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The Best Homeowners Insurance Companies for 2020
Choosing a home insurance company is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make as a homeowner. While the average cost of home insurance is $1,211 according to the Insurance Information Institute, home insurance can save you thousands more by protecting your home and belongings. To make our recommendations for the best homeowners insurance companies in 2020, we used our proprietary SimpleScore system to rate insurers on accessibility, coverage options, customer service, discounts and support.
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The best 6 home insurance companies of 2020
- Amica Mutual – Best home insurance for overall value
- Erie Insurance – Best home insurance for price
- State Farm – Best home insurance for in-app service
- Allstate – Best home insurance for claim-free rewards and premium protection
- Farmers – Best home insurance for simple policies
- Liberty Mutual – Best home insurance for discounts
The best homeowners insurance companies at a glance
| Provider | Discounts | SimpleScore |
|---|---|---|
| Amica Mutual | Loyalty, multi-line, claim-free, auto pay, e-discount, alarm system, new/remodeled home credit, automatic detection devices | 4.4 |
| Erie Insurance | Multi-policy, sprinkler system credit, advanced quote | 3 |
| State Farm | Multi-policy, home monitoring systems, impact-resistant roofing | 3.8 |
| Allstate | Multi-policy, autopay, claim-free, early signing, welcome & loyalty, new home, 55 and retired, smoke-free home, storm shutters, hail-resistant roofs | 4.4 |
| Farmers | Multi-policy, declining deductible, claims free, claim forgiveness | 3.2 |
| Liberty Mutual | Multi-policy, online purchase, new home, claims free, safe homeowner, early shopper, newly renovated home, new roof, insured to value, autopay, paperless | 4.4 |
Best overall value home insurance – Amica
Amica is the small-town star who made it big on Broadway with that down-to-earth charm. It’s a relatively small insurer, but an industry leader in customer service.
Amica is a relatively small insurance company, but its smaller size allows it to provide customers with personalized service and some of the best home insurance rates in the industry. When rated for its customer satisfaction, Amica receives a 5 out of 5 from J.D. Power.
Its competitive pricing is due to the insurer’s structure. Amica is a mutual insurance company, meaning it does not have stockholders to answer to. When you have a policy with Amica, you own a small piece of the company. As a result, you can get back up to 20% of your annual premium with a home insurance dividend policy. You can also save with discounts like installing an alarm system, bundling other insurance policies, opting in to auto pay and remaining claim-free for three years.
Best for price – Erie Insurance
Erie Insurance has some home insurance rate lock features that may be ideal if you’re on a tight budget.
Erie Insurance offers a wide range of insurance types — home, auto, condo, rental, mobile home, motorcycle, boat and life. Not only will loyal customers benefit from multi-policy discounts, but also some of Erie’s customer services. For example, life insurance customers can utilize Erie’s retirement planning financial service.
Savings opportunities are pretty limited. Erie only has three discounts — multi-policy, advance quote and a discount for fire, burglar and sprinkler systems installed. You can lock in your homeowners insurance rate to avoid any surprise increase in price in the future. For those on a budget, knowing what to expect gives you peace of mind. Your policy comes with some free perks thrown in too, such as animal coverage and theft or loss.
Best for in-app service – State Farm
State Farm not only pays your bills but also plays matchmaker. With qualified claims, its Premier Service Program will set you up with a contractor for repairs during claims.
State Farm goes above and beyond just reimbursing you for home insurance claims with its Premier Service Program. If your home needs any repairs, the program will connect you to one of its participating contractors for water mitigation, flooring, general contracting or roofing services. The resulting workmanship is guaranteed for five years.
If you live in a newer home, you can earn higher discounts for impact-resistant roofing and a home security system. State Farm lacks in coverage add-ons, however. Other companies offer interesting options like home office insurance, hurricane or eco-friendly material reimbursements, but State Farm sticks with pretty standard extended liability or umbrella insurance options. ” two_cents_text=”State Farm not only pays your bills but also plays matchmaker. With qualified claims, its Premier Service Program will set you up with a contractor for repairs during claims.
Best for claim-free rewards and premium protection – Allstate
Allstate is the valedictorian of insurance companies — it goes the extra mile to keep you informed and encourages your extracurriculars.
Allstate has some of our favorite online tools and resources. Its website hosts thorough information on policies, claims and common questions about insurance. The Allstate Common & Costly Claims tool will provide detailed information on the most common claims and most expensive claims in your particular zip code. This could help inform the policy you design for your home based on common issues in your neighborhood.
