Best homeowners insurance in Washington for 2023

We looked at average costs, 3rd-party ratings, and policy options to find the best and cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Connecticut.

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Meredith NapolitanoFreelance contributorAs a content writer, Meredith has written most extensively about home renovation, vocational training, the automotive industry, real estate, family law, and data protection.&Pat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat 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.

Edited by

Jennifer GimbelJennifer GimbelSenior Managing Editor & Home Insurance ExpertJennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
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Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Michael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™Financial AdvisorMichael Reynolds, CSRIC®, AIF®, CFT-I™, is a financial advisor, principal and founder of Elevation Financial, host of the weekly personal finance podcast Wealth Redefined®, and a member of the Financial Review Council at Policygenius.

Updated|5 min read

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is $1,280 per year for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to a Policygenius analysis of 2022 premiums.

While home insurance rates in Washington are around 35% less than the national average, premiums are going up in the Evergreen State due to inflation and an influx of catastrophic wildfire damage in recent years. With insurance costs and natural disaster losses on the rise, it's more important than ever to compare homeowners insurance quotes from multiple companies to ensure you're getting the right amount home insurance coverage at the best possible price.

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Best home insurance companies in Washington

According to Policygenius' analysis of the best homeowners insurance companies in Washington state, we found Allstate offered the cheapest and best insurance coverage for most Evergreen State homeowners.

USAA had the highest rating in our analysis thanks to its combination of low rates, excellent customer service and financial strength ratings, and comprehensive policy options. However, keep in mind that USAA is only available to currently enlisted members of the military, veterans, and their families.

Company

Best for...

Average monthly cost

Policygenius rating

Allstate

Overall

$45

4.8 out of 5

State Farm

First-time homeowners

$227

4.5 out of 5

Farmers

Replacement cost coverage

$89

4.1 out of 5

PEMCO Insurance

High-risk homes

$65

N/A

USAA

Military veterans

$77

4.9 out of 5

Methodology & why you can trust our rates

At Policygenius, our educational guides are written and fact-checked by licensed home insurance experts and reviewed by our Financial Review Council to ensure autonomy, expertise, and accuracy.

To find the best home insurance companies in Washington, we analyzed over 30,000 quotes from the 15 largest insurance companies in the state to find the average cost of homeowners insurance with each company in 2022.

When analyzing costs for different coverage levels and risk factors, we changed just one variable at a time to ensure the rates we’re comparing are fair and representative of the factor at hand.

We then looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores, AM Best financial health ratings, quality of policy options, discounts, and compared that with the coverage needs of Washington residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Washington.

To get the average rate for each company in Washington, we analyzed rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for 616 ZIP codes in Washington 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 overall: Allstate

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

  • File and track claims online or through its mobile app

Cons

  • Lower-than-average claim satisfaction and digital experience ratings from J.D. Power

Why Allstate is the best overall company

Washington homeowners not only enjoy generous bundling discounts if they insure their home and their car through Allstate, they also have the option of several high quality policy add-ons to personalize their policy to their liking.  

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Allstate

Best for first-time homeowners: State Farm

State Farm

State Farm logo

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

Why State Farm is the best company for first-time homeowners

State Farm is one of the top companies in the industry when it comes to customer satisfaction ratings with J.D. Power, which takes into consideration policy offerings, price, customer interaction, claims, and the billing process.  

How to get a quote

Online through State Farm

Best for replacement cost coverage: Farmers

Farmers

Farmers logo

Farmers is one of the largest and most reputable home insurance providers in the industry, offering special discounts for teachers, nurses, first responders, and non-smokers — plus the option to rebuild your home with green materials after a claim.

Pros

  • Several discounts and unique ways to save, including claim forgiveness and declining deductibles

  • 3 flexible coverage packages with varying levels of protection for most coverage and budget needs

  • Offers extended and guaranteed replacement cost coverage options

  • File claims online, via text, on its mobile app, or by calling its claims center

Cons

  • Rates are typically more expensive

  • Below-average customer satisfaction ratings

  • No repair network to help you find a certified contractor or repair professional after filing a claim

Why Farmers is the best company for replacement cost coverage

Washington teachers, nurses, and first responders have the opportunity to save on homeowners insurance with Farmers. In addition to savings, Farmers gives Washington residents the option of rebuilding their home with green materials after a covered loss.

How to get a quote

Online through Policygenius or Farmers

Best for high-risk homes: PEMCO Insurance

PEMCO Insurance

PEMCO Insurance logo

PEMCO Insurance is ideal for homeowners in high-risk wildfire areas — its special partnership with Wildfire Defense Systems offers free private wildfire services during active brush fires to ensure your home is fully protected.

