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Bottom Line
- 1 The national average is about $2,230/year, but your state changes everything. Florida and Louisiana homeowners pay 3-4x that. Get local quotes, not national estimates.
- 2 Bundling home + auto is the fastest 15-25% discount you will find. State Farm and Allstate offer the most consistent bundle savings across states.
- 3 Your standard HO-3 policy does NOT cover floods or earthquakes. If you are in a flood zone (or even near one), you need a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
- 4 Bumping your deductible from $500 to $1,000 typically saves 15-25% on your premium. Just make sure you can comfortably cover that $1,000 out of pocket if you need to file.
- 5 Every insurer on our list holds an A or better AM Best rating. In insurance, financial strength is not a nice-to-have -- it is the difference between getting paid and getting excuses after a hurricane.
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Homeowners insurance premiums have climbed roughly 30% since 2020, and in disaster-prone states like Florida and Louisiana, some homeowners are paying $5,000-8,000 a year. The company you pick matters enormously -- not just for price, but for what happens when a tree falls on your roof at 2 AM. We compared 30+ insurers on real-world claims experiences, financial strength, pricing across multiple states, and the quality of their actual coverage (not just what they advertise). These five earned our recommendation.
How They Stack Up
| Metric |
State Farm Top Pick
|
Lemonade |
Allstate |
Progressive Home (ASI) |
USAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agent Network | 18,000+ agents | AI-powered claims | 10,000+ agents | Online + agents | Members only |
| Avg. Premium | $1,820/yr avg. | $1,450/yr avg. | $2,150/yr avg. | $1,680/yr avg. | $1,580/yr avg. |
| A.M. Best Rating | A++ | A- | A+ | A+ | A++ |
| Rating |
4.9
|
4.8
|
4.7
|
4.6
|
4.8
|
How to Choose Homeowners Insurance
First, understand what you are actually buying. A standard HO-3 policy covers four things: the structure of your home (dwelling), your stuff (personal property), lawsuits if someone gets hurt on your property (liability), and hotel/rental costs if your home is unlivable (additional living expenses). The most common mistake: setting dwelling coverage at your home's market value instead of its replacement cost. A $400K house in a hot market might cost $500K to rebuild from scratch. Insure the rebuild number.
Get at least 3-5 quotes for identical coverage levels -- same deductible, same dwelling amount, same liability limits. Then look beyond price. Check the insurer's AM Best rating (A+ or higher is ideal), J.D. Power claims satisfaction scores, and NAIC complaint ratios. A cheap policy from a company that fights every claim is not actually cheap.
Know your gaps. Standard policies do NOT cover floods, earthquakes, or sewer backup -- and these are exactly the disasters that devastate homeowners financially. If you are anywhere near a flood zone, get a separate flood policy (30-day waiting period, so buy before you need it). And if you own jewelry, art, or collectibles worth more than $2,500, you need a scheduled personal property endorsement because standard limits are shockingly low.
Important Tip
Walk through every room with your phone camera and record a video narrating what you own and its approximate value. Upload it to cloud storage. This takes 30 minutes and can mean the difference between a $15,000 claims payout and a $75,000 one. After a fire or major loss, most people cannot remember half of what they owned.
Our Top Picks for Home Insurance
1. State Farm
Best OverallState Farm insures about 1 in 5 American homes, and the reason is straightforward: their 18,000+ local agents give you a real human to call when a pipe bursts at midnight. The A++ AM Best rating ($130B+ in total assets) means they have the deepest pockets in the industry for paying claims. Their standard HO-3 policy includes identity restoration coverage and equipment breakdown protection at no extra cost -- perks that other insurers charge for as add-ons. Bundling with auto saves up to 20%, and you get additional discounts for new homes, security systems, and claims-free history. The trade-off is price: State Farm premiums often run higher than online-only competitors like Lemonade. And in some states, you cannot get an online quote -- you have to talk to an agent. For homeowners who want a trusted name and face-to-face service, State Farm is the gold standard.
