When it comes to severe weather and natural disasters, Arkansas isn’t the most dangerous state in the country. But it's also susceptible to the elements in all four seasons, including severe tornadoes and wildfires once spring and summer roll around, making homeowners insurance both necessary and costly.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas is $2,838 per year or $237 a month. This is around 62% higher than the national average of $1,754. Homeowners should not be deterred, however. There are many ways to save on home insurance to get the policy you need at an affordable price.
Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Arkansas
Policygenius found the best homeowners insurance companies in Arkansas by analyzing quotes across every ZIP code in the state. We also looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Arkansas residents to find the best homeowners insurance in the state.
Company | Average monthly cost | Policygenius rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
$334 | 5.0 out of 5 | ||
$241 | 4.8 out of 5 | ||
$191 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$234 | 4.4 out of 5 | ||
$599 | 4.4 out of 5 |
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Auto-Owners Insurance
5.0
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is our highest-rated homeowners insurance company in Arkansas thanks to its mix of extensive policy and coverage options, high marks for financial strength and customer experience ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers a slew of extra coverage add-ons
Lots of discounts available
Flood insurance available through the NFIP
Cons
Not able to get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for best overall company
Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for the best overall home insurance company in Arkansas. The company scored at least a 4 out of 5 for customer experience, coverage options, and financial strength, which earned it a perfect 5 out of 5 Policygenius rating.
With endorsements like guaranteed replacement cost, water backup protection, inland flood coverage, and a comprehensive Homeowners Plus endorsement package, Auto-Owners offers excellent value for the coverage you're getting.
Finally, while Auto-Owners offers cheap homeowners insurance, the company also offers a range of discounts that can help lower your insurance rates even more.
How do Auto-Owners Insurance home insurance rates compare to the Arkansas average?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Arkansas is $4,010 per year, according to sample quotes provided to us by Quadrant Information Services. This makes Auto-Owners Insurance about 41% more expensive than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
By calling an Auto-Owners Insurance agent.
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in Arkansas thanks to its large selection of policy options, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
More details
Why we chose State Farm
State Farm is one of the best home insurance companies in Arkansas, especially if you want to add coverage to a basic policy. State Farm lets homeowners get extended replacement cost coverage for their homes, replacement cost coverage for their personal property, water backup protection, and more.
State Farm's customer service is highly rated, too. The company has received high ratings from policyholders, according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys. It has also received the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Arkansas average?
The average cost of home insurance from State Farm in Arkansas is $2,890 per year, which is 2% more expensive than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.
2023 Policygenius award winner
Farmers
4.5
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Arkansas. The company has a range of coverage add-ons, discounts, and high claims satisfaction scores — and rates are lower than the average in Arkansas.
Pros and cons
Pros
Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage
Receives few complaints from policyholders
Lower rates than the state average in Oklahoma
Cons
Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys
More details
Why we chose Farmers
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Arkansas. You can customize your Farmers home insurance with coverage options like guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.
Farmers also earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it was below-average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Plus, Farmers receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Arkansas?
The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Arkansas is $2,293 per year, which is 19% cheaper than the average cost of home insurance in the state.
How to get a quote
Online through Farmers
2023 Policygenius award winner
Allstate
4.5
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Allstate is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Arkansas for people looking for more affordable premiums. Besides affordability, Allstate also offers a few perks to lower your deductible each year you go without filing a claim.
Pros and cons
Pros
Rates are much cheaper than average in Oklahoma
Extensive list of discounts and policy features to lower your bill and deductible costs
Offers HostAdvantage — an excellent short-term rental coverage add-on that can be seamlessly added to any policy.
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
Customer experience scores with J.D. Power are below the segment average
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Besides Allstate's lower-than-average premiums, its high customer satisfaction ratings and excellent coverage options make it a top choice for homeowners in Arkansas. We also like that Allstate has discounts for setting up automatic payments, bundling policies, and signing up for coverage before your current policy expires — all easy for many people to qualify for.
