The city of Boston is rich with history, arts and entertainment, colleges, and a vibrant nightlife. Whether you enjoy being on the water, exploring a museum, or taking a walking tour down the streets of our founding fathers, there’s something for everyone. Despite the abundant treasures of the city, New England winters, coastal flooding, and high crime rates are just some of the reasons why Bostonians should protect their homes with a good homeowners insurance policy.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Boston is $1,562 per year or $130 a month. This is around 12% higher than the statewide average of $1,382 per year, and about 19% lower than the national average of $1,899.
However, cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Boston.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Boston
Of the companies we looked at, Safety Insurance has the lowest rate with an average yearly cost of $1,129. This is $433 below the average cost of home insurance in Boston, and $253 below the Massachusetts average. MAPFRE Insurance and Arbella Insurance are also both below the average annual rate in Boston at $1,227 and $1,351, respectively.
In addition to cost, it’s important to consider other factors such as a company’s policy offerings and customer and claim satisfaction ratings with entities like J.D. Power.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Boston insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022. We then looked at 2021 J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of Boston residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Boston.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
---|---|---|
MAPFRE Insurance | $1,227 | -- |
Safety Insurance | $1,129 | -- |
The Andover | $1,600 | -- |
Chubb | $2,000 | 801 |
Arbella Insurance | $1,351 | -- |
Why MAPFRE Insurance tops our best list
With homes dating back to the 1600’s, Boston residents living in historical houses will love MAPFRE’s specialized policies. If your antique home is damaged and in need of repair from a covered event, MAPFRE will help find the contractors and materials needed to restore your home to its historical best.
How to get a quote
Online through MAPFRE
Why Safety Insurance tops our best list
Not only does Safety offer multiple levels of coverage so you can find the best policy for your house and budget, they also have several discounts and credits available to save their customers money. You can save 20% for bundling home and auto, 18% for a new home, and 16% for a fire and burglar alarm.
How to get a quote
By calling a Safety Insurance agent
Why The Andover tops our best list
The Andover has been in business since 1828 and prides itself on its customer service, quality coverage, and ability to personalize your policy to make it work for you. They have exceptional ratings with A.M. Best and a strong financial standing, making them a dependable, local expert for Boston residents.
How to get a quote
By calling a The Andover agent
Why Chubb tops our best list
Boston is one of the most expensive cities in the US to live, making Chubb’s policies for high-value homes an advantage for the city. [1] Chubb’s Masterpiece Homeowners Coverage offers an array of extra services including temporary living arrangements if a covered loss has left your home unlivable and in-home risk consultations to make sure your house is fully protected.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Chubb
Why Arbella Insurance tops our best list
Arbella’s top-notch customer service makes them a great choice for Boston residents looking for personal attention. Their experts are available around the clock and claims can be filed online or through their mobile app. They also offer extra protection for home repairs such as air conditioning and heating as well as services to combat cyber attacks.
How to get a quote
By calling an Arbella agent
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by ZIP code in Boston
Looking at average home insurance costs for 15 of the most popular companies in Boston, we found that the cheapest homeowners insurance in the city can be found in the 02108 ZIP code (Beacon Hill) with Narragansett Bay. The average Narragansett Bay rate in this area is $966 per year, which is almost $600 less than the city average of $1,562 per year.
While Narragansett Bay offers the lowest rate in the city, it’s only available in the Beacon Hill neighborhood. The cheapest rates in the remaining 17 zipcodes are through Safety Insurance, UPC Insurance, and MAPFRE insurance.
ZIP code | Company | Average yearly cost |
---|---|---|
02108 | Narragansett Bay | $966 |
02109 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02110 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02111 | UPC Insurance | $1,070 |
02113 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02114 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02115 | UPC Insurance | $992 |
02116 | UPC Insurance | $1,031 |
02118 | MAPFRE Insurance | $1,244 |
02127 | MAPFRE Insurance | $1,244 |
02128 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02133 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02163 | UPC Insurance | $968 |
02199 | UPC Insurance | $1,022 |
02203 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
02210 | MAPFRE Insurance | $1,244 |
02215 | UPC Insurance | $1,007 |
02222 | Safety Insurance | $1,078 |
The most affordable areas for homeowners insurance in Boston
With an average home insurance rate of $1,452 per year, the 02163 ZIP code (Allston), is the most affordable area for home insurance in Boston. Much of Allston is populated with young, unmarried residents with smaller homes and condos than the state average, which contributes to its affordable insurance rates. [2]
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
02163 | $1,452 |
02133 | $1,453 |
02215 | $1,466 |
02199 | $1,478 |
02114 | $1,487 |
The most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Boston
With an average home insurance rate of $1,784, the 02210 ZIP code (West Broadway/South Boston) is the most expensive area for home insurance in Boston. Residents of this ZIP code tend to be affluent with home values that are above the local averages. Houses requiring more coverage will usually see higher insurance premiums.
