While known for its warm, sunny climate, Savannah is a coastal city that experiences rough weather conditions during tropical storm season. Given the high risk of coastal windstorm damage, Savannah residents should make sure they have a comprehensive homeowners insurance policy. Those who live right along the coast are at especially high risk for flooding, which makes additional flood insurance an important part of protecting your home.
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.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Savannah
Of the companies we evaluated, we found Allstate has the lowest rates in Savannah, with an average policy cost of $779 per year. That’s 65% less than the citywide average. Average annual rates for Auto-Owners Insurance and State Farm are also less than the city average.
Looking at the largest companies in Savannah by market share, Policygenius analyzed the latest rate data from Quadrant Information Services. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Savannah residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Savannah.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $1,875 | 835 |
Allstate | $779 | 829 |
USAA | $2,465 | 882 |
Travelers | $2,549 | 800 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,130 | 831 |
There's a reason State Farm is one of the top-rated insurance companies in the U.S. — its customer satisfaction ratings are through the roof, it offers a slew of coverage add-ons for full protection, and makes filing claims through its mobile app a breeze.
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and service line coverage
Get up to $1 million in personal liability coverage
Score discounts for bundling, installing security devices, and choosing a high deductible
File and track claims online, over the phone, in person, or through its mobile app
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers or going a year without a claim
Read our full State Farm home insurance review
Why State Farm tops our best list
Customer satisfaction ratings for State Farm are consistently high, which means people are generally pleased with the coverage, policy cost, and customer service they receive with State Farm. One thing in particular that stands out is State Farm’s mobile app, which allows you to manage your policy, pay bills, and file claims all in one place.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Why Allstate tops our best list
Allstate homeowners insurance is affordable and highly rated, so it comes as little surprise that this is one of the most popular insurers in Savannah. If you’re looking for personalized coverage that suits your specific needs, discounts galore, and hassle-free online claim tracking and digital tools, look no further than Allstate.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate
Why USAA tops our best list
Of the best home insurance companies in Savannah, the highest J.D. Power rating belongs to USAA, which received a score of 882 out of 1,000. In addition to these high marks, USAA also has cheap rates and numerous rate-saving opportunities, including discounts for being a loyal customer, choosing eco-friendly billing, and for going a certain number of years without filing a claim.
Note that USAA is only an option for members of the military and their families.
How to get a quote
Online through USAA
With over 165 years of experience and impeccable financial ratings, Travelers is one of the most trusted home insurance companies in the business. It offers personalized coverage and a slew of policy add-ons to ensure you have exactly the right protection.
Pros
4 customizable policy packages with several available add-ons, like extended replacement cost and water backup coverage
Offers eco-friendly green home coverage and discounts
Protect expensive family heirlooms and appliances with equipment breakdown, guaranteed replacement cost, and personal articles coverage
File claims online — plus, Travelers has special catastrophe centers for claims after a natural disaster
Cons
Below-average customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Read our full Travelers home insurance review here
Why Travelers tops our best list
As one of the oldest major insurance providers in the game, Travelers is a trusted company with great financial stability. While its an older company, Travelers hasn’t had an issue adapting to the needs of the modern customer, offering discounts for eco-friendly homes and providing special smart home discounts for the tech-oriented homeowner.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Travelers
Auto-Owners is the 12th largest home insurance provider in the U.S. thanks to its low rates, numerous discounts, and robust coverage options — including inland flood insurance.
Pros
Excellent coverage add-ons, including inland flood insurance, guaranteed replacement cost, and equipment breakdown coverage
Flood insurance covers belongings in your basement — a rare find
Save on premiums by bundling policies, paying off your mortgage, choosing a high deductible, having a backup generator, and more
Cons
Can't file claims online — you must call or visit an agent to get started
Why Auto-Owners Insurance tops our best list
Auto-Owners Insurance offers good flexibility for customizing your insurance coverage. You can add flood insurance to your policy that covers belongings in your basement (a rarity), and you also have the option of guaranteed replacement cost coverage. Auto-Owners also offers several ways to save, including a discount if you install a generator.
