The Evergreen State’s temperate Pacific Northwest climate is accompanied by attractively low homeowners insurance rates. The average annual homeowners insurance premium in Washington is only $653, according to Insurance.com, which is $575 cheaper, or 47 percent less, than the national average of $1,228.
The state’s rainy reputation, however, does cause some concern for flooding, and most insurance companies do not provide flood protection in their standard policies. In order to avoid overpaying in the event of a disaster, shop around for the most affordable policy with the broadest and least expensive add-on coverages available.
We’ve outlined our top Washington homeowners insurance provider picks and included a quote tool so you can get started comparing prices and policies and getting one step closer to ensuring your home.
Our Top Picks for Best Homeowners Insurance in Washington
- State Farm
- Nationwide
- Liberty Mutual
- Farmers Insurance
State Farm
Insuring your home with State Farm gets you quality property insurance coverage that protects nearly every type of standard dwelling from the elements and theft. You can easily customize your policy with add-on protections to insure your personal belongings as well as your home business, farm, ranch or condo. If your community in Washington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), you can also purchase flood protection through your State Farm policy, with variable rates depending on the risk in your area.
State Farm offers unique resources that add convenience to your homeowners policy. State Farm has articles and videos that can help you make an array of decisions such as selecting levels of coverage, installing home-monitoring systems, and making home-efficiency improvements. Should you experience a loss, its Premier Service and Contractor Locator service can put you directly in contact with local contractors in your area who can assist with repair and replacement of your property after a covered loss.
State Farm is also backed by one of the largest claims networks in the world, so you can feel confident with the service you will receive. Simply file a claim online, over the phone using its 24-hour claims line, or in person with a State Farm agent, and you can expect immediate and personalized attention that keeps you informed each step of the way. State Farm has an A++ (“superior”) rating for financial strength from A.M. Best and an AA from S&P Global Ratings.
Nationwide
Nationwide offers Washington residents affordable coverage options and prompt claims management. It has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau, which is the highest rating the BBB gives. A standard Nationwide homeowners insurance policy protects against any damage made to your home or additional structures on your property (such as a shed), as well as your personal belongings. You can supplement this coverage with one of its many comprehensive add-on coverage options, including Brand New Belongings coverage, which replaces destroyed property with brand-new versions.
Nationwide has solid discount options available for customers. You can receive 30 percent off for residing in a new or recently renovated home, 20 percent off for bundling policies, 15 percent off for installing protective devices, and 5 percent off for being married. Nationwide also offers every policyholder a free On Your Side review with an agent who can help you learn how to manage your deductible and make sure you fully understand your policy, benefits and the level of coverage you have opted for.
Liberty Mutual
Liberty Mutual is a go-to option if you’re looking for a policy that can be tailored to meet your budgetary needs. The company offers more discount options than many of its competitors. Customers can receive price breaks for belonging to one of Liberty Mutual’s 14,000 affiliate groups, having a newer or recently renovated home, installing home-security devices such as smoke detectors, or requesting a quote with Liberty Mutual before their current homeowners insurance policy expires.
Standard coverage from Liberty Mutual protects your home and personal property and provides you with additional living expenses if your home is not livable after an emergency. Add-on options include personal liability insurance, extra coverage for valuables, and Liberty Mutual’s Home Protector Plus service, which is expanded coverage for unforeseen costs when rebuilding your home.
If you have to file a claim, you can contact Liberty Mutual’s 24/7 claims hotline, meet with a representative, go online or use its mobile app to get connected and start the process. The company also provides 24-hour emergency repair services 365 days a year. Liberty Mutual’s Contractor Network Referral Program connects you with a contractor so you can get the immediate assistance necessary to make your home safe.
Liberty Mutual rates well for financial strength. A.M. Best and S&P Global Ratings both give it an A.
Farmers Insurance
If you own a newer Washington home, Farmers provides discount options tailored to save you money on a comprehensive policy for your property. Farmers offers discounts for homes that are equipped with protective devices such as alarms, have certified green features, homes with non-smoking residents, and those with recently replaced roofs or updates to major systems such as plumbing and electrical.
Farmers also offers some of the strongest claims tools in the industry for homeowners. You can file a claim over the phone with a representative, in person with a local agent, online, or by using the Farmers iClaim mobile app. Once your claim is received, it’s assigned to a claims professional. Unlike some other providers, Farmers allows you to stay on top of your claim by monitoring the daily progress of the process until settlement using its online Claims Tracker tool. Farmers Insurance has a good track record with customers and an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
Another notable feature of from Farmers is its Inner Circle online resource center. Inner Circle’s Home Tool Kit offers checklists, articles, tips and all kinds of information for homeowners on maintenance, disaster prevention, renovation and making your home safe for babies.
How much is homeowners insurance in Washington?
The average homeowners insurance premium in Washington is $653 per year. That’s 47 percent less than the nation’s average of $1,288. Your premium cost could differ from the average based on your location and other factors.
Washington Rate Factors
Location is one of the biggest factors to impact the cost of homeowners insurance. Insurance companies will consider things like your local population density, how prone your area is to various natural disasters, and how close your home is to a fire station. They’ll also look at the history of claims filed in your area when determining your rate.
The 4 Best Washington Homeowners Insurance Companies
- State Farm
- Nationwide
- Liberty Mutual
- Farmers Insurance
Check out our Complete Guide to Homeowners Insurance for more tips on choosing a homeowner insurance provider. Plus, see our national picks for the Best Home Insurance Companies for 2019.