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
02210 | $1,784 |
02127 | $1,783 |
02118 | $1,711 |
02116 | $1,596 |
02203 | $1,591 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Boston
Home values in Boston average nearly $720,000 and prices are continuing to rise. [3] Residents of this expensive city would be wise to ensure their home insurance policies adequately cover the cost of repairing or rebuilding their houses in case tragedy strikes. Having the cheapest insurance rates won’t do much good if your dwelling coverage doesn’t pay for the cost of repairs. When looking for the best homeowners insurance for you, it’s best to shop around and compare policy options from several companies.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Boston for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies in the state for individuals with a poor credit score, dog owners, and pool owners. Once you’re ready to shop, a Policygenius expert can help you navigate your coverage needs and help you find the best deal on homeowners insurance in Boston.
Boston home insurance costs by coverage amounts
As mentioned above, dwelling coverage is the part of your insurance policy that covers the actual structure of your home. If your home is damaged in a covered event, dwelling coverage pays for the necessary repairs, up to a certain amount laid out in your policy. The amount paid to repair or rebuild your home is determined by construction and labor costs in area.
As shown in the table below, higher dwelling coverage amounts will increase your annual premium. While $100,000 in dwelling coverage costs an average of $799 in Boston, houses that require up to $500,000 in coverage will see rates as high as $2,358 per year.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
$100,000 | $799 |
$200,000 | $1,216 |
$300,000 | $1,562 |
$400,000 | $1,947 |
$500,000 | $2,358 |
Liability coverage is the part of your home insurance policy that pays for medical or legal bills if you’re held liable for someone else’s injury or property damage. To make sure you are fully protected in case of a lawsuit, your liability coverage should be enough to cover the total value of your home, vehicles, and liquid assets.
In most cases, the more liability coverage you need on your policy, the higher your premium will be. In Boston, the average home insurance rate for a policy with $100,000 in liability coverage is $1,485, while the average cost of a policy with $500,000 in liability coverage is $1,665.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
$100,000 | $1,485 |
$200,000 | $1,529 |
$300,000 | $1,562 |
$400,000 | $1,362 |
$500,000 | $1,665 |
Boston home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your deductible is the set amount you have to pay on each claim before your insurance kicks in. Unlike medical deductibles, which are paid over the course of a year, home insurance deductibles are paid for every claim you make.
Usually, lower deductibles come with higher insurance rates, but, as seen in the table below, the average rate for a policy with a $500 deductible is actually $36 lower than the $2,000 option.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
$500 | $1,749 |
$1,000 | $1,562 |
$2,000 | $1,785 |
Home insurance discounts in Boston
Many insurance companies in Boston offer discounts if you take steps to protect your home from damages caused by theft or fire. The more security measures you have in place, the less likely you are to file a claim — something that saves insurers money.
With Boston’s high crime rate, having features like a deadbolt or security system will not only keep you safe, but they will also lower the cost of insurance.
While you won’t get a huge discount if your house has one of the following features and nothing else, they can add up if you have several protective devices in your home. Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes in Boston with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
Dead bolt | $1,562 |
Smoke alarm | $1,555 |
Burglar alarm | $1,500 |
Home insurance companies in Boston for dog owners
Insurance companies deem certain dog breeds as liability risks due to the heightened chance of bites and attacks. Some insurers will raise rates to offset the risk involved with owning a dangerous dog, while others won’t cover you at all if you own one of these breeds.
With an average rate of $1,129 per year, Safety Insurance has the cheapest home insurance rates in Boston for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Chubb’s average yearly premium of $2,000 is the highest.
Company | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
Safety Insurance | $1,129 |
MAPFRE Insurance | $1,227 |
Arbella Insurance | $1,351 |
The Andover | $1,600 |
Chubb | $2,000 |
Home insurance companies in Boston for pool owners
Swimming pools are often seen as a liability by insurance companies because of the risk of someone getting injured on your property. Because of this risk, companies will often charge higher rates to offset potential claims. Some insurers factor this in less than others, however, and you can still find competitive premiums even if you have a backyard pool.
With an average rate of $1,129 per year, Safety Insurance has the cheapest home insurance rates for Boston homes that have a swimming pool, while Chubb’s average yearly premium of $2,000 is the most expensive.
Company | Average yearly cost |
---|---|
Safety Insurance | $1,129 |
MAPFRE Insurance | $1,227 |
Arbella Insurance | $1,351 |
The Andover | $1,600 |
Chubb | $2,000 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in Boston
With so many options to consider, deciding on the right homeowners insurance for your needs can seem like an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below are some easy steps you can take to be on your way to a new policy in no time:
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. No one expects you to be an insurance expert, which is why our experts are on hand to discuss your coverage options. At no charge to you, a Policygenius agent can help you find the right coverage for the right price.
Consider purchasing special coverage options. If you live in a historical or high-value home, there are several insurers in Boston who offer coverage specific to your needs.
Ask about MPIUA insurance. MPIUA is the Massachusetts FAIR plan which covers customers who are unable to obtain traditional insurance. Ask your Policygenius agent about this option if it applies to you.
Figure out how much you can afford to pay for your deductible. Considering factors like hurricanes and Nor’easters, Boston residents should decide how much they can pay out of pocket in case of frequent claims from a bad storm season.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Since one company might charge more for a pool on your property while another is more concerned about your pit bull, it’s important to shop around. Your Policygenius agent can give you the best options to compare.
Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. Once you’ve picked the policy that’s right for you, your Policygenius agent will prepare the paperwork for your signature. They’ll let you know how to make your first payment and even cancel your current policy for you.