Hurricanes often find their way to the North Carolina coast, but Durham avoids the brunt of those storms by being inland by about 130 miles. Though its inland location helps soften the impact of hurricanes, the chance for high winds, heavy rain, and flooding from these storms make it important to have homeowners insurance that fully protects your home.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Durham is $1,749 per year or $146 a month. This is around 13% higher than the statewide average of $1,545 per year, and on par with the national average of $1,754 per year.
Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in Durham
Of the companies we evaluated, State Farm has the lowest rate, with an average annual policy cost of only $892 per year — that’s 49% less than the Durham average. Average home insurance rates for Kemper, Bankers Insurance Group, and Allstate also came in below the city average.
To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in Durham, Policygenius rated over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in North Carolina across several categories, such as average policy cost, financial strength ratings with AM Best, customer and claims satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, available policy options, and more.
Company | Average monthly cost | Policygenius rating | |
|---|---|---|---|
$199 | 5.0 out of 5 | ||
$74 | 4.8 out of 5 | ||
$214 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$225 | 4.5 out of 5 | ||
$83 | 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 among the best homeowners insurance providers in Durham thanks to its extensive policy and coverage options, its high marks for financial strength, and its customer experience ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers a slew of extra coverage add-ons
Lots of discounts available
Flood insurance through the NFIP
Cons
Rates are higher than average
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 Durham. Auto-Owners 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 coverage, 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, although Auto-Owners' rates are more expensive than average in Durham, the company offers a range of discounts that can help lower your insurance rates.
How do Auto-Owners Insurance rates compare to the Durham average?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Durham is $2,382 per year, according to sample quotes provided to us by Quadrant Information Services. This makes Auto-Owners Insurance about 36% more expensive than the citywide average.
How to get a quote
Online or by calling an Auto-Owners Insurance agent.
2023 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
4.8
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
All 50 states
Why we chose it
State Farm home insurance is one of the best overall home insurance providers in Durham thanks to low rates, a large selection of policy options for most home types, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Rates are cheaper than average
Excellent line-up of policy add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
Save up to $1,127 per year when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Cons
20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size
More details
Why we chose State Farm
At a time when lots of competitors are no longer insuring homes in areas prone to wildfires or hurricanes, State Farm continues to offer its relatively affordable and highly-rated home insurance to homeowners in most parts of the country, including Durham.
While some of its competitors may not have the financial strength to pay out claims after several natural disasters in the same year, State Farm isn't one of them. It earns the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability — only six insurance companies out of nearly 70 we reviewed hold this title.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Durham average?
The average cost of State Farm home insurance in Durham is $892 per year, which is 49% cheaper than the citywide average of $1,749.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
2023 Policygenius award winner
Erie
4.5
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
Erie's wide range of coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and private flood insurance add-on makes it one of the best companies in Durham.
Pros and cons
Pros
Guaranteed replacement cost comes standard on Erie policies
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
Just three available discounts
Can’t get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why we chose Erie
Erie is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Durham for residents who want to add more flood protection to a basic policy. Its Extended Water endorsement is effectively a flood insurance policy and sewer and drain backup coverage rolled into one.
Home insurance policies from Erie also come standard with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies. On top of this, a basic policy covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses.
Erie also offers a range of add-ons that you can purchase, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, underground service line coverage, and more.
How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in Durham?
The average cost of Erie home insurance in Durham is $2,572 per year, which is 47% higher than the citywide average of $1,749 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through Erie
2023 Policygenius award winner
Nationwide
4.5
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers extended replacement cost
Why we chose it
Nationwide is one of the best homeowners insurance companies in Durham for people who want complete coverage. You can strengthen a basic Nationwide policy with the company's range of coverage add-ons.
Pros and cons
Pros
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Highly rated for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power
Cons
Rates are higher than average
Below-average customer satisfaction and digital experience ratings
Won’t cover Airbnbs or other short-term rentals
More details
Why we chose Nationwide
Nationwide is the best homeowners insurance company for those who can take advantage of its large selection of coverage options. These include guaranteed and extended replacement cost coverage, better roof replacement, new belongings coverage, water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage.
Nationwide has also received high ratings from J.D. Power for claims satisfaction, and it ranks fifth on J.D. Power's Property Claims Satisfaction Study from 2022. The company also receives far fewer complaints than other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Although we found that Nationwide's rates are more expensive than average in Durham, you might be able to lower your premiums with the company's discounts. These include discounts for bundling, renovating your home, buying a new home, and others.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the Durham average?
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in Durham is $2,699 per year, which is 54% more expensive than the city average of $1,749.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
2023 Policygenius award winner
Allstate
4.5
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Allstate is one of the top home insurance companies in Delaware. While its rates are higher than average in the state, Allstate also offers a few add-ons that can make a basic policy stronger.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers HostAdvantage for short-term rental coverage
Offers water backup protection, other endorsements
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Allstate is a top home insurance company in Delaware. We like that Allstate offers some home insurance coverages that you can add to your policy for more protection, like water backup protection, scheduled personal property coverage, and identity theft restoration coverage.
If you're looking to cover your short-term rental, Allstate's HostAdvantage is another perk. HostAdvantage comes with theft protection, coverage for your damaged property ($10,000 per host period), and a $25 discount on cleaning services from Merry Maids.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Durham average?
The annual average cost of Allstate home insurance in Durham is $991 per year, which is 43% cheaper than the citywide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
How much is homeowners insurance in Durham?
The average cost of home insurance in Durham is $1,749 per year, or $146 a month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is around 13% higher than the average annual cost of $1,545 for homeowners insurance in North Carolina, and on par higher than the national average.
