Best homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C. for 2022

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C. is relatively low, at $1,154 per year or $96 a month. In neighboring states Maryland and Virginia, average home insurance rates are $144 and $126 per month, respectively, so those in the D.C. area appear to enjoy significantly lower premiums.

But 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 Washington, D.C.  

Best homeowners insurance companies in Washington, D.C.

Of the companies we evaluated, Chubb has the lowest rate, with an average annual policy cost of $890 per year — about $250 less than the state average. USAA slides into second place with rates of $990 per year, making it another great option.

Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes from the 5 largest Washington, D.C. 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 Washington, D.C. residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.

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

Read our full State Farm home insurance review

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Why State Farm tops our best list

State Farm scored so well in customer service and financial ratings in the J.D. Power 2021 home insurance study, that it is considered one of the best insurance companies in the country. Policyholders can enjoy best-in-class coverage with State Farm — up to $1 million personal liability coverage to help protect their assets — while also taking advantage of huge savings via home and auto insurance bundling discounts.

How to get a quote

Online through State Farm

Chubb

Chubb is a top-tier insurer ideal for high-value homes that need more robust coverage that goes beyond the run-of-the-mill options offered by traditional insurance companies.

Pros

• Base policies include extended replacement cost coverage for your home and replacement cost coverage for your personal property — two perks that cost extra with most other companies

• Helps you find temporary living arrangements if your home can't be lived in after a covered loss

• No deductible on losses greater than $50,000

• Cash-out claim settlement option means you can still get paid even if you decide not to repair your home after a covered loss

Cons

• Rates are among highest in the industry

• Will only insure high-value homes

Read our full Chubb homeowners insurance review here

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Why Chubb tops our list

Of the companies we analyzed, Chubb has the cheapest rates in D.C. Along with relatively low rates, Chubb home insurance also includes several perks, including no deductible payments if for claims greater than $50,000 and cash-out options if you’d rather pocket the claim reimbursement and spend it at your own leisure. 

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or by calling Chubb

USAA

USAA's robust coverages and high marks for customer service and claims satisfaction make it a solid home insurance option for military members and their families.

Pros

• Score discounts for zero claims, being a loyal USAA member, opting into e-billing, and more

• Base policy includes coverages that cost extra with most other companies

• Offers earthquake coverage — which is hard to come by

• Get discounted home security systems and a discount on premiums through its partnership with ADT

• Industry-best customer service and claims satisfaction ratings

Cons

• Only available to military families

• Doesn’t offer extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage

Read our full USAA home insurance review here

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Why USAA tops our best list

It’s no surprise that USAA has some of the highest customer and claims satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power. A basic USAA home insurance policy includes coverages not included in other companies base policies, and it gives customers several chances to save, including discounts for not filing a claim for a certain number of years and opting for paperless billing.

How to get a quote

Online through USAA

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

Cons

• Rates are typically high compared to competitors

Read our full Allstate home insurance review

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Why Allstate tops our best list

Allstate is one of the most popular destinations for homeowners looking for insurance. With a combination of great customer service and affordable coverage options like mold coverage and water backup, Allstate customers know they are getting great coverage that fits within their budget. In addition, Allstate customers can easily file and track claims online, or in the mobile app.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius and 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

Read our full Nationwide home insurance review here

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Why Nationwide tops our best list

Nationwide combines above average customer satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power with an industry-best list of coverage add-ons, including flood insurance. It also offers numerous discount options, including discounts for living in a gated community and having a newer roof.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Nationwide

Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Washington, D.C.

Looking at average home insurance costs for 15 of the most popular companies in Washington, D.C., we found that the cheapest home insurance in the city can be found with Chubb. The average Chubb rate in the city is around $890 per year — around $260 less than the city average of $1,154 per year. 

Shopping for homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.

Washington, D.C. residents shopping for insurance should ensure they have adequate homeowners insurance to protect their homes and lifestyles if disaster strikes. 