Pros

  • Offers replacement cost coverage for your belongings — meaning depreciation won't be taken into account for your claim payout

  • Base policies come with up to $5,000 of sewer backup coverage

  • Partnership with Wildfire Defense Systems offers free private wildfire services to maximize your home's protection during an active wildfire

  • Discounts for homeowners who work in education, go 3 years without filing a claim, have safety and sprinkler devices, and more

  • File and track claims online — with 24/7 customer support

Cons

  • Limited information about coverage options available online

  • Not as many discounts as other insurers

Why PEMCO Insurance is the best company for high-risk homes

While Washington isn’t traditionally a state that is considered a high risk for wildfires, 2021 showed that wildfires can still be a threat in the Pacific Northwest. So PEMCO’s recent partnership with Wildfire Defense Systems (WDS) should come as a relief to Washington homeowners. Under this new partnership, the WDS team provides free consultation and preventative maintenance to at-risk homes during an active wildfire — providing your home and belongings with an added layer of protection.

How to get a quote

By calling PEMCO Insurance

Best for military veterans: USAA

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

Why USAA is the best company for military veterans

USAA has excellent coverage options, great customer service ratings, and several available discounts for Washington residents who are affiliated with the military. If you are interested in more than just basic coverage options, USAA offers plenty of ways to personalize your policy to suit your coverage needs.

How to get a quote

Online through USAA

How much is homeowners insurance in Washington state?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is $1,216 per year, or roughly $101 a month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

Home insurance costs in Washington will vary depending on factors like your home's age, construction style, claims history, and where you live. Insurance companies in Washington are not allowed to consider credit score when determining insurance rates.

Home

UPDATE: Home insurance premiums up 18% in Washington

Home insurance premiums in Washington state have increased at more than double the rate of inflation (8.6%) from May 2021 to May 2022, according to our latest analysis of internal policyholder data. 

The state’s 18% increase in premiums is likely due to a mix of rising inflation, labor shortages, and severe wildfires that have plagued the state in recent years. On top of this, the Washington Insurance Commissioner temporarily banned insurance companies from factoring credit scores into rates, which in the short term, has likely led to most homeowners seeing higher rates.

You can find all of the details in our Policygenius Home Insurance Pricing Report.

Washington homeowners insurance rates by city

Based on our analysis of average premiums in Washington's 20 largest cities, we found that Bellingham has the most affordable home insurance costs, while Yakima's rates are far and away the most expensive.

City

Average monthly cost

Average annual cost

Difference from state average (%)

Auburn

$107

$1,288

6%

Bellevue

$99

$1,184

-3%

Bellingham

$97

$1,165

-4%

Everett

$107

$1,289

6%

Federal Way

$106

$1,271

5%

Kennewick

$115

$1,376

13%

Kent

$106

$1,268

4%

Kirkland

$100

$1,200

-1%

Marysville

$107

$1,280

5%

Pasco

$111

$1,337

10%

Redmond

$100

$1,198

-1%

Renton

$104

$1,251

3%

Sammamish

$99

$1,186

-3%

Seattle

$100

$1,195

-2%

South Hill

$109

$1,304

7%

Spokane

$103

$1,232

1%

Spokane Valley

$103

$1,232

1%

Tacoma

$111

$1,329

9%

Vancouver

$100

$1,203

-1%

Yakima

$121

$1,457

20%

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Washington homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount

The table below highlights the average annual premium in Connecticut for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.

Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.

Dwelling coverage level

Average annual cost

$100,000

$655

$200,000

$961

$300,000

$1,280

$400,000

$1,648

$500,000

$2,011

Washington homeowners insurance rates by deductible amount

A deductible is the amount that you will need to pay toward a loss when you file a claim. That means if you file a claim for $5,000 and you have a $1,000 deductible, you’ll have to pay $1,000 before your insurer reimburses you for the remaining $4,000. 

A lower deductible typically means higher premiums, so many homeowners looking to save money opt for a higher one. This is a good way to save, but there is a risk in doing this. You’ll want to make sure your deductible is set to an amount you can afford to pay out of pocket in the event of a loss. 

Deductible level

Average annual cost

$500

$1,400

$2,000

$1,310

$2,500

$1,018

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The cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Washington

Based on our analysis of home insurance quotes in every Washington ZIP code, we found that Allstate, Mutual of Enumclaw, and PEMCO have the cheapest average home insurance rates in Washington, with average premiums of $538, $677, and $781, respectively.

In addition to these insurers, five other companies have average home insurance rates below the Washington average of $1,216 per year, including Grange, USAA, and Farmers.

Company

Average annual cost

Allstate

$538

Mutual of Enumclaw

$677

PEMCO Insurance

$781

Grange Insurance

$786

California Casualty

$908

USAA

$923

Farmers

$1,072

Nationwide

$1,079

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,228

Chubb

$1,317

Pure Insurance

$1,497

Country Financial

$1,841

Oregon Mutual

$2,537

State Farm

$2,723

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Cheapest home insurance in Washington if you have an older home

Older homes can be costly to insure, as they're more prone to structural damage than a newer build, and they're often constructed with materials and features that are more expensive to replace.

With an average annual premium of $650, Allstate offers the cheapest home insurance rates for a home over 100 years old, while Oregon Mutual is the most expensive.

