and it can be more expensive to work with if your home needs repairs.
While old homes usually have higher insurance premiums, it’s still possible to find affordable coverage. Several insurance companies specialize in offering low-cost homeowners insurance for older houses.
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Cheapest home insurance companies for older homes
Home insurance costs for older homes depend on factors like your location, the market value of the home, and the condition of the house.[2] But some insurers consistently offer lower rates than others.
Keep in mind that the cheapest coverage isn’t necessarily the best. You might need higher coverage limits or replacement cost coverage, which can be more expensive.
In the table below, you can see which companies offer the cheapest home insurance for older homes. These average premiums reflect insurance costs for homes built in 1940 with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
Insurance Company  | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Westfield | $1,193 |
| Unitrin | $1,343 |
| Grange | $1,363 |
| Hastings Mutual | $1,468 |
| AIG | $1,592 |
| Erie | $1,662 |
| American Family | $1,708 |
| Cincinnati Insurance | $1,876 |
| USAA | $1,961 |
| Foremost | $2,059 |
| State Farm | $2,140 |
| Armed Forces Insurance | $2,165 |
| Travelers | $2,290 |
| Pure Companies Group | $2,311 |
| ASI | $2,363 |
Westfield: Best for high-value homes
high-value homes
Westfield
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. | NR |
|---|---|
| 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). | NR |
| $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. | $120/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. | $164/mo |
Average annual premium: $1,193
Westfield’s WesPak Estate home insurance policy provides tailored coverage for high-value homes. The package includes both home insurance and auto insurance, with built-in coverages like equipment breakdown insurance, roadside assistance, and guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home.
You can also add optional endorsements for fine art, instruments, cryptocurrency, and other valuables.
Pros
Very low average rates for older homes
Sells a home and auto bundle package for high-value homes
Multiple endorsements available
Cons
No online home insurance quotes
Offers few home insurance discounts
Available in only nine states
Grange: Best for discounts
discounts
Grange
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. | NR |
|---|---|
| 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). | NR |
| $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. | $114/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. | $173/mo |
Average annual premium: $1,363
Grange is an excellent home insurance company for homeowners who want to take advantage of discounts to lower their premiums. The insurer has more home insurance discounts than many of its competitors, with savings for policy bundling, paying in full, having connected fire alarms, installing a security system, performing a DIY home inspection, and more.
If you update your old home, you can share proof of permits and inspections to get an additional discount.
Pros
Good selection of home insurance discounts
Below-average premiums for older homes
Multiple home insurance endorsements available
Cons
Coverage is in only 13 states
Must work with an agent to get a quote or buy coverage
More home insurance complaints than expected filed with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)
Hastings Mutual: Best for budget-conscious homeowners
budget-conscious homeowners
Hastings Mutual
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| 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 |
Average annual premium: $1,468
Hastings Mutual has some of the cheapest homeowners insurance premiums for old homes. It can be a great choice for budget-conscious homeowners who want the lowest premium. While the company doesn’t offer many discounts, you could lower your premium even more by bundling a home insurance and auto insurance policy from Hastings Mutual.
Pros
Cheap average premiums for older homes
Offers a policy bundling discount
Has nearly 600 agencies across its coverage area
Cons
Sells home insurance in only five states
Limited selection of endorsements
More home insurance complaints than expected filed with the NAIC
American Family: Best for updated homes
American FamilyCompare 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. | $163/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. | $228/mo |
Average annual premium: $1,708
American Family offers comprehensive coverage options for older homes that have completed updates or are undergoing renovations. The company sells home renovation coverage, which provides protection for foundation issues and damage or theft of building materials during a project.
You can also get a discount if you’ve replaced the plumbing, electrical, and heating systems in your house within the last 15 years.
Pros
Offers a variety of endorsements, including renovation coverage
Special discount for renovated homes
Good customer satisfaction score from J.D. Power
Cons
Below-average claims satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
Some competitors have even lower rates
Home insurance available in only 19 states
Erie: Best for customer satisfaction
Erie InsuranceCompare 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. | 7.4/10 |
|---|---|
| JD Power J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale. | 674 |
| $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. | $268/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. | $389/mo |
Average annual premium: $1,662
Erie scored near the top of J.D. Power’s 2025 U.S. Home Insurance Study for overall customer satisfaction. The home insurer earned a score of 676 out of 1,000 points, which is much higher than the study average of 642.[3] The company has more than 14,000 agents and many branch locations throughout the 12 states it serves, so you can find in-person support.
Pros
Excellent customer satisfaction rating from J.D. Power
Extensive network of agents and local offices
Many coverage options available
Cons
Coverage area covers only 12 states
Doesn’t offer online quotes
Only advertises three home insurance discounts
How to lower home insurance costs for an older home
While older homes usually have higher insurance premiums, making strategic updates and taking advantage of discounts can often help reduce your rate.
Here are some tips for saving money on homeowners insurance for an older home:
Upgrade electrical and plumbing systems. If the home has outdated systems, like knob-and-tube wiring and galvanized pipes, replacing these systems could lower your insurance premium.
Replace the roof. Some home insurance companies provide a discount if you replace an aging roof.
Install safety devices. Installing safety devices, like an anti-theft device, smoke alarms, fire sprinklers, or automatic water shutoff valves, can sometimes help you get a discount.
Bundle policies. Most insurance companies will reduce your premium if you bundle your homeowners insurance policy with another insurance product, like car insurance, renters insurance, or life insurance.
