Home Insurance in Massachusetts

Massachusetts homeowners insurance: what you need to know

The average cost of home insurance in Massachusetts is $912 per year.  This is significantly lower than what the average American pays.  Home insurance is an optional — but important — product that works to keep your belongings safe in the event your home suffers damage from common incidents.

Large gulfs exist in home insurance costs on a state-by-state basis. Home insurance rates by state diverge depending on the frequency and value of home insurance claims filed in that particular state and depend on the price of the belongings and home you're insuring.

The best way to find an affordable home insurance policy in Massachusetts is to get quotes from multiple insurance companies. Learn more about home insurance rates in Massachusetts by reviewing the below data.

 

Table of contents:

1. Rates by company
2. Rates by coverage amount
3. Rates by deductible amount
4. Rates by city
5. Bundling savings
6. Frequently asked questions
7. Natural disaster coverage

 

The cheapest home insurance companies in Massachusetts

Rates for homeowners insurance in Massachusetts differ based on the insurer you choose. Citation offers the most affordable home insurance in Massachusetts —  $850 per year. This compares favorably to Massachusetts's average price of $912, providing a $62 price break on the state's average rate.

Begin your search for an affordable home insurance policy by reviewing the cheapest Massachusetts home insurance carriers, listed below. Then, check out our guide to the best homeowners insurance companies based on the results of The Zebra's Customer Satisfaction Survey.

 

AFFORDABLE HOME INSURERS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Insurance Company	Average Yearly Rate in Massachusetts
Citation	$850
Dorchester Mutual	$881
United	$906
Preferred Insurance	$929
Commerce	$934

 

Massachusetts home insurance prices by coverage levels

Your chosen level of homeowners coverage determines the insurance premiums you pay. In Massachusetts, carrying $200,000 dwelling coverage costs an average of $912 per year, while maintaining coverage up to $400,000 costs as much as $1,468 per year.

 

POPULAR COVERAGE LIMITS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Coverage Level	Average Annual Cost
$100,000 Dwelling	$614
$200,000 Dwelling	$912
$250,000 Dwelling	$1,049
$400,000 Dwelling	$1,468

 

Homeowners insurance deductibles in Massachusetts

Homeowners have a lot of decisions to make when shopping for a homeowners policy, including how much their deductible should be. A homeowners deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket toward a covered loss. Choosing where to set your deductible impacts how much you pay for your coverage.

A good rule of thumb is that the lower your deductible, the higher your premium will be. As such, if you want lower insurance rates, aim for a higher deductible. Remember that your homeowners deductible should not be set at an amount that you would have difficulty paying in the event of a loss.

Below you'll find some commonplace deductible options offered on most home policies along with corresponding average insurance premiums.

 

HOME INSURANCE PREMIUMS BY DEDUCTIBLE IN MASSACHUSETTS

Deductible Tier	Average Annual Homeowners Insurance Rate
$500	$1,175
$1,000	$1,049
$1,500	$1,014
$2,000	$937
$5,000	$807

 

Massachusetts homeowners insurance costs by city

Not all Massachusetts cities have the same homeowners insurance rates. Pricing may depend on locally specific variables such as the number of local claims filed, giving your ZIP code weight in deciding how much you pay.

The cheapest homeowners insurance in Massachusetts is found in Williamstown. The average home insurance policy in Williamstown costs only $728 per year — $184 less than the statewide average. The following cities have the most affordable homeowners insurance in Massachusetts.

 

CHEAPEST CITIES FOR HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE IN MASSACHUSETTS

City	Average 12-Month Home Insurance Rate
Williamstown	$728
Housatonic	$735
Lenox Dale	$737
Adams	$737
Great Barrington	$739

 

Check out our data-driven analyses of Boston.

 

Home and auto insurance bundling in Massachusetts

To trim a few dollars from your insurance costs, consider carrying your home and auto policies with the same insurance company. A home and car insurance bundle in Massachusetts can save you a substantial sum each month on auto insurance. Bundling policies in Massachusetts leads to an average annual savings of $172.

 

HOME AND AUTO BUNDLING DISCOUNTS IN MASSACHUSETTS

Avg. Annual Rate (No Bundle)	Avg. Annual Rate (w/ Bundle)	Annual Savings ($)	Annual Savings (%)
$1,277	$1,105	$172	16%

 

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Massachusetts homeowners insurance FAQs

 

Is homeowners insurance mandatory in Massachusetts?

State law does not require homeowners insurance in Massachusetts, but you'll need it to satisfy requirements set by your lender.

Can homeowners insurance increase in Massachusetts after one claim?

Yes, an increase in your homeowners insurance premium can be expected if you file a claim — even if the damage is caused by a covered loss. How much you can expect it to increase depends on a few variables: your location, the cause of the claim, your claims history, and how much the claims payout costs the insurance company.

 

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Natural disaster coverage in Massachusetts

 

Does homeowners insurance cover hurricanes in Massachusetts?

Since hurricanes can cause such catastrophic destruction and wipe out structures altogether, insurance companies remain unwilling to assume the full risk of hurricanes as a whole. If you own a house in Massachusetts, there could be an increased risk of suffering hurricane damage. 11,048 single-family residences are exceedingly vulnerable to hurricane damage in Massachusetts.*

If you reside near the coast, it's essential to check and understand your homeowners policy because a basic policy won't be sufficient to cover the expenses of repairing hurricane damage — you would need to bolster your policy with windstorm and flood insurance, which would work together to pay for the damages. Depending on your state, your insurer may require a separate deductible for hurricanes if you live in an area that's at high risk for hurricanes.

*Source: NOAA'S National Weather Service

 

HURRICANE DEDUCTIBLE RATES IN MASSACHUSETTS

Company	Average Annual Rate w/ Hurricane Deductible
AIG	$651
United	$661
Norfolk & Dedham	$747
MAPFRE	$780
Safety	$812

 

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Massachusetts?

Damage via flooding, whether from a hurricane or a downpour, is not covered by home insurance. Flood insurance is important in Massachusetts, which faced $183,108 in flood insurance claims in 2016, according to data from FEMA.* To protect your home, acquire insurance through FEMA's National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or via a private insurer. Coverage details from private insurance companies vary.

If you purchase flood insurance through NFIP, you'll receive:

• $250,000 for your home’s structure
• $100,000 for your personal property

If the value of your personal property and home exceeds these limits, consider purchasing a flood insurance policy from our partners at Neptune for additional protection.

*Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)