Best homeowners insurance in Washington for 2022

Washington is a beautiful gem of the Pacific northwest and an outdoor lover's dream, but its long rainy season means properties have an outsized risk of mold and mildew damage. Despite this potentially expensive problem, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is just $1,280 per year or $107 a month. This is nearly 35% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.

But there are other factors beyond price you should consider when choosing an insurer. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Washington.  

Best homeowners insurance companies in Washington

Of the companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest rate, with an average annual policy cost of $586 — about half the Washington state average. Farmers, USAA, and PEMCO home insurance are also less pricey than the statewide average.

While policy cost is important, you’ll also want to look at customer and claims satisfaction ratings with entities like J.D. Power to see if the company can deliver when it comes time to use your coverage. If your insurance company lets you down when you need it, price no longer matters as much.

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

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 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

Farmers

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

Read our full Farmers home insurance review here

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Why Farmers tops our best list

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 Farmers

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

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

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

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

PEMCO Insurance

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

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Why PEMCO Insurance tops our best list

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

Cheapest homeowners insurance companies by city in Washington

Looking at average home insurance costs for the 15 most popular insurers in Washington, we found that the cheapest home insurance company in the state is Allstate. Rates in cities such as Tacoma, Seattle, and Spokane all have rates lower than the state’s average with Allstate. 

Home insurance costs in Washington will vary depending on where you live. Homes in highly populated cities, homes close to the Pacific coast, and older or more expensive homes will all generally see higher rates than homes in inland rural areas or newer properties. 

Shopping for homeowners insurance in Washington

When shopping for homeowners insurance, make sure the coverage amounts in your quotes reflect your actual coverage needs. This will allow for a more accurate coverage and rate comparison. A Policygenius expert can help guide you through the process of comparing quotes.

In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Washington 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 Washington

Washington home insurance costs by coverage amounts

Your dwelling coverage is the section of your homeowners policy that protects your home from covered losses, such as fire or storm damage. Your dwelling coverage limit should be equal to the replacement cost of your home, which is determined by square footage and construction costs — not the home’s sale price or market value. 

As the table below indicates, more dwelling coverage means higher home insurance premiums. In Washington, home insurance rates increase approximately $300 for every $100,000 in dwelling coverage. 

Liability coverage is the section of your policy that covers legal, medical, and repair bills if someone is injured or their property is damaged and you are considered legally responsible. This covers instances such as pool or trampoline-related injuries, dog bites, or if a visitor falls down your stairs. 

If the victim decides to sue for damages, you will need enough coverage to cover the value of all of your assets. When determining how much liability coverage you need, consider not only the value of your home, but of your cars, potential future earnings, and anything else that holds value. 

As seen in the table below, more liability coverage doesn’t always mean higher average home insurance rates. Opting for high liability coverage limits is a great value add for any policy.

Washington home insurance costs by deductible amount

Your 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 the deductible is set to an amount you can afford to pay out of pocket in the event of a loss. 

As seen in the table below, there is not a substantial difference in how different deductible amounts impact the yearly premiums for Washington residents.

Home insurance discounts in Washington

If you protect your home with safety features, you will see a small discount in your insurance premiums. Insurance companies incentivize homeowners to be proactive about protecting their home, including installing deadbolts, smoke alarms, and security systems. 

While you won’t get a substantial discount if your house has only one of the following features and nothing else, the discounts can add up if you have several protective devices in your home, particularly when you add a security system. Here is the average annual rate for homes in Washington with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms. 

Home insurance companies in Washington for dog owners

Insurance companies consider certain dog breeds to be “aggressive.” This is because, statistically, these breeds are responsible for a large percentage of dog bite-related liability claims. If you own a breed your insurance company considers to be aggressive, you’ll likely see higher rates than most.

With an average rate of $586 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates in Washington for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while State Farm’s average yearly premium of $2,958 is the highest. 

Home insurance companies in Washington for pool owners

Owning a pool can also result in higher home insurance premiums. Pools are considered a liability risk due to the risk of accidents in and around pools. Additionally, a pool is considered a separate structure that will need coverage under your dwelling coverage in case of damage.

Some insurance companies put more weight on pool ownership than others when it comes to calculating your rate.  

With an average rate of $586 per year, Allstate has the cheapest home insurance rates for Washington homes with a swimming pool, while State Farm’s average yearly premium of $2,958 is the most expensive. If you are a pool owner, make sure you compare policies to see who has the best rates.

How to buy homeowners insurance in Washington

Finding the right amount of coverage at the right price may feel overwhelming initially, but it’s quite manageable if you have the right guide. Since Washington’s average annual premium of $1,280 is lower than the national average, you may be tempted not to shop around. However, even with relatively low rates, comparing policies is essential to find the right fit at the right price.

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

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.