Allstate’s long list of optional coverages include some unique add-ons, including electronic data recovery, green improvement reimbursement and home-sharing. If you’d like to replace damaged items or rebuild after an event with energy-efficient or eco-friendly options, the additional green improvement reimbursement coverage will make it possible. Then there’s the home-sharing option. If you rent your home on Airbnb or other home-sharing apps, your home and property will be covered against any losses.
Best for simple policies – Farmers
Like In-N-Out, Farmers has a small but mighty menu. You’ll find three options for your policy structure, with some room to customize (no tomatoes please.)
For customers who get easily overwhelmed by options, Farmers keeps it simple. There are three basic homeowners insurance packages: Standard, Enhanced and Premier. Each package has a set of coverage amounts and add-ons. The Standard package is designed for new homeowners, its leaner and focused more on affordability. The Enhanced and Premier policies have higher policy limits and additional features, which may be worthwhile for higher-value homes.
Farmers Insurance is ideal for customers who prefer to work one-on-one with a local agent. It has solid customer service ratings and the local touch is likely to personalize that experience even more.
Best for discounts – Liberty Mutual
Fans of extreme couponing will enjoy that Liberty Mutual has discounts galore in its policies.
Liberty Mutual is one of the few providers to provide homeowners with hurricane coverage, which customers in the Southeast will greatly appreciate. Its coverages are best for high net worth customers with valuables and assets that may need additional riders. Liberty Mutual also has inflation protection that will automatically adjust your coverage limits as the economy changes.
Liberty Mutual has the most opportunities for discounting your policy. You can receive a discount for going paperless, opting in to autopay, holding multiple policies, insuring your home to 100% of the replacement cost, having a new roof, purchasing a new home or recently renovating a home, getting a quote before your current policy expires, installing safety systems and remaining claim free for five years (time with your previous insurer counts).
Compare the pros and cons of our top picks
The good news? Our top-rated homeowners insurance companies offer some of the best home insurance rates in the industry. Each provider has something different to offer, so make sure to compare quotes from multiple companies to find the best homeowners insurance value.
| Carrier | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Amica Mutual | Top-rated customer satisfaction | Not offered in Hawaii |
| Erie Insurance | Affordable customizable coverage | Limited coverage area |
| State Farm | Excellent for standard coverage | Ranks low in claims satisfaction |
| Allstate | Best for inexperienced buyers | Dropped CA customers in wildfire danger areas |
| Farmers | Flexible, customizable policies | Average customer service |
| Liberty Mutual | Claims-free discounts | Poor customer satisfaction scores |
What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance provides you with coverage to replace or repair your home and its belongings, if they are damaged from unordinary events (such as theft or fire). Homeowners insurance will also help cover costs if a visitor is hurt in your home.
Most of the time, homeowners insurance is not optional — if you have a mortgage, your lender will require you to have an insurance policy. If you don’t, your mortgage lender will assign you its choice of homeowners coverage, usually for a much higher cost.
To shop for homeowners insurance follow these steps:
- Know the specifics of your home. You’ll need to know details like the age and square footage of your home, as well as the replacement cost and information about siding and roof types.
- Decide how much liability insurance you’ll need in the event someone is injured on your property.
- Combine these two to decide how much coverage you think you need.
- Start the shopping process by gathering a list of potential home insurance companies and looking into their background. Since you’re already here you can read our guide and get many of these details from our research.
- Look particularly at current policyholder satisfaction scores, and find out how the claims response for each insurer works. You want to know if you’ll be dealing with licensed adjusters or a third-party call center. Claims should be paid in a fair and timely manner.
- Once you’ve narrowed the list to 3-4 insurance providers get quotes from all of them. Make sure to include any company you already have insurance through (auto, boat, etc.) since you should be able to get a bundling discount from them.
- Cheap is good but you’ll also want to look beyond the price and know what is, and is not, covered by each policy.
- Compare all your options, we know it can be tedious, so you can make the best choice for your home insurance needs.
How to choose the best homeowners insurance for you
Shopping for home insurance doesn’t have to be stressful. We suggest getting as much information as possible to ease your mind, and to choose the best home insurance for your needs. That is why we decided to do the research and put together this guide on how to choose the best home insurance. Most of all, here at The Simple Dollar, we are interested in helping readers make frugal and savvy financial decisions to save money.
