Laura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.
Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.
Expert reviewed
Expert reviewed
This article has been reviewed by a licensed Policygenius expert to ensure that sources, statistics, and claims meet our standard for accurate and unbiased advice.
Pat Howard is a managing editor and licensed home insurance expert at Policygenius, where he specializes in homeowners insurance. His work and expertise has been featured in MarketWatch, Real Simple, Fox Business, VentureBeat, This Old House, Investopedia, Fatherly, Lifehacker, Better Homes & Garden, Property Casualty 360, and elsewhere.
Homeowners in Cincinnati need to be prepared for severe weather, including tornadoes and flooding. Both of these natural disasters can wreak havoc on a home and leave homeowners to pick up the pieces. That's why it's so important to protect your home with a good homeowners insurance policy.
Even with these potential threats, homeowners in Cincinnati pay about 20% less than the national average cost of home insurance in the U.S. — just $1,534 per year or about $128 a month. And there are plenty of ways for Cincinnati residents to save on that already cheap coverage.
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 Cincinnati.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Cincinnati
Of the companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest home insurance rates in Cincinnati, with an average annual policy cost of $881 — almost $700 less than the average yearly cost for all of Ohio. Not far behind Allstate is Erie, whose customers pay about $984 a year for home insurance.
In addition to cost, you’ll also want to look into companies’ customer and claim satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power. This can help potential customers make a more informed choice about their home insurance provider.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Cincinnati.
Company
Average yearly cost
J.D. Power Rating
State Farm
$1,232
835
Allstate
$881
829
Nationwide
$1,419
812
Grange Insurance
$1,426
--
Erie
$984
--
State Farm
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
State Farm is one of the most recognizable names in the insurance industry and their reputation is strong. State Farm consistently produces some of the highest customer satisfaction ratings in the industry due to their affordable rates, flexible coverage options, and user-friendly policy management via its excellent website and mobile app.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm
Allstate
Allstate's mix of exceptional customer satisfaction ratings, personalized coverage options, and numerous discount opportunities make it one of the most popular homeowners insurance companies on the market.
Pros
Several coverage add-ons, including ones for roof surfaces, water backup, green improvements, and mold protection
8+ discounts, including autopay, bundling, zero claims, and new homebuyer
Get up to 25% off your premiums when you bundle home and auto insurance
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
File and track claims online or through its mobile app
In addition to having some of the lowest home insurance rates in Cincinnati, Allstate’s heralded customer service, unique coverage add-ons, and discount opportunities are unmatched. Cincinnati homeowners can save up to 25% by bundling their different coverages with Allstate.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate
Nationwide
Nationwide offers flexible home insurance policy options for every home type and income level. And we love its slew of discounts for everything from having a newish roof to living in a gated community.
Pros
Offers lots of coverage add-ons, including flood and earthquake insurance
Option to rebuild roof with stronger, safer materials after a covered loss
Score discounts for living in a gated community, making home renovations, having a newer roof, and more
Seamlessly submit claims online or through its mobile app
Above-average claims satisfaction rating
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction ratings
Water backup coverage is more expensive than with other insurers
We love flexibility and Nationwide offers great flexible homeowners insurance policy options. Cincinnati homeowners residing in high-risk floodplains can take advantage of Nationwide’s flood insurance option, which can be purchased alongside your homeowners insurance.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Nationwide
Grange Insurance
Grange is a regional home insurance provider with rare discount opps and an extensive range of policy options — including protection for your loved one's personal belongings if they're in a nursing home or care center.
Pros
Excellent policy add-ons, including equipment breakdown, water backup, and replacement cost coverage for your home and belongings
Option to protect your loved one's personal belongings while they're in an assisted living facility
Rare discounts, including ones for DIY home inspections and proof of home maintenance
File claims online
Cons
Likely only worth the high cost if you bundle your home and auto policies
Grange is a regional insurance provider that provides several additional coverage options, including water backup and equipment breakdown coverage to protect your home and personal belongings.
How to get a quote
Online through Grange
Erie
With some of the best customer service ratings in the industry, Erie offers comprehensive coverage even with its most basic policy — including guaranteed replacement cost coverage and protection for lost items.
