$1,034. According to a 2015 study published by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), that's the size of the average annual homeowners insurance premium in the U.S. in 2012 (the most recent year for which data are available).
And it's likely to increase. With the cost of insurance claims increasing at more than twice the rate of inflation since 1997, homeowners insurance premiums have gone up correspondingly. In the U.S., insurance rates have risen more than 50% over the past 10 years alone.
Of course, the national average premium is likely not the amount you will pay. Insurance premiums vary widely from area to area, not to mention from company to company. To zero in on the cost of homeowners insurance in your neighborhood requires a little more analysis.
(For a brush-up on the basics, check out The Beginner's Guide To Homeowners Insurance.)
Location MattersWhy do homeowners insurance rates vary from state to state? It has to do, mostly, with the weather.
Rates in hurricane-prone states such as Florida can be almost twice the national average. Similar rate swings can be found in other storm-vulnerable states such as Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
Oklahoma, with more tornadoes per square mile than another other state, suffers a similar weather-related rate hike fate.
Conversely, states that rarely see large-scale natural disasters or weather events have insurance rates that fall below the average. They include Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Utah and Wisconsin. In Idaho, for example, you could expect to pay rates that are almost half the national average.
Go here and click on the name of your state for more rate information about where you live.
Other FactorsIn addition to location (and weather patterns within), there are other factors that help determine homeowners insurance premium rates.
You're not necessarily stuck with the standard premium (or the first one quoted you). Negotiations are possible. For example, Insurance companies offer discounts for security (burglar) alarms, smoke and CO2 detectors, dead-bolt locks, sprinkler systems and in some cases even weatherproofing.
Another way to earn a discount is by purchasing multiple policies from the same company. This includes homeowners, auto, boat, vacation home and life insurance, to name a few. However, the discount for one-stop-shopping does not always outweigh the advantage of lower rates from different companies, so definitely compare before deciding.
Some companies provide a special discount for seniors, or for people who work from home. The rationale is that both these groups tend to be on premises more often – leaving the house less prone to burglary.
Loyalty often pays, too. The longer you stay with some companies, the lower your premium can become – or the lower your deductible will be.
The Bottom LineKnowing the average cost of homeowners insurance in your area can help you plan and budget. Utilizing your knowledge about the various factors that affect rates can help you beat that average.
Different insurers use different algorithms that assign different weights to the various factors involved. For that reason, good old-fashioned comparison-shopping can pay off in the end.
Finally, take into account the amount of coverage you need, the reputation of the company and recommendations from neighbors and friends who have dealt with the insurer you are considering. In the end, peace of mind – at a fair price – is what you seek.