- Usually if you’re buying a house, you’re required to buy homeowners insurance before you can continue the sale. Remember, sometimes lenders will suggest insurers to you, but you don’t have to choose one of them.
- How at-risk is your area for natural disasters like flooding, tornadoes and earthquakes? If your house could be damaged by falling trees or rising water, make sure you find a homeowners insurance carrier that covers these things in its basic coverage policies.
- Do you have a home security system installed or plan to install one soon? Many of the best home insurance companies may offer discounts for extra layers of security that deter or prevent break-ins and burglaries. Furthermore, find a homeowners insurance carrier that will cover theft of jewelry or precious heirlooms in the event that you experience a break-in.
- Read the fine print of the policy. While homeowners insurance may cover damage from thunderstorms, like hail damage, it may not cover flooding that seeps into your basement and damages your personal property.
- Lastly, ensure that the homeowners insurance company makes it easy to file claims. If it’s difficult to submit pictures, documents and evidence, it soon becomes a hassle to use your policy. Especially during a stressful time, you want to make sure that you can communicate and file claims with as little stress as possible.
Types of home insurance
There are many types of home insurance (or HO). In fact, there are eight types. To choose the best policy, you need to know what each is.
- A named peril policy protects your home only from perils specifically listed. Where as an open peril policy covers every type of peril unless it’s specifically excluded.
Types of home insurance
Also called a basic form policy, HO-1 protects your home from the ten perils: Damage from aircraft, damage from vehicles, explosions, fire or smoke, hail and windstorms, lightning, riot and civil commotion, theft, vandalism, and volcanic eruption. This type of home insurance usually doesn’t protect any of your belongings inside the home, nor does it offer any liability protection.
Also called a broad form policy, an HO-2 policy protects you against every peril in the HO-1 policy and a few more, including: accidental discharge or overflow of water or steam, falling objects, freezing of household systems (including AC or heating), sudden and accidental damage from artificially generated electrical current, sudden and accidental tearing apart, cracking, or bulging of pipes, and weight of ice, snow or sleet. Unlike an HO-1 policy, the HO-2 policy also comes with liability and personal property coverage.
Called a special form policy, HO-3s are the most common type of homeowners insurance policy. An HO-3 covers every peril listed in an HO-2 and any other type of peril unless it’s specifically excluded (such as flooding). HO-3s protect any attached structures to your home (such as a deck or car garage) and your personal belongings. It also comes with liability protection.
This is the tenant’s form. This type of insurance is also called renters insurance. It comes with liability protection and protects a renter’s personal belongings. It does not cover the building that is being rented. It usually comes with additional living expenses.
This is called a comprehensive form. An HO-5 policy is much like an HO-3 policy in that it is an open-peril policy— meaning it covers any type of peril that isn’t specifically mentioned. Common exclusions include earthquakes, floods, infestations, foundation problems, intentional damage, landslides, mold, rot, mudslides, neglect, pets, rust and corrosion, war, nuclear damage and water damage.
This is the condo form. HO-6s are intended for condo owners and come with liability and personal property coverage. Though they don’t cover the entire building, they do cover the walls, floors and ceiling.
This is the mobile home form. Much like an HO-3, it protects mobile and manufactured homes.
This is the older home form. It’s also similar to an HO-3 policy, but it addresses special concerns that come with older homes. Often historic, landmark homes have an HO-8 policy.
Which type you get will depend on your needs, the type of home you have and how much you want to pay.
Average cost of homeowners insurance premiums
| Cheapest States | Top 10 Cheapest Average Premiums | Most Expensive States | Top 10 Most Expensive Average Premiums |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oregon | $677 | Louisiana | $1,968 |
| Utah | $692 | Florida | $1,951 |
| Idaho | $730 | Texas | $1,893 |
| Nevada | $755 | Oklahoma | $1,885 |
| Wisconsin | $779 | Kansas | $1,584 |
| Arizona | $825 | Rhode Island | $1,551 |
| Delaware | $833 | Mississippi | $1,537 |
| Washington | $854 | Colorado | $1,495 |
| Ohio | $862 | Massachusetts | $1,488 |
| Maine | $882 | Nebraska | $1,481 |
* Source
How does homeowners insurance work?