It also stands out thanks to its diminishing deductible program each year you go without filing a claim. Your rates also won't go up if you only file one claim within a five-year period.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Arkansas average?
The average cost of an Allstate home insurance policy in Arkansas is $2,808 per year, which is 1% cheaper than the state average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
Travelers
4.4
Bundle home & auto
New homebuyer discount
Mobile app
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Travelers offers some of the best homeowners insurance in Arkansas despite higher-than-average rates thanks to industry-best financial ratings and flexible policy options for most home types.
Pros and cons
Pros
Green home coverage and discounts
Offers short-term rental coverage for Airbnb hosts
Doesn’t require prior insurance on the home
Cons
Subpar customer service ratings with J.D. Power
Underwhelming number of available discounts
More details
Why we chose Travelers
Travelers is a reputable home insurance provider that offers comprehensive policy options. One of Travelers's benefits is its willingness to cover risks that other insurance companies won't. These risks include no prior insurance coverage, coverage for short term rentals, and liability protection for trampoline injuries if its fitted with protective netting.
How do Travelers home insurance rates compare to the Arkansas state average?
The average cost of Travelers home insurance in Arkansas is $7,190 per year, which is significantly pricier than the state average annual premium of $2,838.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Travelers
How much is homeowners insurance in Arkansas?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas is $2,838 per year, or $237 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in Arkansas is more expensive than the national average cost of $1,754 per year.
Arkansas homeowners insurance rates by city
Home insurance costs in Arkansas can vary widely depending on where you live. For example, home insurance in Springdale costs $2,487 per year, while in Sherwood the average cost of coverage is just $3,006 per year.
Here’s a look at the average cost of home insurance in the 20 largest cities in Arkansas.
City | Average monthly cost | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Little Rock | $237 | $2,843 | 0% |
Fayetteville | $209 | $2,513 | -11% |
Fort Smith | $230 | $2,761 | -3% |
Springdale | $207 | $2,487 | -12% |
Jonesboro | $249 | $2,983 | 5% |
Rogers | $207 | $2,485 | -12% |
Conway | $230 | $2,754 | -3% |
North Little Rock | $236 | $2,829 | 0% |
Bentonville | $210 | $2,519 | -11% |
Pine Bluff | $255 | $3,059 | 8% |
Hot Springs | $239 | $2,869 | 1% |
Benton | $228 | $2,738 | -4% |
Sherwood | $251 | $3,006 | 6% |
Bella Vista | $204 | $2,447 | -14% |
Paragould | $235 | $2,823 | -1% |
Texarkana | $242 | $2,906 | 2% |
Russellville | $224 | $2,693 | -5% |
Jacksonville | $227 | $2,727 | -4% |
Cabot | $221 | $2,648 | -7% |
West Memphis | $250 | $3,003 | 6% |
Arkansas homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount
The table below highlights the average annual premium in Arkansas for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.
Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.
Dwelling coverage limit | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $1,385 |
$200,000 | $2,112 |
$300,000 | $2,838 |
$400,000 | $3,594 |
$500,000 | $4,439 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Arkansas
Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Arkansas, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Arkansas are State Auto, Farmers, and Latter & Blum Insurance.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$1,616 | |
$2,293 | |
Latter & Blum Insurance | $2,425 |
$2,514 | |
$2,515 | |
$2,701 | |
$2,808 | |
$2,890 | |
$3,593 | |
$3,748 | |
$4,010 | |
$7,190 |
Cheapest Arkansas homeowners insurance if you have poor credit
If you have a poor credit score, your homeowners insurance rates will be higher. Insurance companies charge higher premiums to homeowners with lower credit scores because they believe these policyholders are more likely to make future claims.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Latter & Blum Insurance | $2,812 |
Shelter Insurance | $3,257 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $3,453 |
Allstate | $4,372 |
Farmers | $4,388 |
USAA | $4,798 |
State Farm | $4,967 |
Nationwide | $5,122 |
State Auto | $5,879 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $6,587 |
Foremost | $6,960 |
Travelers | $24,554 |
Cheapest Arkansas homeowners insurance if you have an older home
Older and historic homes are usually more expensive to insure than newer homes. Insurers consider them a higher risk because they can be fragile, their construction materials may be obsolete, and certain structural components like the roof or plumbing may not be in good shape or up to current-day code.