Pros
Score up to a 25% discount when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Guaranteed replacement cost coverage is included in the base policy
Theft coverage includes lost or misplaced items — a rare perk we don't see often
Multiple policy add-ons available, including water backup and service line coverage
Among the best customer service ratings in the industry
Cons
Can't file claims online — must speak to an Erie agent on the phone
Erie is another great home insurance option for Cincinnati residents. Erie's biggest claim to fame is the inclusion of guaranteed replacement cost coverage in its base home insurance policy. Even better, Erie offers theft coverage that includes misplaced or lost items — something you don’t see everyday.
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by ZIP code in Cincinnati
Looking at average home insurance costs for 15 of the most popular companies in Cincinnati, we found that the cheapest home insurance in the city can be found in the 45221 ZIP code (Clifton Heights) with State Farm. The average State Farm rate in this area is $250 per year — around $1,200 than the city average of $1,534 per year.
Most areas of Cincinnati are likely to find the cheapest rates with State Farm or Allstate. These two insurers had the cheapest insurance premium in 25 of Cincinnati's ZIP codes.
ZIP code
Company
Average yearly cost
45202
Allstate
$868
45203
Allstate
$868
45204
Allstate
$868
45205
Allstate
$868
45206
Allstate
$868
45207
Allstate
$868
45208
Erie
$844
45209
Allstate
$868
45211
Erie
$879
45213
Allstate
$899
45214
Allstate
$868
45216
Allstate
$899
45219
Allstate
$868
45220
Erie
$889
45221
State Farm
$250
45223
Allstate
$899
45224
Erie
$987
45225
Allstate
$868
45226
Allstate
$868
45227
Allstate
$868
45229
Allstate
$868
45230
Erie
$841
45232
Allstate
$899
45233
Allstate
$868
45234
State Farm
$250
45235
State Farm
$250
45237
Allstate
$899
45238
Allstate
$868
45245
Allstate
$812
45267
State Farm
$250
The most affordable areas for homeowners insurance in Cincinnati
With an average home insurance rate of $1,419 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling, the 45209 ZIP code (Oakley) is the most affordable area for home insurance in Cincinnati. This might be due to the lower population density of the area.
ZIP code
Average yearly cost
45209
$1,419
45208
$1,434
45227
$1,436
45230
$1,445
45238
$1,451
The most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Cincinnati
With an average home insurance rate of $1,794 the 45234 ZIP code (West End) is the most expensive area for home insurance in Cincinnati.
ZIP code
Average yearly cost
45234
$1,794
45267
$1,782
45235
$1,775
45221
$1,772
45204
$1,563
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Cincinnati
When shopping for home insurance, it helps to have an understanding of what each coverage does, how much of each you need, and how certain characteristics of your house or lifestyle may impact your rates.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Cincinnati 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 Cincinnati.
Cincinnati home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the part of your home insurance that pays for physical damage to the structure of your home in the event of a covered loss. Your dwelling coverage limit should be based on the replacement cost of your home, or the amount it would take to rebuild your house from the ground up — not its market value or purchase price.
As seen in the table below, more dwelling coverage usually means higher home insurance rates. Cincinnati residents can expect to see the biggest rate jump between the $400,000 and $500,000 ranges. The difference between these coverage limits is nearly $400.
Dwelling coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$838
$200,000
$1,174
$300,000
$1,534
$400,000
$1,893
$500,000
$2,289
Home insurance policies also include liability coverage, which covers your medical or legal expenses if you’re responsible for someone else’s injury or property damage. The amount of liability coverage you choose should be based on the total value of your assets, including your home, vehicles, and even liquid assets.
A higher liability coverage amount doesn't always mean higher premiums. As seen in the table below, opting for a high liability coverage amount can have little impact on your overall rate, so it might be a good bang for your buck.
Liability coverage amount
Average yearly cost
$100,000
$1,541
$200,000
$1,227
$300,000
$1,534
$400,000
$1,392
$500,000
$1,565
Cincinnati home insurance costs by deductible amount
Home insurance is a great safety net, but all homeowners are responsible for an out-of-pocket deductible on each claim accepted by the insurance provider. A higher deductible can save you money on your yearly premium, but be careful not to set it at an amount you can’t afford in the event of a claim.