Increase your deductible. Raising your deductible for dwelling insurance or personal property coverage can lower your insurance costs.[4]
Ask about historic-home programs. You might be able to get discounted insurance through a historic home program, rather than a traditional insurance company.
Good to Know
If you make upgrades or renovate your older home, make sure to keep documentation. You’ll need to provide this information to your insurance company to help prove that you’ve lowered the risk of insuring your property.
Coverage to prioritize for older homes
Older homes often need more comprehensive home insurance coverage to protect against unique risks. In addition to standard home insurance coverages — like dwelling coverage, personal property, medical payments, loss of use, and liability coverage — you might want to add endorsements to fill the gaps.
Below, you can learn more about insurance endorsements that can help protect your older home.
Coverage Type | Definition | Why It Matters | Optional or Essential? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Replacement cost | Pays to repair or rebuild your home with materials of “like kind and quality” without deducting depreciation | Provides more protection than an actual cash value policy, which subtracts for depreciation | Essential |
| Ordinance or law | Provides additional coverage to meet updated building codes, ordinances, and laws, lowering out-of-pocket costs | The cost to rebuild or repair an older home to comply with current building codes can be higher than its replacement value | Essential |
| Water backup | Pays for water damage to your sewer, drainage, or sump pump systems | Standard HO-3 policies exclude water backup damage, so you must purchase an endorsement | Optional |
| Extended replacement cost | Pays a certain percentage over your dwelling coverage limit to rebuild your home after a loss | Standard replacement cost coverage may not provide enough coverage to rebuild an old house | Optional |
| Service line | Protects buried service lines from damage
| Utility lines (lines that run from your street to your home, such as pipes, cables, and wires) are more prone to damage in an older home | Optional |
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Average cost of insuring an older home
The national average cost of home insurance in the U.S. is $2,584 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. Homeowners with a two-year-old home pay less, averaging $1,596 annually.
Home insurance rates for older homes depend on many factors, including the location, condition of the property, and insurance company. Making upgrades to an older home can often reduce your insurance costs significantly.
Below, you can see how the average annual home insurance premiums for policies with $300,000 in dwelling coverage vary based on home age, according to Insurify data.
Home Age | Average Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| 2 | $1,596 |
| 10 | $2,169 |
| 20 | $2,474 |
| 30 | $2,584 |
Cheapest home insurance for older homes FAQs
Even though the best home insurance for older homes is often more expensive, it’s still possible to get affordable coverage. Here’s some additional information that can help you find the cheapest home insurance for older homes.
Why is home insurance more expensive for older homes?
Home insurance for older homes tends to be more expensive because aging properties have more insurance risks. For example, older homes may have roofs susceptible to leaks or fire hazards, such as knob-and-tube wiring.
How can you lower your older home’s insurance premium?
To reduce your home insurance premium on an older home, consider increasing your deductible, making upgrades, installing protective devices, and bundling your policies. Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can also help you find the cheapest rate for your situation.
What type of coverage is best for historic homes?
If you own a historic home, some of the best homeowners insurance coverages to have are replacement cost coverage or extended replacement cost coverage, and ordinance/law coverage. These endorsements can fill gaps in your standard homeowners policy and provide higher coverage limits if you need to repair or rebuild your home after a covered loss.
You can also consider an HO-8 policy, which is a modified coverage form specifically intended for homes older than 40 years old.
Can you get coverage if your home has knob-and-tube wiring?
It’s possible to get home insurance on a property with knob-and-tube wiring, but it can be more difficult and more expensive. If you own a house with an outdated electrical system, it might be worth upgrading the wiring to bring down your insurance costs. It’s also a good idea to update your wiring from a safety standpoint.
Do older homes need more coverage?
Many old homes require additional insurance coverage, like higher policy limits, optional add-ons, or both. A standard policy may not provide enough protection for an older home that has higher replacement costs than a new home.
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.
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Sources
- Electrical Safety Foundation International. "Understanding Your Home Electrical System."
- New York State Department of Financial Services. "Understanding What Affects the Cost of Insurance."
- J.D. Power. "Homeowners Insurance Premium Increases Threaten Customer Loyalty, Long-Term Probability, J.D. Power Finds."
- Insurance Information Institute. "12 Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Costs."
)
Elizabeth RivelliFreelance Insurance Writer
5+ years writing insurance and personal finance topics
Auto, home, health, and life insurance expertise
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
Featured in
Elizabeth has extensive insurance industry experience, having written for Insureon, Rate Retriever, and Insurify. She’s also finance and insurance editor for Car and Driver.
Katie PowersLicensed P&C Agent, Senior Insurance Editor
Licensed auto and home insurance agent
4+ years experience in insurance and personal finance editing
NPN: 20564519
Katie uses her knowledge and expertise as a licensed property and casualty agent in Massachusetts to help readers understand the complexities of insurance shopping.
Featured in
John LeachLicensed P&C Agent, Chief Copy Editor
Licensed property and casualty insurance agent
10+ years editing experience
NPN: 20461358
John is Insurify’s Chief Copy Editor, helping ensure the accuracy and readability of Insurify’s content. He’s a licensed agent specializing in home and car insurance topics.
Featured in
Chase GardnerData Insights Manager
Data expert on auto trends and driver behavior
University of Chicago graduate with statistics degree
Chase spearheads analytics for Insurify’s data insights team. With his deep expertise in insurance data, Chase is often interviewed on industry trends.
Featured in