2. Lemonade
Best for Digital ExperienceLemonade is what happens when a tech company builds insurance from scratch. Everything lives in the app -- get a quote in 90 seconds, customize your coverage, file a claim and potentially get paid in under 3 minutes. Their AI chatbot Maya holds the record for approving a claim in 2 seconds flat. Policies start at $25/month, which makes Lemonade one of the most affordable options for straightforward homes. Their Giveback model donates unclaimed premiums to charity, which feels good but also aligns their incentives nicely -- they are not motivated to fight legitimate claims. The real question with Lemonade is track record: they are only 10 years old, and their AM Best rating (A-) lags behind legacy carriers. They are also not available in all 50 states. For a tech-savvy homeowner with a standard property in a low-risk area, Lemonade is hard to beat on price and experience. For complex claims or high-value properties, you probably want a more established insurer.
3. Allstate
Best for BundlingAllstate is the customizer's choice. Their Your Choice program includes features nobody else matches: Claim RateGuard (your rate does not jump after your first claim), Deductible Rewards (drops your deductible $100 for each claim-free year, up to $500), and Claim-Free Bonus (actual cashback for not filing). They also offer green improvement coverage -- if you have a covered loss, you can rebuild with eco-friendly materials -- plus yard and garden coverage that most insurers skip entirely. Their Digital Locker app lets you photograph and catalog everything you own for a home inventory, which is a lifesaver at claims time. The downside is cost: Allstate premiums tend to run above average, and some of the best features (like Claim RateGuard) cost extra. With 10,000+ agents plus full app and online access, you get the hybrid experience of personal service when you want it and self-service when you do not.
4. Progressive Home (ASI)
Best for DiscountsProgressive's home insurance (underwritten by their subsidiary ASI) shines brightest when bundled with Progressive auto. The combined discount can hit 20%, which often makes them the cheapest total package for home + car. Their HomeQuote Explorer is one of the best tools in insurance -- it shows you quotes from Progressive and multiple competing carriers side by side, so you can verify you are getting the best deal. Beyond standard coverage, their service line protection (covers underground pipes and wiring -- the stuff that costs $5,000-15,000 to dig up and repair) is an underrated add-on. The caveat: your home policy is technically through ASI, not Progressive directly, and claims satisfaction scores run slightly below State Farm and USAA. Discounts stack nicely though -- new home purchase, protective devices, paperless billing, pay-in-full, and prior insurance all chip away at the premium.
5. USAA
Best for Military FamiliesUSAA tops J.D. Power satisfaction rankings for homeowners insurance year after year, and their policies include a feature most insurers charge extra for: guaranteed replacement cost coverage. That means if your home is destroyed, they rebuild it to its original condition even if the cost exceeds your policy limits. In a world where construction costs have spiked 30-40%, that guarantee is worth its weight in gold. They also include personal property replacement cost (no depreciation deductions) and $300K in liability standard. Military-specific perks like deployment discounts, storage coverage during PCS moves, and worldwide personal property protection make them uniquely suited for service members. Premiums are consistently below the industry average. The only barrier is eligibility: active-duty military, veterans with honorable discharge, and their immediate families. If you qualify, check USAA before anyone else.
Coverage & Options
30%Standard coverage limits, replacement cost vs. actual cash value, available endorsements, and add-on breadth. We gave extra weight to insurers that include valuable coverages (like equipment breakdown) standard rather than as paid extras.
Pricing & Discounts
25%We compared premiums across 8 states for the same coverage levels, cataloged every available discount, and calculated the realistic all-in cost after applicable discounts for a typical homeowner.
Claims Satisfaction
25%This is where the rubber meets the road. J.D. Power claims scores, NAIC complaint ratios, and real customer reviews about how the insurer behaved when things went wrong -- not just when they were selling the policy.
Financial Strength
20%AM Best ratings, total assets, surplus reserves, and historical performance after catastrophic events like hurricanes. We want to know the insurer can pay 10,000 claims simultaneously without flinching.