Home insurance is something we might complain about paying for, but it is also something that can provide great protection and peace of mind. For the majority of Americans replacing a damaged or destroyed home is simply inconceivable without the financial protection of a good home insurance policy. Not only can it protect you from total destruction, it will even pay for smaller damage that might be caused by a kitchen fire or hail storm. It can protect against theft and injury to others when they’re on your property. Home insurance covers a few different categories:
Dwelling: The policy pays to rebuild or repair your home if it is damaged or destroyed by disasters listed in your policy, including fire, lightning or hail.
Personal property: Any items inside your home, including furniture, clothes, musical instruments and electronics are also covered for the disasters mentioned or if they’re stolen. If you have many expensive items, such as jewelry or art, you may need additional coverage to protect the cost of the valuables.
Liability: Liability coverage protects you financially against lawsuits if a visitor is injured in your home or if a family member causes damages to someone else. It includes your pets — if they bite someone who visits or they damage something inside someone else’s home, your liability insurance will step in.
Homeowners insurance comes with a deductible — an amount that you’ll need to pay out of pocket before your insurance pays for the rest. Typical homeowners deductibles can be $500 or $1,000. The higher the deductible, the lower your premium may be (and your monthly payment). When an incident in one of these categories (or one of the supplemental coverages you add on), you file a claim with your insurer and they’ll assess the pay out or reimbursement.
What is not covered by homeowners insurance?
As much as insurance is meant to cover the things you can’t plan for, the inverse is also true: you need to plan for the things insurance doesn’t cover. There are certain situations unlikely to be covered by any insurance company — situations that can leave you on the hook for a lot of money if you aren’t prepared.
Here are some of the most common situations that homeowners insurance doesn’t cover:
- Flooding
- Earth movement caused by earthquakes, landslides and sinkholes
- Wind damage
- Simultaneous events, such as a storm that causes both wind and flood damage.
- Maintenance neglect (burst pipes, mold, ordinance changes, termites, etc.)
- Nuclear accidents
- Acts of war
What affects home insurance premium prices?
There are many factors that could affect your home insurance rate. Some of the most significant include:
- Replacement cost
- Deductible amount
- Credit score
- Location
- Home condition and age
- Your area’s vulnerability to weather events such as windstorms and hail
- Claim history
- Roof condition
The list above isn’t exhaustive, but it shows you how insurance companies take several factors into consideration when setting home insurance premiums. Higher deductibles can give you lower monthly premiums. Location can have a positive or negative impact. For example, if your home is close to a fire station you may get a lower premium. Also, different insurance companies will weigh these factors differently, which increases the importance of comparing rates from several companies. Chances are if you don’t get multiple quotes you’re going to end up paying too much. Consider some of the following ways to lower your home insurance premiums: choose a higher deductible, ask for discounts for safety devices, perform necessary home maintenance and home repairs, get a discount for bundling with other policies.
What is actual cash value vs. replacement cost?
The amount of coverage you get determines the magnitude of the risk the insurance company will absorb in the event something happens. Depending on your policy, you’re paid in one of two ways: actual cash value or replacement cost.
- Actual cash value is when your insurance company factors in depreciation when determining how much money to give you after a covered peril has occurred. This often comes into play after roof damage.
- Replacement cost is when your insurance company pays you the full amount to replace the destroyed or damaged property after a covered peril, regardless of its condition or age prior to the event.
The advantage of an actual cash value policy is that it’s cheaper than a replacement cost policy. It’s also a good option if your home or roof is in new condition, though you will want to upgrade to a replacement cost policy after a few years.
The advantage of a replacement cost policy is that you never have to worry about the gap between what your insurance company gives you and the actual cost of replacing the damaged or destroyed item. However, the downside is that it does cost more than an actual cash value policy. You can do some calculations to see how much it would cost to rebuild your home and which type of policy would be best for you.
Homeowners insurance FAQs
The amount of your homeowners insurance coverage depends on your home’s replacement cost and the value of the items inside your home. You may need to conduct an inventory of your belongings for the most accurate amount for your homeowners insurance.
Unfortunately, no. Appliances are covered under home warranty policies, which are applicable when an appliance’s warranty runs out then fails or needs repairs.
Yes, your premiums will increase after you file a claim. Because of this, you may want to think twice before you file one. Weigh the cost of a potential increase in monthly payments, versus the cost for you to fix the issue yourself. This is especially important to consider if the claim won’t fulfill your deductible, which you’ll need to meet before insurance covers anything. Some insurers do offer a claim forgiveness feature which may be lenient on your first claim or will dismiss some after a few years of being claim-free.