Durham home insurance rates by ZIP code
Home insurance rates can vary substantially depending on which ZIP code your home is located in, as homes in certain Durham neighborhoods may be more prone to extreme weather damage or property crime than others.
To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated average home insurance rates by ZIP code in Durham.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
27703 | $1,726 | 12% |
27713 | $1,726 | 12% |
27707 | $1,724 | 12% |
27705 | $1,725 | 12% |
27704 | $1,726 | 12% |
27701 | $1,725 | 12% |
27712 | $1,726 | 12% |
27708 | $1,841 | 19% |
27709 | $1,726 | 12% |
27706 | $1,841 | 19% |
Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in Durham
With an average home insurance rate of $1,724 per year, the 27707 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Durham.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
27707 | $1,724 | 12% |
27701 | $1,725 | 12% |
27705 | $1,725 | 12% |
27703 | $1,726 | 12% |
27704 | $1,726 | 12% |
Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Durham
With an average annual premium of $1,841, the 27706 ZIP code is the most expensive ZIP code in Durham for home insurance. If you live one of these ZIP codes, your rates might be among the highest in the city.
ZIP code | Average annual cost | Difference from state average (%) |
|---|---|---|
27706 | $1,841 | 19% |
27708 | $1,841 | 19% |
27703 | $1,726 | 12% |
27704 | $1,726 | 12% |
27709 | $1,726 | 12% |
Learn more >> Home insurance rates by ZIP code
Durham home insurance costs by coverage amount
Along with your home's location, your homeowners insurance premiums are primarily based on how much dwelling coverage is in your policy. This is the centerpiece of your home insurance coverage, covering the cost to repair or rebuild your home after a covered disaster.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance based on coverage amount.
Dwelling coverage limit | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $687 |
$200,000 | $1,157 |
$300,000 | $1,749 |
$400,000 | $2,204 |
$500,000 | $2,646 |
Durham home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your home insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before insurance kicks in to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property. A higher deductible means lower insurance premiums, but it also means you're responsible for paying more out of pocket when you file a claim.
Here are the average rates for homeowners coverage by deductible amount.
Deductible | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $760 |
$2,000 | $470 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Durham
Based on our analysis, Kemper, State Farm, and Bankers Insurance Group are the three cheapest home insurance companies in Durham, with average premiums citywide ranging from $508 to $932 per year.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
$508 | |
$892 | |
Bankers Insurance Group | $932 |
$991 | |
Lititz Mutual Insurance | $1,299 |
$1,299 | |
Universal Group | $1,301 |
Lighthouse Property Insurance | $1,463 |
$1,920 | |
$2,015 | |
$2,251 | |
$2,382 | |
$2,572 | |
$2,699 | |
$3,705 |
Cheapest home insurance in Durham if you have poor credit
A bad credit score does more than just cost you a few dollars in late payment fees — it can also make your auto and home insurance rates thousands of dollars higher.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance for Durham residents with poor credit.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Kemper | $724 |
Allstate | $991 |
Bankers Insurance Group | $1,268 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $1,299 |
Lititz Mutual Insurance | $1,299 |
Lighthouse Property Insurance | $1,463 |
State Farm | $1,530 |
Universal Group | $1,615 |
Narragansett Bay | $2,035 |
Foremost | $2,491 |
Nationwide | $3,076 |
USAA | $3,772 |
Erie | $5,540 |
UPC Insurance | $5,663 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $8,185 |
Cheapest home insurance in Durham if you have an older home
Insurance carriers consider older homes to have a higher risk of damage or loss compared to newer homes since they're constructed with older and more difficult to replace materials. Additionally, certain structural components in older homes, like the roof or plumbing systems, may not be up to code.
Here are the average homeowners insurance rates for Durham residents with older homes.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Kemper | $508 |
State Farm | $892 |
Bankers Insurance Group | $932 |
Allstate | $991 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $1,299 |
Lititz Mutual Insurance | $1,299 |
Lighthouse Property Insurance | $1,463 |
Universal Group | $1,679 |
Foremost | $2,204 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $2,221 |
USAA | $2,251 |
Nationwide | $2,699 |
Erie | $2,718 |
Narragansett Bay | $2,836 |
UPC Insurance | $3,823 |
Cheapest homeowners insurance in Durham if you have a history of claims
Claims history is one of the biggest factors that insurance companies use when calculating your home insurance premiums. If you have multiple claims on your record, your insurer will likely view you as a risk for filing future claims and may charge you higher rates as a result.
Here's the cheapest home insurance companies in Durham for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period on their record.
Company | Average annual cost |
|---|---|
Kemper | $851 |
State Farm | $892 |
Allstate | $991 |
Farm Bureau Insurance | $1,299 |
Lititz Mutual Insurance | $1,299 |
Bankers Insurance Group | $1,351 |
Lighthouse Property Insurance | $2,212 |
Auto-Owners Insurance | $2,382 |
Erie | $2,718 |
Narragansett Bay | $3,219 |
USAA | $3,408 |
Universal Group | $4,103 |
Nationwide | $4,360 |
UPC Insurance | $6,015 |
Foremost | $6,344 |
How to get homeowners insurance quotes in Durham
Here are the steps to take as you shop for homeowners insurance in Durham.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance expensive in North Carolina?
The nationwide average for homeowners insurance is $1,754 while the state average is $1,678. That makes it a bit more affordable than average, but exactly where you live and the type of insurance you purchase has a big impact on your rates.
Is homeowners insurance required in North Carolina?
No, North Carolina doesn’t require homeowners insurance. However, most lenders require that your home be insured to minimums as a part of your loan terms.
How can I lower my insurance in Durham?
You can lower your insurance multiple ways, including by installing home protective devices. Bundling multiple policies is another great way to save on homeowners insurance.
