Florida Tops Texas For Highest Homeowners Insurance Rates On Average
Did you know that Florida homeowners tend to pay higher than average rates due to risk factors such as frequent severe weather as well as the cost of real estate, construction costs and very dense populations.
Looking for ways to lower your homeowners insurance premium?
Don’t move to Florida.
Despite the fact that Florida has not seen a major hurricane is over 10 years, residents of the sunshine state still pay the highest homeowner premiums in the country according to a recent report from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
The report found that Florida homeowners are paying an average of $2,115 a year for homeowner coverage, this is an increase from $2,084 in the previous year and is roughly twice the national average which came in at $1,096.
The report calculated the average annual premium that homeowners in each state pay for homeowners insurance. States such as Florida tend to pay higher than average rates due to risk factors such as frequent severe weather as well as the cost of real estate, construction costs and very dense populations.
Texas managed a second place finish this year and Louisiana rounded out the top three. Here are the top 10 most expensive states when it comes to homeowners insurance:
- Florida – $2,115
- Texas – $1,837
- Louisiana – $1,822
- Oklahoma – $1,654
- Mississippi – $1,395
- Kansas – $1,343
- Rhode Island – $1,334
- Alabama – $1,323
- Connecticut – $1,274
- Massachusetts – $1,263
Why So Expensive?
There are a number of reasons homeowners insurance rates can be expensive in certain areas, everything from the age of houses in the area, to the materials they are built from, to construction costs all have an effect on your premium, but weather is usually the biggest contributing factor.
The top three states are victims of frequent severe weather, and dense populations. In addition, vacation and retirement areas tend to have more expensive homeowners insurance costs because so many homes are located on or near the coast and real estate values tend to be high.
Frequent hurricanes, are the major risk factor that the top three have in common. As an example, despite 10 hurricane free years, Florida still has the nation’s highest insured catastrophe losses. There were a total of $68 billion in insured catastrophe losses from 1985 to 2014 making Florida number one in the country.
Louisiana is another state where severe hurricane damage has pushed homeowners rates up for years. Hurricane Katrina destroyed much of New Orleans and the damage from flooding was extensive.
It is important to remember that the standard homeowners policy does not cover flood or earthquake damage. If you live in an area where hurricanes, tornadoes, or severe thunderstorms often cause flooding adding a flood insurance policy to your insurance portfolio is a necessity.
The National Flood Insurance Program sets flood policy prices so there is no need to shop on price, simply find an insurance company you are comfortable working with and purchase the policy directly from them. Flood insurance prices vary dramatically, ranging from very affordable to extremely expensive depending on where your property is located.
Check local flood maps and get an insurance quote on any property you are considering to make sure there are no surprises when it comes time to write a policy for your new home.
Tips for Saving Money
Consider moving to one of the following states, which had the lowest homeowners premiums in the country.
- Idaho – $561
- Oregon – $568
- Utah – $609
- Wisconsin – $665
- Washington State – $676
If you’re unwilling to move to one of these states here are a few tips on how to lower your homeowner premium.
Shop Around: This is the number one way to lower your insurance costs. Insurers rate risk differently so the trick is to find the insurance company that likes your type of risk. Experts recommend shopping your coverage at least once a year. We can help, simply complete our home insurance quoting application and we will help you shop and compare up to 12 rates and coverage options.
Raise Your Deductible: Bumping your deductible up can shave up to 25% off of your premium. Consider going from $500 to $1,000 if you can afford it. Make sure you keep your deductible in the affordable range for your budget.
Bundle Your Policies: Purchasing all of your insurance products from the same insurance company can lower your overall costs. Expect to save up to 20% by bundling your various insurance products.
Disaster Proof Your Home: This is especially true if you live in a high-risk area. Adding storm shutters, reinforcing your roof, or retrofitting older homes to withstand earthquakes and other natural disaster can result in a discount. Installing a sprinkler system can be a bigger money saver.