Using ratings from J.D. Power, A.M. Best, and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), we found the top 20 home insurance companies for customer service, financial strength and price.
The last thing you want to deal with after a loss to your property is your insurance company giving you a hard time when you need them most. If you expect a smooth claims process and communicative customer service from the insurer of your choice, it's imperative you do some research before binding your insurance policy.
Let's first define what "best" means in the context of insurance companies. Using some of the same metrics used for our evaluation of auto insurance companies, we gathered ratings of the top home insurance companies in the U.S. The table below distills each company's scores for customer satisfaction, financial strength and number of customer complaints. Each of these scores is gathered by reputable third-party organizations.
See more information — and average homeowners rates — by clicking on any of the insurance company names below, or see tips on how to choose the best company.
| Insurance Company | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Rating | A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating | NAIC Customer Complaint Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| USAA | 5/5 | A++ | Very Good |
| Amica | 5/5 | A+ | Very Good |
| Erie Insurance | 5/5 | A+ | Very Good |
| Auto Club of Southern California | 4/5 | A+ | Good |
| State Farm | 4/5 | A++ | Very Good |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | 4/5 | A++ | Very Good |
| Allstate | 3/5 | A+ | Good |
| Country Financial | 3/5 | A+ | Very Good |
| Progressive | 3/5 | A+ | Below Average |
| American Family | 3/5 | A | Good |
| Farmers | 3/5 | A | Good |
| CSAA Insurance | 3/5 | A | Good |
| Automobile Club | 3/5 | A+ | Good |
| Nationwide | 2/5 | A+ | Very Good |
| Travelers | 2/5 | A++ | Good |
| AIG | 2/5 | A | Very Good |
| Liberty Mutual | 2/5 | A | Below Average |
| MetLife | 2/5 | A | Very Good |
| Chubb | 2/5 | A++ | Very Good |
| UPC Insurance | 2/5 | A- | Below Average |
USAA has the third-largest market share in homeowners insurance and is highly regarded with top marks for customer satisfaction and financial strength. The company's policies are also well-priced, costing an average of about $127 per month. However, USAA only provides coverage for military members and their families.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,526 | $11 more |
Amica earns consistently positive reviews but emerged as the second priciest company out of the top 20 insurers surveyed, with a monthly rate of $165 — 31% more than the group average.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,985 | $470 more |
One of the only three insurance companies awarded a full five out of five stars by J.D. Power, Erie offers coverage in just 12 states and Washington, D.C. It was also the cheapest, costing $40 less per month than the group average.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,037 | $477 less |
The largest regional subsidiary of AAA, the Auto Club of Southern California offers numerous lines of insurance, including homeowners insurance. You must be an AAA member to be eligible for their insurance. On average, this company's pricing is on the higher side — about $139 a month.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,670 | $155 higher |
With almost 18% market share in home insurance, State Farm is a familiar name for many as it also dominates the auto insurance space. State Farm's homeowners insurance is generally regarded positively, complete with strong financial footing for paying out claims. With an average monthly premium of $122, State Farm sits squarely middle-of-the-road in terms of insurance costs but is slightly cheaper than USAA.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,464 | $50 less |
Auto-Owners' home insurance has overall favorable ratings in customer satisfaction and financial strength. It also ranked as one of the more inexpensive insurance companies, costing about $92 per month.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,114 | $400 less |
Another popular name in insurance, Allstate has the second-highest market share in home insurance — a little over 8% — and is a bit cheaper than State Farm. Its customer satisfaction and customer complaint ratings, however, are just average.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,394 | $120 less |
Country Financial is a smaller, Illinois-based insurance company that offers insurance in 19 states. Though it costs a tad more ($135/month) than average, this insurer has a decent customer complaint ratio and a good financial outlook.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,627 | $112 more |
According to Progressive, bundling homeowners and car insurance can yield a savings of 12% — but our findings indicate that Progressive's home insurance tends to cost 15% more than the group average. Its customer complaint score is also poor compared to other companies of its size.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,737 | $222 more |
American Family has a better customer complaint score than Progressive but its financial strength is not as robust. Coverage costs about $143 per month, making it comparable to Progressive's pricing, but still more expensive than other top companies.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,724 | $209 more |
Farmers comes with middling scores for customer service and financial strength though it currently holds fifth-place in market share for homeowners insurance. It was also the third most expensive company, costing over $150 a month — 20% pricier than the group average.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,822 | $307 more |
