The National Association of Insurance Commissioners says that the national average for a homeowners insurance premium is $1,200 per year. However, that cost can differ depending on location, the size of your home, credit history, and so many other factors.
In this guide, you’ll learn more about these factors and how they impact your homeowner insurance premiums. You’ll also learn more about ways you can lower your homeowners insurance rate without compromising on your coverage.
How Location Impacts Premiums
Not only do homeowners insurance premiums vary from state to state, but they can also vary drastically from city to city. For example, a home in a dense city will have much higher rates than the exact same home placed in a rural setting. If you are planning to move to a new state or city, you should do your research and see how your homeowners insurance will be affected.
Many states fall around the $1000 to $1,300 range. There are some outliers on both ends of the spectrum, though. For example, Oregon, Utah, and Idaho offer average premiums under $700 a year. Their mild weather makes them safer places to live.
Coastal states, such as Louisiana, Texas, and Florida sit on the other end with premiums exceeding $1,900. Oklahoma and Kansas are also expensive because they sit right in Tornado Alley. If your home is more suspectable to damage, theft, or vandalism, there is more risk involved for your insurance company. Therefore, they charge you a higher premium to offset that risk.
How Premiums Vary by Provider
Along with the location, premiums differ from one insurance provider to another. Some insurance companies specialize in high-value homes with personalized service. They tend to market more towards wealthy homeowners. As a result, they have average premiums as high as $6,000 a year.
Some companies also carry different risk. If you choose insurance from a provider that covers homes threatened by natural disasters, you’ll pay a higher rate to help cover their risk. For that reason, we recommend that you don’t choose an insurance company that insures coastal areas if you live in a mild-weather state.
If you have a standard home, a standard insurance company will provide adequate coverage for more affordable rates. Most standard carriers have an average annual premium between $1,100 and $1,400.
Other Factors Influencing Insurance Premiums
There are so many elements that go into building a home, so it can be difficult to calculate the exact replacement cost. However, you can come up with a close estimate when you consider:
- Coverage Amount: Much like with any other insurance, a higher coverage amount equals higher premiums. If you have an expensive and personal property, you can expect to pay much more than a neighbor in a less valuable home.
- Credit History: Insurance companies are allowed to check your credit history in many states. Therefore, you should work on raising your credit score if you want lower rates.
- Home Age: While beautiful, historic homes have old wires and plumbing, they put you at a greater risk for water damage and fires. As a result, they tend to have higher premiums.
- Attractive Nuisances: If your home has any extra features that increase your personal liability, you can expect to pay more. Examples of attractive nuisances include trampolines, swimming pools, and playhouses.
- Deductible Amount: You can lower your premium by raising your deductible, but you should try to find the balance. If you can’t afford to pay your deductible, then the lower premiums won’t have saved you anything.
Homeowners Insurance Discounts
If you’re looking for more ways you can lower your homeowners insurance quote, then we recommend asking your provider about their discounts. You can often bundle your other insurance policies for savings, or you can consider decreasing your risk by:
- Installing Fire Safety Features
- Adding Deadbolts to Your Doors
- Investing in Wind Protection
Find Out Your Homeowners Insurance Cost
If you want to know more about the cost of homeowners insurance in your area, we suggest that you request several quotes from local providers. To start, you may need to calculate your coverage amount. You can check out some of our other homeowners insurance articles to learn more about that process.