Birmingham, MI Homeowners Insurance
Find the right homeowners insurance policy for you.
Written by
Ann Herro has been writing about insurance and employee benefits for over 15 years. She has covered topics as easy as insuring a car, and as difficult as transparency in healthcare costs.
The City of Birmingham, MI is a Detroit suburb with approximately 20,000 people. Named among the nation’s “20 Most Walkable Cities,” this low-crime, community-oriented city is a lovely place to raise a family. Residents enjoy a small-town feel, with all the amenities of a larger city just a short drive away. The thriving, pedestrian-friendly downtown area features restaurants, theaters, galleries, stores, and professional offices; and there are a number of parks and recreational facilities available. If you are among the proud homeowners in this vibrant Oakland County city, you will want to be sure to protect your investment with a suitable Birmingham home insurance policy.
When you are shopping for affordable coverage for your home, you can turn to an independent insurance agent in our network for help. These local agents are able to gather customized Birmingham homeowners insurance quotes from a variety of highly-rated providers so that you can easily compare rates and find the best policy to meet your coverage and budgetary needs. Find an agent near you to learn more.
- National yearly premium average: $1,034
- Michigan yearly premium average: $802
- 37th most expensive premiums in the U.S.
Homeowners in Michigan pay lower-than-average rates for their home insurance coverage — and you can save even more by comparison shopping. Rates often vary from one provider to the next because insurance companies take a number of factors into consideration when they calculate the price for your Birmingham homeowners insurance costs. Your rate can be influenced by such things as these:
- The ZIP code in which your house is located
- The value and estimated rebuilding cost of your home
- The age of your home and the building materials used in its construction
- The home's use: primary residence, second home or vacation home
- The amount of contents coverage you wish to purchase
- The amount of your deductible
- The presence of a liability hazard, such as a swimming pool or a trampoline, on the property
- Your eligibility for any policy discounts due to coverage bundling or automatic electronic payments
Insurance companies all have a specific method for evaluating risk and assessing rates, so each provider from which you request a quote is likely to offer you coverage at a different price. When you compare at least three Birmingham homeowners insurance quotes before making a selection, you can save yourself money.
Second Home and Vacation Home Insurance
If you own a second home or a vacation home in addition to your primary residence in Birmingham, the property will have different coverage considerations to consider. For example, you may keep fewer belongings in a vacation home and need less in the way of contents coverage, but there may be more severe weather risks to contend with where it is located. Further, if you use your second home as an income vehicle by renting it out to tenants, you need to purchase a specialized landlord insurance policy in order for the house to be properly covered.
An agent can help you find the right coverage to meet the specific needs of your additional properties. Your agent may even be able to get you a discount on all your policies if you bundle them under the same carrier. Be sure to mention all your properties when you meet with a local agent.
Save on Home Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Number of Thefts in Michigan
- National number of burglaries: 37,814
- Michigan number of burglaries: 56,344
The burglary rate in Michigan is higher than the national average; but residents of Birmingham enjoy an extremely low crime rate. In recent years, there were only 26 burglaries reported in this city. That equates to about 1.26 burglaries for every 1,000 homes — well under the national rate of 6.11 in that year.
In the unlikely event that you discover that your house has been broken into, first ensure that you and your family are safe, and then call the police to report the crime. Be sure to keep a copy of the police report, as you will need it when you file a claim with your Birmingham home insurance company. Knowing that you will be compensated for your losses may ease some of the stress a property crime can bring.
Number of Catastrophes in Michigan
- Number of catastrophes in Michigan: 301
- Number of tornadoes in Michigan: 9
- Amount of property damage in Michigan: $1,880,370,000
- 1 in 15 insured homes has a claim each year
The risk of tornado activity in Birmingham is 36 percent greater than the national average. One of the worst to strike in this area was an F4 twister that touched down 5.9 miles from the Birmingham city center in 1976. It killed one, injured 55 and caused several million dollars’ worth of property damage.
Major catastrophes like tornadoes and fires can destroy your home and everything in it. This is why is it important that your Birmingham homeowners insurance include structure and contents coverage in amounts that will enable you to rebuild and start over in the wake of a total loss. Your local agent may recommend that you purchase special endorsements if you own any particularly valuable property, such as family heirlooms, fine art or a large amount of jewelry.
What Are the Risks in Birmingham, MI?
In addition to the risk of tornadoes, residents of Birmingham might see their property damaged by severe storms and floods. Powerful thunderstorms can be very damaging to roofs and siding. When they bring very heavy rains, the ground can become saturated, sewage systems can become overwhelmed and the Rouge River can overflow its banks. Flash flooding can then occur throughout the city.
While storm damage is covered by your Birmingham homeowners insurance, flood damage is not. The only way to protect yourself from the financial losses related to this catastrophe is by supplementing your home insurance policy with flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Your agent can help you obtain a policy.
Save on Home Insurance
Our independent agents shop around to find you the best coverage.
Compare Birmingham Home Insurance Quotes
The only way you can be certain that you are buying your Birmingham homeowners insurance policy at a reasonable price is by comparing costs and offerings from a few competing insurance companies. Because this can be a time-consuming and often frustrating task, many Michigan homeowners avoid it and then pay more than is necessary for their home coverage.
That is why it is advantageous to work with an independent agent in our network. A local agent will first take the time to learn your specific coverage requirements and will then make rate inquiries from a few reputable insurance companies on your behalf. That way, you can easily compare customized Birmingham home insurance policies and quotes with the help of an experienced insurance professional. With offices conveniently located in and near Birmingham, it is easy to find a local agent who can assist you.