How much is homeowners insurance in Connecticut

You may be wondering how much home insurance costs in Connecticut. The cost of home insurance is different depending on where you live.

Average homeowners insurance in CT

The average price of home insurance in Connecticut varies depending on where you live. Here is the average annual cost for our customers in three different areas:

If you’re looking for a Connecticut home insurance calculator, click here. Then select a home type and enter your address.

How is home insurance priced

There are several factors that determine how much homeowners insurance costs in Connecticut.

Weather exposure

Your state’s exposure to weather plays a significant role in how much you pay for homeowners insurance. Home insurance in Connecticut can cost a little more because part of the state is located along the coast. This means that some homes in Connecticut are at risk for high winds, hurricanes and flooding.

The closer your home is to the coast, the more your insurance rate will go up to cover that risk. For example, if you live 1,500 feet from the Connecticut coastline, you’ll pay more for home insurance than someone who lives 15 miles from the coast. This is true even though flood damage isn’t covered by home insurance.

Snowstorms and ice dams can also damage your property in Connecticut—particularly the roof of your home. Think about protecting yourself and your home from these winter events.

Size of home

Another factor that affects the cost of homeowners insurance coverage in Connecticut is the size of your home. On average, a simple ranch house is cheaper to rebuild and replace than a larger, complex house. As a result, the cost to insure a simple ranch home will be less.

Age of home

The age of your home also impacts your insurance premium. Typically, newer homes are cheaper to insure than older homes because they have endured less wear and tear over the years. As a result, the structure of a newer home, as well as its systems, are less likely to cause you problems.

Distance to fire station

Another contributing factor is the distance between your home and the nearest fire station. Let’s say you live in a rural part of Connecticut that is 15 miles away from the nearest fire station. In this case, it will take firefighters longer to arrive at your home than a home that’s only a mile away. As a result, your home on average will cost more to insure.

On the other hand, homes in rural areas of Connecticut aren’t exposed to as much theft as urban homes. That will lower your insurance premium a bit.

Claims filed in Connecticut

The number of home insurance claims filed across a state can also affect the average cost of home insurance coverage. The more claims that are filed, the greater the average cost of insurance. The total value of those claims can also affect the cost.

Customize your coverage

Another factor that insurance companies consider when determining your homeowners insurance rate is how much insurance you buy. Your average homeowners insurance policy will typically include the following:

• Dwelling – Covers damages to the physical structure of your home. It’s used to repair or rebuild a home if it’s damaged by a fire, storm or some other event covered by your homeowners policy. 
• Other structures – Pays to repair or replace structures on your property that are disconnected from the main house, such as a garage, fence or shed.
• Personal property – Covers the cost of personal property damage or theft. Applies to possessions inside and outside of the home, such as furniture, TVs and computers.
• Additional living expenses (or loss of use) – Reimburses you for lodging, meals and other related expenses if you need to vacate your home due to severe damage.
• Personal liability – Provides protection if the homeowner is legally responsible for property damage or injuries to others. It may help pay for legal expenses, medical bills and other costs.  

Beyond these standard coverages, you may want to customize your Connecticut homeowners policy to ensure that you have the best possible protection. There are many optional coverages that you can purchase based on your particular needs. It may cost more up front, but it should be worth the investment in the long run.

Water Backup is a coverage you may need. If your sump pump fails, or water comes up into your house from the plumbing system, Water Backup insurance will help cover the cost of the damage, saving you from an expensive repair bill. You may also want to purchase a separate flood insurance policy if you live in an area prone to flooding.

Discounts in Connecticut

The rising cost of insurance is a common complaint these days, whether you own a house or condo. Fortunately, most insurers offer a variety of discounts that will help you save on your homeowners insurance rate in Connecticut.

Security protection devices

Investing in protective devices like fire and smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and security systems—especially if they’re centrally monitored—will help drive down the price of your home insurance in Connecticut.

Connected home devices

You could save if your home is equipped with internet-connected devices that protect you from theft, fire or water damage. For example, many insurance companies will give you a discount if you have a water leak sensor. In this case, if your sump pump fails, you will be alerted before severe damage happens.

Storm shutters

Putting storm shutters on your house, especially if you’re close to the Connecticut coast, will better fortify your home’s physical structure. It may cost some money upfront to install, but it will lower your home insurance premium, plus save you the headache of the claim. 

Age of roof

Another potential home insurance discount in Connecticut is the age of your roof. Simply put, the newer your roof, the more you save off of your base rate. If you replace your roof, it’s best to call your insurance company and let them know.

Bundling

Another way to lower your premium in Connecticut is through bundling. Bundling is when you buy two or more policies from the same insurer. For example, you can bundle your homeowners insurance with your auto insurance. Many carriers will give you a discount if you bundle your home or auto policy with an umbrella insurance policy.

New business/advanced quote

Shopping early might be the best way to save money on your home insurance. That’s because many companies offer new business discounts just for signing up and an additional discount if you shop in advance of your prior policy’s renewal.

Affinity groups

You may receive another discount on your homeowners insurance if you belong to an affinity group. Affinity groups can include alumni associations, credit unions, teachers’ associations and AARP. Ask your independent agent in Connecticut which affinity group discounts your insurance company offers.

How much should your deductible be

A homeowners deductible is how much you’re required to pay out of pocket toward a homeowners insurance claim. Choosing your deductible plays a significant role in how much you pay for insurance in Connecticut.

A good rule of thumb is the lower your deductible, the higher your premium. Therefore if your goal is lower home insurance rates, it makes sense to keep your deductible higher. It’s worth remembering that your deductible should only be as high as you can reasonably pay in the case of an actual loss.

As a coastal resident of Connecticut, your home insurance policy may include a separate deductible for hurricane claims. The amount of this deductible, which is usually a percentage of your Dwelling coverage amount, will be higher than your policy’s regular deductible.