How to get a quote
Online through Auto-Owners Insurance
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by ZIP code in Savannah
The average cost for a home insurance policy in Savannah is $2,210, but your own home insurance rates will depend on your insurance company and exactly where you live within the city.
With an average annual rate of $779 in each of the 10 Savannah ZIP codes in this analysis, Allstate is the cheapest homeowners insurance company in Savannah.
ZIP code | Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
31401 | Allstate | $779 |
31404 | Allstate | $779 |
31405 | Allstate | $779 |
31406 | Allstate | $779 |
31407 | Allstate | $779 |
31409 | Allstate | $779 |
31415 | Allstate | $779 |
31419 | Allstate | $779 |
31421 | Allstate | $779 |
The most affordable areas for homeowners insurance in Savannah
The most affordable areas for home insurance are the 31407, 31421, 31401, 31406, and 31415 ZIP codes of Savannah. Those living in the 31407 ZIP code (Port Wentworth) pay an average of $2,115 per year — the cheapest average rate in Savannah.
One thing these ZIPs all have in common? They’re further from the coast than some of the more expensive areas for home insurance.
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
31407 | $2,115 |
31421 | $2,177 |
31401 | $2,189 |
31406 | $2,192 |
31415 | $2,222 |
The most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Savannah
The most expensive areas for home insurance in Savannah are the 31419, 31404, 31405, and 31409 ZIP codes. A few of these ZIPs border the Atlantic Coast, making homes susceptible to heavy winds and inclement weather.
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
31409 | $2,301 |
31405 | $2,241 |
31404 | $2,232 |
31419 | $2,226 |
31415 | $2,222 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Savannah
There’s a lot of factors that you’ll need to consider when shopping for homeowners insurance in Savannah. For one, you’ll want to make sure that your coverage limits reflect your individual needs. Opting for more dwelling coverage may cost more, but it’s worth considering as an added safety net for your home.
In this section, we break down the average annual policy cost in Savannah for several different coverage and deductible levels. We also looked at the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for certain high risk features, including homes with pools, and policyholders with poor credit or aggressive dog breeds.
Savannah home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your homeowners insurance that covers the physical structure of your home. It should be enough to cover your home’s replacement cost, which is the amount it would cost to completely rebuild your house from scratch.
As the table below shows, more dwelling coverage equals higher home insurance rates.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $1,040 |
$200,000 | $1,620 |
$300,000 | $2,210 |
$400,000 | $2,850 |
$500,000 | $3,502 |
Personal liability coverage pays for legal fees or medical bills if someone is hurt or their property is damaged and you’re determined to be responsible. You should have enough liability coverage to cover the value of your assets — from your house to your cars to your future income.
More personal liability coverage generally means higher home insurance rates. But the impact is often minimal compared to other factors, which may explain why this correlation isn’t necessarily the case in Savannah.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $2,047 |
$200,000 | $1,798 |
$300,000 | $2,210 |
$400,000 | $2,556 |
$500,000 | $2,219 |
Savannah home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your deductible is the amount you pay every time you file a claim. Choosing a higher deductible will generally lower your insurance premium. Just make sure you don’t pick a deductible that you’re not able to afford in the event of a claim.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $2,595 |
$1,000 | $2,210 |
$2,000 | $1,543 |
Home insurance discounts in Savannah
You may be eligible for discounts if your home is fitted with protective features like fire alarms or security systems, as these reduce the likelihood of a claim. Even having a deadbolt lock on your doors can help reduce your rates. A burglar alarm offers the highest discount, but those also cost the most to install, so there is a tradeoff.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Dead bolt | $2,203 |
Smoke alarm | $2,200 |
Burglar alarm | $2,100 |
Home insurance companies in Savannah for dog owners
You may pay extra if you have a dog in your home, but this all depends on the breed. Some dog breeds are more prone to biting than others and are viewed as a greater liability risk.
