If you’re looking for homeowners insurance
in Washington
, consider a homeowners insurance policy with sufficient protection against earthquakes, fires, and windstorms. These hazards are some of the most common causes of damage in the region and repairs are incredibly costly. To protect your home, you can expect to pay $863 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage—34% less than the national average. That’s nothing compared to the cost of completely rebuilding your home.
Ready to safeguard your investment? Licensed home
and car insurance
broker and comparison app Jerry
is here to help, with everything you need to know to get the best coverage for your home in the Evergreen State. What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance protects your home and personal possessions from damage or loss in the event of unexpected perils. It also includes personal liability coverage, which protects you if you're found legally liable for accidentally harming someone in or out of your home.
Consider the value of your home and your possessions when determining how much coverage you require. How much would it cost to rebuild and replace your home and valuables if they were damaged? Your insurance provider will recommend coverage limits based on these criteria, but it’s always wise to take stock of your possessions to make sure you’re covered.
Basic components of homeowners insurance
Although home insurance policies can vary significantly, you can usually count on coverage for these key components:
Coverage A (Structure): This coverage, also known as dwelling coverage, protects the structure of your home in the event that it needs to be repaired or rebuilt.
Coverage B (Additional structures): This coverage, also known as other structures coverage, includes fences, garages, sheds, and gazebos.
Coverage C (Personal property): This can assist with paying for personal belongings like furniture, jewelry, or electronics in the event of theft or other insured risks. There are coverage restrictions, so if you have valuable stuff, you may need to purchase additional insurance.
Coverage D (Additional expenses): This pays your living expenses if you file a claim and are unable to stay on your property while repairs are being completed.
Coverage E (Personal liability): If someone is accidentally injured on your property, this covers the cost of litigation and medical expenses.
When purchasing a home insurance policy, you must also determine if you want actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost coverage. Actual cash value covers you for the depreciated value of your damaged property. Replacement cost coverage, which generally has a higher premium, reimburses you for the expense of purchasing a new replacement.
MORE: How to compare home insurance quotes
Named perils
The 16 named perils are the most prevalent disasters that home insurance covers. Severe storms, fires, explosions, and theft are common examples.
Certain risks, such as floods or earthquakes, are nearly always excluded from standard home insurance policies. This means you’ll have to purchase an endorsement if you want that coverage. Home insurance policies also exclude normal wear and tear as well as negligence.
Always check with your home insurance carrier if you have questions regarding a specific type of coverage or other limits and exclusions.
Is homeowners insurance required in Washington?
While homeowners insurance is not required in Washington, mortgage lenders typically require it to safeguard their investment. Home repairs can be pricey, so having insurance provides the lender with a sense of security.
Dwelling coverage, often known as hazard insurance, is typically required by mortgage lenders to cover the structure of the home. It is your responsibility to choose a house insurance policy that provides adequate coverage for your personal belongings and any responsibilities.
How to get homeowners insurance
Always compare home insurance quotes before committing to a policy so you know you're getting the best rate (the Jerry
app does this fast!). When providing a quote, insurance companies consider your personal information, so accepting an insurance suggestion from a friend isn’t necessarily the best decision. If you already own a car, start by requesting a quote from your auto insurance
provider. Many providers offer discounts if you bundle your home and auto
policy. Just keep in mind that you are not obligated to accept the first quote you receive. Recommended home insurance coverage in Washington
If you own a home in Washington, make sure you’re insured for these perils:
Hail & Windstorms. The most common claims in Washington result from hail and wind damage. Luckily, these perils are covered in most standard home insurance policies.
Fire & lightning. With over 13,000 fires in Washington State in the last 12 years, make sure you have adequate coverage for fire damage. Even the smallest fire can cause costly repairs.
Earthquakes. Washington has the second-highest earthquake risk in the country. Most homeowners insurance policies exclude earthquakes, but don’t worry—you can still purchase earthquake insurance as an added endorsement.
MORE: How much does earthquake insurance cost?
Why is homeowners insurance in Washington so expensive?
Homeowners insurance in Washington is actually 34% less than the national average of $1,312 per year. Washington home insurance costs on average $863 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage, despite the occurrence of severe storms and earthquakes.
Like in most states, providers estimate home insurance costs based on the frequency of claims and perils in the region. However, these aren’t the only factors that go into determining your home insurance premiums. Personal details such as your credit history, zip code, and even marital status affect your home insurance quote.
Homeowners insurance discounts in Washington
There are always ways to reduce the cost of your homeowner's insurance. Inquire about these possible discounts with your insurance company:
| |
|---|
| Bundling home and auto insurance with the same company could save you money. |
| You may qualify for a lower rate if you've reduced your risk of theft by installing a monitored security alarm. |
| Fire alarm systems notify the fire department immediately, allowing them to intervene before major damage occurs. This is advantageous to home insurance companies, and it may result in a reduced premium. |
| If you’re an existing customer who hasn’t filed a claim in years, you may be eligible for a discounted rate. |
| If you can afford it, paying your house insurance annually will typically decrease your bill. |
How to save on home insurance
Don’t let shopping for home insurance
keep you up at night. With Jerry
, you’ll get quotes from all of the top home insurance providers in seconds. A licensed broker that offers end-to-end support, the Jerry app gathers affordable quotes, helps you switch plans, and helps to cancel your old policy. Even better—Jerry will help you bundle your home and auto policies for maximum savings.
With Jerry’s help, you can protect your Washington home for an affordable rate, without sacrificing coverage.
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