Compare quote’s from Ohio’s top home insurance carriers
Homeowners know how valuable their home is, whether it’s a new house full of potential or one full of treasured memories. As a result, Buckeye State residents are searching for the best homeowners insurance in Ohio to protect their homes, fulfill mortgage conditions and prevent high out-of-pocket costs.
To give you peace of mind about a purchase, the Guides Home Team has created a list of the top homeowners insurance providers for Ohioans based on plans, benefits, coverage, discounts, customer reviews and third-party ratings. Read on for our five highly rated options for coverage.
Top 6 Homeowners Insurance Providers in Ohio
After in-depth research, we at the Guides Home Team found that the following are Ohio’s best homeowners insurance providers:
- Hippo: Our pick for fast quotes
- Liberty Mutual: Our pick for discounts
- Allstate: Our pick for extended coverage
- State Farm: Our pick for new homeowners
- Geico: Our pick for optional coverage
- Travelers: Our pick for deductible savings
According to 2023 homeowners insurance data from Quadrant Information Services, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Ohio is $1,654.00, which is lower than the overall average cost of $2,511.25.
What Factors Affect Home Insurance Rates in Ohio?
Multiple aspects influence your Ohio homeowners insurance rates. Here are some of the factors we see affect home insurance quotes and premiums:
- Home security features: Home insurance companies often provide discounts for homes with features to protect against theft, vandalism and emergencies. For example, homes with burglar systems, sprinklers, fire alarms or deadbolts will often have lower premiums. Insurers see these homes as better protected and less likely to file a claim in the future.
- Remodeling: As most homeowners know, updating your home can affect its estimated value and increase its replacement cost value. When updating or remodeling portions of your home, it’s important to communicate with your provider to ensure your policy accurately reflects your house’s current value.
- Dog breed: Four-legged family members are valuable parts of your home, but homeowners insurance providers don’t accept all dogs. Some dog breeds that are seen as aggressive — particularly Rottweilers, Doberman pinschers and pit bulls — can increase premiums or disqualify households from insurance coverage.
- Policy structure: The coverage limits, add-on options and deductibles you choose can influence the premiums you pay. A higher deductible can reduce monthly costs but also means you’ll pay more out of pocket if you need to file a homeowners insurance claim. Conversely, choosing higher coverage limits and adding endorsements can raise your premium.
- Claims history: Because insurers see a history of previous claims as an indicator of future claims and costs, most providers will raise your insurance rates if you’ve filed a claim in the recent past. Conversely, a claims-free insurance history may result in a discount on your policy.
- Credit score: Similarly to other financial products, a higher credit score will likely lower your monthly premium, while a lower credit score may raise it. Insurance companies often see a good credit score as a sign that you’re likely to make consistent payments in the future. Scores in the high 600s or above are considered good credit, with a score above 740 typically receiving the best rates on many financial products, including homeowners insurance.
- Address: Different areas of each state have different potential liabilities, including flooding, pests, crime rates and other possible expenses. Your home’s location will be a factor in determining the cost of your homeowners insurance policy.
- Replacement cost: Replacement cost value, or RCV, is a higher level of coverage that replaces your home with material similar to those with which it was constructed. It differs from actual cost value, or ACV, which factors in the cost of the materials and items in your home after depreciation. While choosing RCV coverage is a precaution that can save money in an emergency, this heightened coverage often raises monthly or annual premiums.
- Age: The quality and materials of items such as building materials, plumbing and electrical wiring have improved over the years. While this is good news for owners of a newer home, those insuring an older property may have trouble finding replacement materials, which may prove expensive or difficult to source. What’s more, everyday wear and tear and structural issues often accompany aging homes. Both of these factors make older houses more costly to insure.
- Condition: Questions during the quote process about the fixtures within your home or its roof quality will be used to help determine your rate. A damaged or old roof will be costly to repair, causing a significant rise in price.
- Discounts: If you’re eligible, applying discounts to your policy can reduce your price each month or year. As you shop for homeowners insurance, look for the providers on this list who offer discounts you can claim.
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Ohio
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Ohio is $1,654.00 which is lower than the national average of $2,511.25 according to our analysis of homeowners insurance premiums using data provided by Quadrant Information Services. The annual cost of homeowners insurance can vary greatly based on your specific location which can cause your home to be more or less susceptible to risk. Use the charts below to determine the average cost in your specific area before getting quotes from multiple providers.
Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in Ohio
Armed Forces Insurance is the cheapest homeowners insurance company in Ohio at $1,182 per year on average. Get a quote from at least three providers in your area to determine which is the right fit for your unique needs before making a final decision.
Common Causes of Home Insurance Claims in Ohio
According to the III, Ohio home insurance is the eighth-least expensive in the United States. Nevertheless, homeowners can face unexpected costs. Here are the most common causes of home insurance claims in Ohio:
- Ice dams. Ice can build up unseen on a home’s roof in the winter after heavy snowfall. Over time, this can create roof leaks. Ohio winters can also lead to frozen and burst pipes, creating even more water damage throughout the house.
- Property damage from wind, hail or fallen limbs. During heavy storms and significant winds, branches from trees, hail or heavy gusts can damage roofs and trees around Ohio homes, leading to expensive repairs.
- Theft and burglary. Stolen personal property or damage to the home can be common causes of homeowners insurance claims in metropolitan areas such as Columbus, Cincinnati or Cleveland. Thankfully, a policy can help repair or replace damaged or purloined items.
Allstate’s Common and Costly Claims tool reveals that damage from fire and smoke are some of the most expensive claims across the Buckeye State, despite not being the most common ones homeowners face. This expense is yet another reason to install protective devices to detect fires.
The Bottom Line: Which Homeowners Insurance Provider in Ohio Is Best for You?
After hours of research and analysis on the best insurance options in Ohio, we determined that Allstate offers the best overall coverage for Buckeye homeowners, due to its high customer satisfaction ratings and comprehensive coverage.
Meanwhile, new homeowners may benefit from State Farm’s informative tools and tips. Each provider listed here has its own unique benefits and came out as a frontrunner in our research, and we’d recommend any of these companies for quality service.
Due to the variety of choices available, our team always recommends getting at least three quotes from these top providers to find the best rates and coverage for your needs using the tool below:
Frequently Asked Questions About OH Homeowners Insurance
Ohio does not legally require homeowners insurance for those who own their homes outright. However, most mortgage lenders will require a basic level of coverage for home buyers. Lender requirements vary based on your home’s location, value and other details.
Generally, damage from flooding and earthquakes is not covered by home insurance. However, you can purchase earthquake coverage as an add-on through some home insurance providers and flood insurance through the federal government’s National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Valuables, such as jewelry and artwork, collectible items and identity theft are also not covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy. Exclusions vary by provider and policy, so it’s important to read terms and conditions to determine what is not covered in a homeowners insurance plan.
Good news for Ohio residents: The average cost of homeowners insurance in Ohio is $1,654.00 per year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (III). This annual cost is lower than the average U.S. rate of $2,511.25 per year.
Homeowners can lower their rates by choosing a lower deductible, maintaining a credit score of 700 or above, taking advantage of provider discounts and ensuring their home has added security features.
Yes, damage from snowstorms is typically covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, if snowfall or ice causes preventable damage such as a roof leak due to poor maintenance or normal wear-and-tear, your policy likely will not cover the claim.
Methodology: Our System for Ranking the Best Home Insurance Companies
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