Company

Average annual cost

Difference from base rate (%)

Allstate

$650

71%

PEMCO Insurance

$681

127%

Mutual of Enumclaw

$726

80%

California Casualty

$855

65%

Chubb

$964

7%

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,026

61%

USAA

$1,049

78%

Grange Insurance

$1,142

42%

Nationwide

$1,174

142%

Farmers

$1,278

68%

State Farm

$1,412

60%

Pure Insurance

$1,455

10%

Country Financial

$1,943

66%

Oregon Mutual

$2,416

80%

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Cheapest home insurance in Washington if you have a history of claims

Claims history is one of the biggest factors insurers use to determine home insurance premiums. If you have multiple claims on your record, you'll typically pay more for home insurance, as insurers will consider you more likely to file future claims than a homeowner with a spotless claims history.

With an average annual premium of $1,093, Mutual of Enumclaw offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Washington for a homeowner that's filed three claims within a five-year period, while Oregon Mutual is the most expensive.

Company

Average annual cost

Difference from base rate (%)

Mutual of Enumclaw

$1,093

53%

PEMCO Insurance

$1,123

57%

Grange Insurance

$1,133

0%

Allstate

$1,295

121%

USAA

$1,431

3%

California Casualty

$1,454

72%

State Farm

$1,483

5%

Auto-Owners Insurance

$1,630

51%

Farmers

$1,651

30%

Nationwide

$2,083

95%

Pure Insurance

$2,104

45%

Chubb

$2,258

88%

Country Financial

$3,053

58%

Oregon Mutual

$5,109

122%

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Cheapest home insurance in Washington for bundling discounts

Most home insurance providers sell other types of insurance, too — such as auto, renters, and boat insurance — and often offer generous multi-policy discounts and perks if you use them for all of your insurance needs.

With an average premium of $443 per year, Allstate offers the cheapest home insurance rates on policy bundles.

Company

Average annual cost

Difference from base rate (%)

Allstate

$443

-24%

PEMCO Insurance

$537

-25%

Mutual of Enumclaw

$591

-17%

California Casualty

$679

-20%

Nationwide

$876

-18%

Auto-Owners Insurance

$978

-10%

Farmers

$985

-23%

State Farm

$993

-30%

Grange Insurance

$1,000

-12%

Chubb

$1,088

-9%

USAA

$1,221

-13%

Farmers

$1,228

-5%

Pure Insurance

$1,386

-5%

Country Financial

$1,465

-25%

Oregon Mutual

$2,039

-12%

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How to buy homeowners insurance in Washington

Finding the right homeowners insurance is more than just searching for the cheapest rates and choosing the first policy you find. You want to make sure the policy you select has the right coverage amounts and covers the specific needs of your home and area. 

Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in Washington. 

6 simple steps to buying home insurance in Washington

  1. Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of licensed insurance experts are waiting to help you figure out how much coverage you need and what company offers it at the best price. Our agents do this for free with no impact to your credit score.

  2. Ask about Washington’s FAIR Plan coverage. The Washington FAIR Plan Association provides basic fire coverage for those who have difficulty obtaining a policy, provided the property is occupied and reasonably maintained. Coverage for the structure may be obtained, but coverage for liability and theft are not available. If you have applied for and been rejected by several private market insurers, you can look into this coverage.

  3. Consider purchasing flood and earthquake insurance. Since most standard home insurance doesn’t cover flooding and earthquake damage is often excluded from policies, you may need to purchase separate flood insurance or earthquake insurance to ensure your house is fully protected. A Policygenius agent can help you do this, too.

  4. Figure out how low of a deductible you can afford. You’ll want to set this to an amount you can afford to pay in the event you need to file a claim.

  5. Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve nailed down your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will walk you through your quotes from multiple different companies to help you find the best policy for your coverage and budget needs.

  6. Sign the policy and pay your first premium. After you’ve chosen the policy you want, your Policygenius agent will complete all of the paperwork for you, including canceling your old policy, if you had one. The only thing left to do is sign and pay your first premium. 

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Frequently asked questions

What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is $107 per month or $1,280 per year.

Can I rebuild my home with green materials?

Several insurance companies in Washington offer the ability to rebuild using green materials for a more environmentally friendly home. If this is important to you, let your Policygenius agent know so those companies can be considered.

Do Washington insurers use credit scores to determine home insurance rates?

There is a rule on the table in Washington that would ban insurance companies from using your credit score to calculate your premiums, but that rule has not yet been put into effect. If the rule is put into effect, those with low credit will see a one time decrease in their premiums, while those enjoying the discounts and benefits of good credit will see a one time increase.

Do I have to have homeowners insurance in Washington?

It is not legally required to purchase homeowners insurance in Washington. However, most mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before you can secure your mortgage.

Authors

As a content writer, Meredith has written most extensively about home renovation, vocational training, the automotive industry, real estate, family law, and data protection.

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.

Editor

Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor and home insurance expert at Policygenius, where she oversees our homeowners insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.

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