Ask the Experts
-
Ellen Melchionni
President
-
Stephanie Clemente
Jurisdictional Officer
-
Paul Tetrault
Executive Director
Ellen Melchionni
President, New York Insurance Association
Stephanie Clemente
Jurisdictional Officer, Amica Insurance
Paul Tetrault
Executive Director, The Insurance Library
1. What are some things homeowners can do to have maximum discount opportunities?
Homeowners need to first determine what is the right coverage for their needs. Once they decide what coverage is best for them, there are many ways they can save money. Listed below are things homeowners can do to maximize discounts.
We also encourage homeowners to shop around if they want to explore coverage options and related costs. Additional discounts could also be available, so a homeowner’s best bet is talking to their agent or company representative. Homeowners should take a look at the information provided at thankgoodnessforinsurance.org. Tips are available on how to create a home inventory, keep your home in top shape and select the right coverage options.
2. How would you advise people to choose and/or adjust their deductible amounts?
A higher deductible reduces your insurance cost, and a lower deductible raises the cost of your insurance. If you’re looking to pay less for insurance, you could consider raising your deductible but be advised that you will need to pay more if you have a claim. Not surprisingly, purchasing more financial protection has a related cost. Every homeowner should determine what options, including the amount of the deductible, make the most sense.
Also, be sure to take a look at specific deductibles in your policy that may apply as a percentage of your home’s insured value. These deductibles are specific to a windstorm, named storm, and hurricane-related claims and are typically 1%-10% of the insured value of your home. These specific deductibles help decrease the cost of your insurance, but you should be aware of the deductible that may apply if you have a claim.
Too long, didn’t read?
Finding the best home insurance company for your individual needs requires a little homework, but it’s not advanced calculus. Compare quotes from multiple companies to ensure you’re getting the best possible home insurance rate.
The impact of COVID-19 on your home insurance.
Many homeowners insurance carriers have suspended service cancellations, waived late fees or applied percentage discounts on insurance policies in response to the pandemic outbreak. However, many people are now working from home and may wonder if their homeowners insurance covers equipment needed to work. Things like monitors, computers and other office equipment may be covered under home insurance or at least your company’s business insurance policy.
We welcome your feedback on this article and would love to hear about your experience with the home insurance providers we recommend. Contact us at inquiries@thesimpledollar.com with comments or questions.
Keep Reading
Methodology
The SimpleScore is a proprietary scoring metric we use to objectively compare products and services at The Simple Dollar.
For every review, our editorial team:
- Identifies five measurable aspects to compare across each brand
- Determines the rating criteria for each aspect score
- Averages the five aspect scores to produce a single SimpleScore
Here’s a breakdown of the five aspect scores and their rating criteria for our reviews on home insurance.
Why do some brands have different SimpleScores on different pages?
To ensure the SimpleScore is as helpful and accurate as possible, we developed unique criteria for every category we compare at The Simple Dollar. Since most brands offer a variety of financial solutions, their products and services will score differently depending on what we’re scoring on a given page.
However, it’s also possible for the same product from the same brand to have multiple SimpleScores. For instance, if we compare State Farm’s home insurance according to our criteria for the best home insurance, it scores a 3.8 out of 5. But when we compare State Farm according to the criteria for the best auto insurance, it scores higher, since the features the company offers can vary by the type of insurance.
Discounts
We looked at the number of discounts each company offers – more discounts mean a higher score.
Coverage Options
We awarded higher scores to the companies that offer more coverage options.
Support
We awarded higher scores to companies with the most channels for customer support.
Customer Satisfaction
We leveraged the J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Satisfaction Study℠ to see how customers rated their experience with each company. (If a company wasn’t included in J.D. Power’s study, we skipped this aspect and averaged the four remaining aspect scores.)
Accessibility
We looked at the level of accessibility of each company – the more resources they have the higher their score
Reviewed by
Nashalie Addarich
Nashalie Addarich is an editor for The Simple Dollar. She recently made a career switch from the legal field, where she was an attorney in Washington, DC. In her free time, she enjoys learning new languages. You can also find her editorial work on Reviews.com.
Courtney Mihocik
Courtney Mihocik is an editor at The Simple Dollar who specializes in insurance, personal finance, and loans. Previously, she wrote and edited for Interest.com, PersonalLoans.org, Ballantyne Magazine, Thread Magazine, The Post, ACRN, The New Political, Columbus Alive and the Institute for International Journalism.