In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Washington, D.C. for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for dog and pool owners.

Washington, D.C. home insurance costs by coverage amounts

When shopping for homeowners insurance in D.C., you’ll want to make sure the coverage amounts quoted to you accurately reflect your coverage needs.Dwelling coverage is that portion of your insurance policy that pays to rebuild your home from the ground up after a covered loss. 

Washington, D.C. homes with a dwelling coverage limit of $500,000 pay an average of $145 per month for home insurance, while a policy with a $300,000 limit is $95 monthly — a difference of only $50.

Personal liability coverage is that part of your home insurance policy that pays the medical or legal bills if someone is injured on your property and you’re found legally responsible. 

As the table below reflects, a $400,000 personal liability policy is around $1,348 per year in Washington. While adding more liability coverage to your individual policy will likely make your rates go up, the increase is often minimal.

Washington, D.C. home insurance costs by deductible amount

A higher deductible amount means lower monthly insurance payments, but it also means you’ll pay more out of your pocket on a claim after a covered loss.

As referenced in the table below, Washington, D.C. residents can save around $100 on home insurance by choosing a $2,000 deductible over the $500 option.

Home insurance discounts in Washington, D.C.

While you won’t get a huge discount if your home is protected with smoke alarms and security systems, the extra peace of mind knowing your home is safe is well worth the installation costs. 

Here is the average annual rate and average discount percentage for homes in Washington, D.C. with deadbolt locks, smoke alarms, or installed security systems.

Home insurance companies in Washington, D.C. for dog owners

Adding a dog to your family dynamic is an important decision. So is the type of dog you choose to add to the mix. 

If your dog is considered a dangerous breed, you might be paying more for your home insurance. Some insurance companies charge higher rates for certain breeds and can even deny coverage.

With an average rate of $890 per year, Chubb has the cheapest home insurance rates in Washington, D.C. for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while Nationwide’s average yearly premium is almost $1,345 — nearly $500 more than the Chubb rate.

Home insurance companies in Washington, D.C. for poor credit

Poor credit can lead to more than just being denied credit; it can also lead to higher insurance rates. A poor credit score is often an indicator to insurance companies that you’re a risk and you may file insurance claims more than someone with a better score. 

With an average rate of $1,190 per year, Chubb has the cheapest home insurance rates in Washington, D.C. for a homeowner with poor credit, while the State Farm average yearly premium of $2,210 is the highest. 

Home insurance companies in Washington, D.C. for pool owners

Owning a swimming pool can increase the amount you pay for home insurance with some insurers. Some insurance companies consider swimming pools a liability risk and will often charge higher homeowners insurance rates as a result.

With an average rate of $899 per year, Chubb has the cheapest home insurance rates for Washington, D.C. homes that have a swimming pool, while Nationwide has the highest rates at $1,345 per year.

How to buy homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.

With so many choices to choose from, how can you tell which insurance companies have your best interests in mind? We’ve assembled a list of five simple steps to make the process as easy as possible. Check out the list below and find out how easy it is to find affordable coverage that fits your insurance needs.

1. Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of insurance specialists can help you get quotes from top companies — at no cost and without an impact on your credit. We can explain everything to you and why home insurance can help you out during rough times. 

2. Consider purchasing flood insurance. Coastal storms can lead to flooding and wind damage. Although rare, hurricanes have affected the D.C. area, so residents who live in floodplains may want to consider additional flood insurance

3. Figure out if you need a lower deductible.A lower deductible means you’ll pay more for your home insurance, but less out of pocket for a covered claim. A Policygenius agent can help you choose a deductible that works the best for your budget.

4. Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent.Once you’ve chosen which policy options work best for you, a Policygenius agent will send over quotes from top insurance companies for your review.

5. Sign the policy and pay your first bill.Policygenius will do all of the paperwork for you, and even cancel your old policy if it isn’t expired yet. All you have to do is sign on the dotted line and pay your first premium. 

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.