For that reason, having one of these breeds can often increase your insurance rates. Some insurance companies may refuse to insure you altogether if you have an especially high-risk dog breed. If you’re considering getting a new dog, you should check with your insurance company to see how this could impact your rates.
Here is the average annual rate from 5 Savannah insurance companies for a homeowner who owns a dog breed that is considered aggressive. Allstate has the lowest average rates, while Travelers has the highest rates.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $779 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,130 |
State Farm | $1,875 |
USAA | $2,465 |
Travelers | $2,549 |
Home insurance companies in Savannah for poor credit
Your credit score also impacts how much you pay for your homeowners insurance. The thought here is that homeowners with poor credit may not have the cash to pay for smaller issues out of pocket and will instead file a claim.
Here is the average yearly policy cost from 5 Savannah insurance companies for a homeowner with a poor credit score. Allstate has the lowest average rates in Savannah, while Auto-Owners Insurance has the highest rates.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $1,466 |
State Farm | $3,220 |
Travelers | $3,486 |
USAA | $3,526 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $12,097 |
Home insurance companies in Savannah for pool owners
Having a pool increases both your dwelling coverage — since it’s something additional to replace — as well as your liability risk. Pools are fun, but they come with a higher risk of injury, and this is often reflected in insurance rates.
Allstate has the lowest average rates for a home in Savannah with a pool, while Travelers has the highest rates.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $801 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,130 |
State Farm | $1,875 |
USAA | $2,465 |
Travelers | $2,549 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in Savannah
Here are the steps to take as you shop for homeowners insurance in Savannah:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our experts can help you figure out exactly what kind of homeowners coverage is best for your needs. They can explain the features of the policy, deductibles, and potential additional coverage to consider at no charge and without any impact to your credit score.
Ask about the Georgia Underwriting Association – Georgia’s FAIR plan provider. This is a plan that is designed to help cover homeowners in areas that are considered high risk. In Savannah, many homes may be ineligible for coverage with a standard company due to wind damage risk. You can also be considered high risk if you’ve filed frequent claims in the past. If you’re struggling to find coverage through a traditional insurer, ask your Policygenius agent if this coverage is a good option for you.
Consider flood insurance. This isn’t something every homeowner needs, but it’s something you should ask about if you live in Savannah. As a coastal city, there’s a higher chance of flooding due to major storms. There’s also a lot of rainfall in Savannah, which can cause flooding even if you don’t have an ocean view. Ask about your home’s flood risk and whether or not you need flood insurance.
Figure out how much of a deductible you can afford. A higher deductible can lower your premium, but that means you have to pay more out of pocket every time you file a claim. Consider carefully how much you’re comfortable paying and whether it will easily fit into your budget. Don’t go so high that your deductible becomes unmanageable.
Compare your Policygenius quotes. Once you figure out how much insurance you need, the kind of coverage you need, and your preferred deductible, then it’s time to look at quotes. Your Policygenius agent can help you evaluate quotes from each insurance company so you can make the best choice for your individual needs.
Sign your policy and pay your first premium. You’ve done all the legwork, figured out exactly what you need, and chosen the perfect insurance company for you. Now it’s time to sign the policy and make your first premium payment. Your Policygenius agent can even help you cancel your old policy if it’s not yet up for renewal.
Frequently asked questions
Why is homeowners insurance expensive in Georgia?
It may be expensive to get homeowners insurance in Georgia due to the high risk of coastal storm damage in cities like Savannah. This comes in the form of heavy rainfall and storm surge, but also hurricane-force winds.
Is homeowners insurance required in Georgia?
No, the State of Georgia does not require homeowners insurance. However, if you have a mortgage on your home, then your lender may require homeowners insurance with specific minimums. Inquire with your lender to be sure your insurance obligations are properly met.
How can I lower my insurance in Savannah?
Ask about discounts and consider bundling your home and auto policies with the same company to lower your rates even more. Additionally, look into installing a security system or going with a higher deductible to lower your annual premium.