Here are the cheapest home insurance options in Arkansas for a 50-year-old home.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
State Auto | $1,682 |
Farmers | $2,521 |
Latter & Blum Insurance | $2,561 |
USAA | $2,601 |
Shelter Insurance | $2,604 |
Allstate | $2,813 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,875 |
State Farm | $2,883 |
Foremost | $3,281 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $3,913 |
Nationwide | $4,310 |
Travelers | $9,294 |
Cheapest Arkansas homeowners insurance if you have a history of claims
One of the biggest factors that plays a role in your home insurance premium is your claims history. You'll typically pay more for home insurance if you have multiple claims on your record, since insurers perceive you as posing a greater risk of filing more claims later on.
Here are the cheapest home insurance companies in Arkansas for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Farm Bureau Insurance | $2,747 |
State Farm | $2,883 |
Latter & Blum Insurance | $3,170 |
State Auto | $3,240 |
Farmers | $3,591 |
USAA | $3,808 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $4,010 |
Allstate | $4,945 |
Shelter Insurance | $5,057 |
Nationwide | $6,186 |
Foremost | $8,457 |
Travelers | $11,447 |
Coverage options in Arkansas
When buying homeowners insurance in Arkansas, you should be aware of what your policy does and doesn’t cover. There are a few additional types of insurance you may need to consider getting to protect against the state’s flooding, wildfires, and tornadoes.
Flood insurance
Most homeowners insurance policies don’t cover flood damage, so Arkansas residents in at-risk areas should consider flood insurance on top of their regular insurance policy.
In addition to comparing home insurance quotes, homeowners in Arkansas can also compare private flood insurance rates with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program.
Tornado insurance
Although homeowners insurance usually covers wind and tornado damage, be sure you have enough insurance to rebuild your home if it's destroyed in a tornado by adding replacement cost coverage to your policy.
It's possible that a company won't cover wind damage or may charge a separate deductible after a tornado damages your home. In this case, you could get a separate windstorm policy — or find another company that does cover wind damage.
Wildfire insurance
It's important for homeowners in Arkansas to be prepared for stronger and more frequent wildfires. While most home insurance policies cover fire damage, consider adding replacement cost coverage to be sure you can fully rebuild your home after a fire.
You may have a hard time getting coverage if you live somewhere that's prone to wildfires. If this is the case, you could get coverage from a surplus lines carrier or take steps to lower your fire risk:
Creating a defensible space around your home by removing flammable vegetation
Tree pruning
Raking or removing any dead leaves or brush from your roof, gutter, or yard
Installing a fire-resistant “Class A” roof
Installing dual- or triple-paned windows
How to buy homeowners insurance in Arkansas
If you live in Arkansas, your homeowners insurance should have enough dwelling coverage to pay to rebuild your home in case it’s destroyed in a fire or tornado; as well as any additional coverage options that keep your home well protected.
Here are some steps to take when looking for your ideal policy:
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas is $3,391 per year or $283 a month.
Do older homes cost more to insure?
Older homes tend to be more expensive to insure because they are more likely to need expensive repairs. Older homes may also need to be brought up to modern standards during repairs, or may require materials that are outdated, which also drive up the cost of insurance.
Do I really need homeowners insurance?
While homeowners insurance is not legally required in Arkansas, it’s a relatively small price to pay when compared to the potentially thousands of dollars you may need to spend if a tornado or wildfire damages your house. Homeowners insurance not only protects you from natural disasters, but also from theft and vandalism as well as expensive liability lawsuits. Most mortgage lenders will also require you to have homeowners insurance as a stipulation of your loan agreement.