As seen in the table below, Cincinnati residents can save around $200 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.
Deductible amount
Average yearly cost
$500
$1,691
$1,000
$1,534
$2,000
$1,505
Home insurance discounts in Cincinnati
A great way to save money on your insurance premiums is to take advantage of a few available discounts. Some insurance companies encourage homeowners to add safety features to help protect their home and family, like deadbolts, a few additional smoke alarms, or a burglar alarm.
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 Cincinnati with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount
Average yearly cost
Dead bolt
$1,534
Smoke alarm
$1,527
Burglar alarm
$1,515
Home insurance companies in Cincinnati for dog owners
If you have a dog breed your insurance company considers aggressive or dangerous, it may charge you higher rates to account for the high injury and liability risk.
With an average rate of $881 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Cincinnati for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Grange’s average yearly premium of $1,426 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$881
Erie
$984
State Farm
$1,232
Nationwide
$1,419
Grange Insurance
$1,426
Home insurance companies in Cincinnati for poor credit
If you have a low credit score, your insurance company will likely consider you to be “high risk” since you may not be financially capable of covering small damages or losses out of pocket, and it’ll likely charge you higher home insurance rates as a result.
The good news is some companies put less emphasis on credit scores when determining rates, so if you have poor credit, you can still find plenty of affordable coverage options.
With an average rate of $1,377 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Cincinnati for a homeowner with poor credit, while Erie’s average yearly premium of $2,260 is the highest.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$1,377
Nationwide
$1,864
Grange Insurance
$2,064
State Farm
$2,089
Erie
$2,260
Home insurance companies in Cincinnati for pool owners
If you have a pool in your backyard, you may also be charged higher rates given the risk of pool-related injuries and liability claims.
With an average rate of $881 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates for Cincinnati homes that have a swimming pool, while Grange’s average yearly premium of $1,478 is the most expensive.
Company
Average yearly cost
Allstate
$881
Erie
$1,119
State Farm
$1,232
Nationwide
$1,419
Grange Insurance
$1,478
How to buy homeowners insurance in Cincinnati
It’s important for Cincinnati residents to compare home insurance policies from multiple companies to ensure a proper coverage and rate comparison.
Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in Cincinnati.
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Finding the right homeowners insurance can be overwhelming. Our team of licensed home insurance experts are ready to help you find the right coverage at a price that is affordable.
Ask about Cincinnati's FAIR Plan provider. If you’re having trouble finding home insurance through a traditional provider, consider asking your Policygenius agent about a policy through the Ohio FAIR Plan.
Consider purchasing flood insurance. Flood damage isn't covered by standard home insurance policies, so if you live in a floodplain, ask your Policygenius agent about purchasing a separate flood insurance policy to make sure your home is fully protected.
Figure out your deductible amount. You'll want to figure out how much you'll be able to afford to pay out of pocket every time you file a claim.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you have your coverage needs figured out and you input a few details about your house, we’ll send you quotes from multiple companies. A Policygenius agent can walk you through your options to help you find the right coverage at the best price.
Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. After you’ve chosen the policy you want, your Policygenius agent will complete all of the paperwork for you. The only thing left for you to do is sign and pay your first premium.
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Cincinnati?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Cincinnati is $128 per month, or $1,534 per year.
How much is flood insurance in Cincinnati?
Flood damage isn't covered by most standard homeowners insurance policies, but Cincinnati residents don't want to be left out to dry when things get wet. That’s where flood insurance comes in. On average, flood insurance costs around $738 per year.
What's the most important part of home insurance?
People might think the most important part of home insurance is the type of coverage in your policy, but what’s really key is getting your coverage amounts correct. If your coverage limits are too low, you could be in hot water if your home is damaged or destroyed. If your coverage limits are higher than your home’s insured value, you’ll find yourself overpaying for coverage you don’t need.
Methodology
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.
Laura Gunn is an insurance expert and writer. As a former English teacher, she made the transition to full-time writing and editing in 2016. Since that time she has written extensively about insurance topics, as well as topics pertaining to education and marketing.
Her work has been published in The Millennial Source, News Hunt 360, Realty Today, HNGN, and other publications.