We evaluated 30+ homeowners insurance providers by pulling real quotes across multiple states and property profiles, analyzing J.D. Power claims satisfaction data, verifying AM Best financial ratings, and reviewing NAIC complaint ratios to find the insurers that deliver on both price and claims experience.
How We Tested
Economic Snapshot
Source: Federal Reserve Economic Data (FRED). Indicators refresh daily.
Financial News & Regulation
Apr 21, 2026Holding Government Contractors Accountable for Wrongdoing
Jan 21, 2025Argus Information and Advisory Services, a subsidiary of TransUnion, has agreed in writing that it will not seek any government contract with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for three years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauStrengthening Appraisal Oversight: Progress at the Appraisal Subcommittee
Jan 17, 2025CFPB Deputy Director Zixta Martinez discusses changes at the ASC since she became Chair in 2022, including enhanced state oversight, landmark hearings on appraisal bias, and improved collaboration with The Appraisal Foundation to create a more equitable and accountable appraisal industry.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauBack from the Dead: Zombie Second Mortgages
Jan 17, 2025Forgotten second mortgages may be coming back to haunt homeowners who haven’t received notices or account statements for years.
Blog | Consumer Financial Protection BureauFederal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement actions with Crédit Agricole S.A. and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd, and the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
Apr 9, 2026Federal Reserve Board announces termination of enforcement actions with Crédit Agricole S.A. and Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank, Mega International Commercial Bank Co., Ltd, and the Goldman Sachs Group, Inc.
FRB: Press Release - All ReleasesHeadlines sourced from government agencies and legal publications. Updated every 12 hours.
Authoritative Resources on Insurance
We referenced these regulatory sources while evaluating insurance providers.
NAIC — Insurance Regulator Map
National Association of Insurance CommissionersFind your state insurance department and verify insurer licensing.
USA.gov — Insurance
USA.govGovernment guide to health, auto, home, and life insurance basics.
CFPB — Insurance Coverage
Consumer Financial Protection BureauCFPB resources on insurance-related financial products and consumer protections.
FEMA — Flood Insurance
Federal Emergency Management AgencyNational Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) information for homeowners.
CMS — Health Insurance Marketplace
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid ServicesOfficial ACA marketplace for health insurance plans, subsidies, and enrollment.
SSA — Social Security & Medicare
Social Security AdministrationMedicare enrollment, disability benefits, and retirement planning resources.
About the Author
Jessica Torres
Licensed Insurance Analyst
Jessica Torres is a licensed insurance analyst at Zogby with over 8 years of experience covering homeowners, renters, and property insurance. She holds a Property & Casualty license and a degree in Risk Management from the University of Georgia. Jessica has been published in Insurance Journal, Forbes Advisor, and US News, and her work focuses on helping homeowners find full-spectrum coverage at competitive prices.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Important Homeowners Insurance Disclaimers
- Insurance quotes and premiums shown are estimates only and may vary based on your location, property characteristics, coverage level, deductible, claims history, and other factors. Contact the insurer directly for an accurate quote.
- Coverage availability, terms, conditions, and exclusions vary by state, insurer, and policy. Not all coverage types or discounts are available in all states. Review the policy documents carefully before purchasing.
- Insurance products are underwritten and issued by the respective insurance companies, not by Zogby. We are an independent comparison service and do not sell, bind, or issue insurance policies.
- Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood or earthquake damage. These perils require separate policies. Contact FEMA or a licensed agent for flood insurance options.
- Pre-existing damage, intentional acts, and certain high-risk activities may be excluded from coverage. Read your policy's exclusions section carefully.
The information provided on this page is for general informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as, and should not be construed as, financial, legal, tax, or investment advice. Always consult with a qualified professional before making any financial decisions.
Editorial Independence
We make money from some companies on this page. That doesn't change our rankings -- the editorial team scores every product independently, and the business side has no say in what we recommend.