While Seattle is a great place to own a house, its long rainy season means properties have an outsized risk of mold and mildew damage. Despite this sneaky but expensive problem, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Seattle is just $1,195 per year or $100 a month. This is around 6% lower than the Washington state average, and nearly 37% lower than the national average of $1,899 per year.
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 Seattle, WA.
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.
Best homeowners insurance companies in Seattle
Of the top companies we looked at, Allstate has the lowest rate, with an average annual policy cost of $586 — well below the city average of $1,195. Average rates for Farmers, USAA, and PEMCO Insurance also came in below the city 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 Seattle 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 Seattle residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Seattle.
Company | Average yearly cost | J.D. Power Rating |
|---|---|---|
State Farm | $2,624 | 835 |
Farmers | $1,218 | 813 |
Allstate | $586 | 829 |
USAA | $976 | 882 |
PEMCO Insurance | $680 | -- |
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
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 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
Why Farmers tops our best list
Seattle teachers, nurses, and first responders have the opportunity to save on homeowners insurance with Farmers. In addition to savings, Farmers gives Seattle residents the option of rebuilding their home with green materials after a covered loss.
How to get a quote
Online through Farmers
Why Allstate tops our best list
Seattle 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
Why USAA tops our best list
USAA has excellent coverage options, great customer service ratings, and several available discounts for Seattle 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 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 tops our best list
While Seattle isn’t traditionally a city 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 Seattle 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 ZIP code in Seattle
Looking at average home insurance costs for 15 of the most popular companies in Seattle, we found that the cheapest home insurance in the city can be found in the 98101 ZIP code, the Pike Place market area of Seattle. The average rate with Allstate in this area is $586 per year, which is significantly less than the city average of $1,195 per year.
Homeowners in every Seattle ZIP code will likely find that Allstate is their cheapest home insurance option. Seattle residents in the most expensive ZIP codes for home insurance can get coverage with Allstate for under $600 per year.
ZIP code | Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|---|
98101 | Allstate | $586 |
98102 | Allstate | $586 |
98103 | Allstate | $586 |
98104 | Allstate | $586 |
98105 | Allstate | $586 |
98106 | Allstate | $590 |
98107 | Allstate | $586 |
98108 | Allstate | $590 |
98109 | Allstate | $586 |
98112 | Allstate | $586 |
98115 | Allstate | $573 |
98116 | Allstate | $590 |
98117 | Allstate | $586 |
98118 | Allstate | $590 |
98119 | Allstate | $586 |
98121 | Allstate | $586 |
98122 | Allstate | $586 |
98125 | Allstate | $573 |
98126 | Allstate | $590 |
98131 | Allstate | $586 |
98132 | Allstate | $586 |
98133 | Allstate | $573 |
98134 | Allstate | $590 |
98136 | Allstate | $590 |
98144 | Allstate | $590 |
98154 | Allstate | $586 |
98158 | Allstate | $590 |
98161 | Allstate | $586 |
98164 | Allstate | $586 |
98174 | Allstate | $586 |
98195 | Allstate | $586 |
98199 | Allstate | $586 |
The most affordable areas for homeowners insurance in Seattle
With an average home insurance rate of $1,122 per year, the 98109 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Seattle.
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
98109 | $1,122 |
98107 | $1,129 |
98117 | $1,131 |
98105 | $1,132 |
98119 | $1,134 |
The most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Seattle
With an average home insurance rate of $1,259 per year, the 98154 ZIP code (metro area) is the most expensive area for home insurance in Seattle. However, rates only vary slightly between the highest and lowest cost areas, keeping homeowners insurance rates in Seattle consistent.
ZIP code | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
98154 | $1,259 |
98164 | $1,257 |
98132 | $1,239 |
98104 | $1,238 |
98158 | $1,235 |
Shopping for homeowners insurance in Seattle
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.
There are a few things you’ll need to consider when purchasing homeowners insurance in Seattle. Earthquakes and volcanic action are a concern in the area, and with the close proximity to Puget Sound, the city also has some flood risk.
In this section, we break down the average annual home insurance rates in Seattle for different coverage and deductible levels, as well as the cheapest and most expensive home insurance companies for dog 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 Seattle.
Seattle home insurance costs by coverage amounts
Dwelling coverage is the section of your homeowners insurance policy that protects your home from covered losses, such as fire or wind damage. Your dwelling coverage limit should be equal to the replacement cost of your home, which is determined by things like its square footage and construction costs in your area — not the home’s sale price or market value.
As the table below indicates, more dwelling coverage equals higher home insurance premiums. In Seattle, for every $100,000 in dwelling coverage, the average insurance premium increases approximately $300 per year.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $613 |
$200,000 | $898 |
$300,000 | $1,195 |
$400,000 | $1,539 |
$500,000 | $1,878 |
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 legally responsible. This covers instances such as dog bites, pool or trampoline-related injuries, or if a visitor falls down your stairs.
You should have enough coverage to cover the value of all of your assets in the event that the victim decides to sue. When choosing a liability coverage amount, consider the value of your home, 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. In this case, a policy with $100,000 in liability coverage is only about $100 less than one with $500,000 in coverage. While your premiums will differ slightly from the average, opting for high liability coverage limits is a great value add for any policy.
Liability coverage amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$100,000 | $1,172 |
$200,000 | $956 |
$300,000 | $1,195 |
$400,000 | $738 |
$500,000 | $1,283 |
Seattle 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 higher deductible typically means lower premiums, but there is a risk in doing this. You’ll want to make sure it’s set to an amount you can afford in the event of a loss.
As seen in the table below, a policy with a $500 deductible doesn’t cost much more than a policy with a $2,000 deductible.
Deductible amount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
$500 | $1,309 |
$1,000 | $1,195 |
$2,000 | $1,227 |
Home insurance discounts in Seattle
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 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 for homes in Seattle with deadbolts, smoke alarms, or burglar alarms.
Discount | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Dead bolt | $1,194 |
Smoke alarm | $1,194 |
Burglar alarm | $1,149 |
Home insurance companies in Seattle 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 Seattle for a home with a dangerous dog breed, while State Farms’ average yearly premium of $2,624 is the highest.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $586 |
PEMCO Insurance | $680 |
USAA | $976 |
Farmers | $1,218 |
State Farm | $2,624 |
Home insurance companies in Seattle 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 Seattle homes with a swimming pool, while State Farms’s average yearly premium of $2,624 is the most expensive. If you are a pool owner, make sure you compare policies to see who has the best rates.
Company | Average yearly cost |
|---|---|
Allstate | $586 |
PEMCO Insurance | $680 |
USAA | $976 |
Farmers | $1,271 |
State Farm | $2,624 |
How to buy homeowners insurance in Seattle
Finding the right amount of coverage at the right price may seem like an overwhelming endeavor, but it’s actually fairly easy if you know what to look for in a company and policy. Since Seattle’s average annual premium of $1,195 is slightly below the state average, you will still enjoy lower rates than other Washington residents, but there are other things you should consider when choosing a policy.
Here are a few steps to follow as you shop for homeowners insurance in Seattle:
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in Seattle?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Seattle is $100 per month, or $1,195 per year.
Why does the breed of my dog matter?
Having a dog considered to be an “aggressive” breed means that you are statistically more likely to file a dog bite liability claim. Therefore, your premiums will reflect the increased risk. Shopping around can find you the best policy for your home and your dog.
Does Washington consider my credit score?
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 it is, 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.
