Why do house insurance quotes vary so much?

Asked by: Onie Becker  |  Last update: November 18, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (73 votes)

Simply put, your insurer may view your policy as more costly to insure. The same can apply to those who live in an area where homeowners generally file more claims. This can include areas with higher rates of burglary or adverse weather events. Construction costs go up.

Why are home insurance quotes so different?

Many factors affect your home insurance quote, from the size of your house to the things in your closet. Companies weigh these factors in different ways, so one insurer might be more lenient than another about your credit history or your backyard trampoline. To find the best rate, shop around with multiple insurers.

What is the 80% rule in homeowners insurance?

The 80% rule means that an insurance company will pay the replacement cost of damage to a home as long as the owner has purchased coverage equal to at least 80% of the home's total replacement value.

Why did my homeowners insurance go up so much in 2024?

Climate change, inflation and industry woes have caused premiums to soar nationwide. Homeowners insurance rates rose dramatically between 2023 and 2024, according to a Bankrate analysis of rate data from Quadrant Information Services.

How much would homeowners insurance for $100,000 cost?

The average premium to insure a home with a replacement cost of $100,000 is $97 per month, while a $600,000 dwelling limit costs about $343 a month. This difference in rates is one of the many reasons that knowing your home value is crucial when choosing a policy.

What Is a Home Insurance Quote?

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How many home insurance quotes should you get?

We recommend comparing at least five insurance quotes before making a decision. However, before you pick the policy with the lowest premium rate, there are several other factors you need to consider. The following tips will ensure your protection pays off in the long-run.

What state has the worst insurance rates?

Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, Florida, and Colorado are the most expensive states for homeowners insurance. Oklahoma has the highest average cost of homeowners insurance in the U.S. at $5,858 per year.

Is home insurance becoming unaffordable?

Take California, where insurance costs in certain communities have surged by more than 300% between 2020 and 2023 because of severe wildfire and flooding damage. That's “particularly burdensome” for low-income and middle-class homeowners who are dependent on mortgages, Barrett says.

What state has the cheapest homeowners insurance?

Hawaii, Vermont, Maine, New Hampshire and Delaware are the cheapest states for home insurance. These states tend to have either fewer natural disasters or lower costs to rebuild a home, and sometimes both.

What is the 50% rule in insurance?

In California's personal injury cases, the concept of 50/50 liability applies when both parties are equally responsible for an accident or incident. This shared responsibility is also referred to as equal fault or shared fault, and it falls under the broader category of comparative fault.

How do you know if you re paying too much homeowners insurance?

One big way to find out if you're being overcharged for your insurance is to look at what your policy covers. Your home insurance coverage will vary based on your location. But, if you have coverage for everything imaginable and there is a very low risk of it happening, this can drive your costs up.

Who has the most expensive home insurance?

The average rate of home insurance premiums for these states has breached the national average cost by more than a hundred percent. At the top is the state of Florida, where homeowners pay a whopping $5,770 per year to insure their homes and properties according to the latest analysis by Bankrate.

Does age of house affect insurance?

Home insurance for older properties tends to be more expensive because: Structures and systems that have seen decades (or even centuries) of wear and tear are more likely to cause problems.

Can I choose my own homeowners insurance?

While many lenders provide insurance referrals, choosing a home insurance company is your decision. You're responsible for making sure the coverages on your policy adequately protect your residence, detached structures, and personal belongings.

How are people affording home insurance?

Bundling insurance policies also can simplify your bill paying and record-keeping, according to the Insurance Information Institute. Keep your deductible high. Higher deductibles equal lower premiums. Going to a $1,000 deductible from $500, for instance, can shave your premium by 25 percent, the institute says.

What states are becoming uninsurable?

Florida and Louisiana are ahead of California in this and running out of money for insurers and in properties being uninsurable and nothing's really changed. You still have building in high-risk areas in Florida and Louisiana. In California, especially, you have a lack of affordable housing.

Will homeowners insurance go down in 2024?

Will homeowners insurance go down in 2024? Unfortunately, home insurance rates will continue to soar in 2024, according to Insurify's analysis. Annual home premiums are expected to jump by an average of 6% nationally, from $2,377 to $2,522. The rate hikes are projected to reach as high as 23% in some states.

What states is it hard to get home insurance in?

Florida and California have seen a mass exodus of insurance companies, but they are not the only states insurance companies are pulling out of. Homeowners in Massachusetts, Louisiana, Colorado, Minnesota, Arkansas, Nebraska and Oklahoma may also struggle to find a policy.

What is the 80% rule when it comes to insuring a home?

The 80% rule dictates that homeowners must have replacement cost coverage worth at least 80% of their home's total replacement cost to receive full coverage from their insurance company.

How to get around high homeowners insurance?

  1. Shop around for the best home insurance rates.
  2. Bundle your home and auto policies.
  3. Increase your home insurance deductible.
  4. Improve home security.
  5. Make home improvements.
  6. Review your coverage every year.
  7. Ask about savings.
  8. Consider actual cash value vs. replacement cost.