CSAA is an AAA affiliate that primarily serves northern California, Nevada and Utah. This insurer ranked as the most expensive provider of home insurance — almost $500 per year in additional premium — but has just-average scores for financial stability and customer service.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $2,008 | $493 more |
AAA is mostly known for roadside assistance programs, but it also offers a host of insurance products for its members. Homeowners insurance from AAA typically costs an average of $101 per month — 20% cheaper than other top companies.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,213 | $301 less |
The eighth-largest provider of home insurance by market share, Nationwide has a below-average customer service rating and a passable financial strength and customer complaint ratio. In terms of cost of coverage, it sits right around the middle — $118 a month.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,427 | $87 less |
Travelers received top marks for financial strength, but its customer satisfaction rating is mediocre despite its standing as the sixth most popular company by market share. The cost of Travelers home insurance is close to the overall group average but more expensive than comparable companies like Allstate, Nationwide, and State Farm.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,497 | $17 less |
American International Group (AIG) specializes in insuring high-value properties and is considered a premier insurance company. These insurance providers typically offer additional benefits, like expanded coverage options and coverage limits, add-ons, and other perks. Though it was given a good customer complaint rating by the NAIC, AIG's customer satisfaction score was subpar.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,090 | $423 less |
Liberty Mutual is the fourth-largest provider of home insurance by market share and is generally well-priced compared to other top companies of similar size. It numbers among the cheaper insurance companies out of all surveyed — costing an average of $117 per month — but is slightly more expensive than Allstate. However, it's worth noting that Liberty Mutual received unfavorable scores for customer service and the number of complaints.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,414 | $100 less |
Home insurance policies with MetLife run about 9% more than other top companies, with a monthly premium of $138. Its customer service may not be stellar but coverage tends to be cheaper than Progressive, Farmers, and Amica.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,655 | $140 more |
Chubb is another premier insurance company that provides home insurance for high-worth properties and those with many assets. The company has a very positive financial outlook but not the best customer satisfaction rating.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,384 | $130 less |
UPC's homeowners insurance is decently-priced at $125 per month but its financial status — which impacts a company's ability to pay out insurance claims — was the shakiest out of all insurers surveyed. Its customer complaint ratio was also substandard.
| Average Annual Premium | Cost vs. Top 20 Average |
|---|---|
| $1,502 | $12 less |
With all the choices out there, it can be overwhelming to find the best company to insure your home. Consider our expert tips on how to prioritize your needs and what to think about during this process.
All of the essential home insurance coverages should already be outlined in your home insurance policy. This comprises of protection for your dwelling and other structures (at replacement cost), personal property, liability coverage, additional living expenses and medical payments to others.
The best insurance companies will offer some additional coverages — also known as endorsements — that bolster or expand your coverage in your homeowners insurance policy. A useful one to consider is upgrading to replacement cost coverage for your personal property; with a standard policy, losses to home contents are typically based on actual cash value, which deducts depreciation. This will ensure you receive the full amount required to replace your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance endorsements.
If you already have auto insurance with Company A, it would be worth looking into bundling a new homeowners policy with the same company. Bundling discounts number as one of the most common discounts found at most insurance companies — and home and auto, in particular, is a popular bundling option.
However, keep in mind that even with a bundling discount, your rate could be better elsewhere; some insurance providers are just more expensive than others, even if your risk profile remains unchanged. Shopping and comparing quotes before the end of every policy period is one of the best ways to secure the cheapest rates. Don't be afraid to switch companies — if you receive a better quote from Company B midway through your policy with Company A, paying the initial cancellation fee could be worth the future savings.
The discounts offered by most insurance companies tend to be quite small, and the range of discounts also varies widely by company. But this doesn't mean they're not worth inquiring about. Some discounts are automatically built into your insurance premium when you get a quote and can turn into sizable savings over time. Here are some popular discounts for homeowners insurance:
