Find the Best Homeowners Insurance Rates and Companies in Virginia
The median home value in Virginia is $381,195. Whether your home value is higher or lower than average, if you own a home in Virginia you need a reliable homeowners insurance policy to protect your investment in your home. Homeowners insurance helps you recover your financial losses when your home or belongings are damaged or destroyed.
An independent insurance agent can help you find the best home insurance in Virginia. Independent agents can help you get quotes from multiple insurance companies so that you can make the best choice for your needs and budget.
Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Virginia
You can find homeowners insurance in Virginia from many highly rated insurance companies. The following are some of the best homeowners insurance companies in Virginia. These companies provide a mix of valuable coverage offerings, excellent customer service, and competitive pricing.
- Travelers: Travelers offers highly rated homeowners insurance in Virginia. It can meet your additional personal insurance needs with a full line of products including auto, boat, identity theft, umbrella, and other coverages.
- Nationwide: Nationwide provides homeowners insurance and other popular types of insurance coverage in Virginia. The company is headquartered in Columbus, OH, and is represented by independent insurance agents in 50 states, including Virginia.
- Safeco: Safeco has been protecting individuals and families since 1923. The company offers homeowners insurance in Virginia, as well as a comprehensive range of other personal insurance policies. Working through independent agents, Safeco makes it easy to get the best mix of coverage and pricing.
- Foremost Insurance Group: Founded in 1952, Foremost Insurance Group offers a selection of personal insurance policies including home and auto insurance. The company offers flexible payment plans, numerous discounts, and 24/7 customer service.
- Progressive: Progressive is based in Ohio, but offers homeowners insurance across all 50 states, including Virginia. Virginia residents can look to Progressive for most of their personal insurance needs.
An independent insurance agent in your area can help you learn more about these and other homeowners insurance companies in Virginia. A local agent can help you get competitive quotes for the coverage that fits your insurance needs.
What Can Homeowners Insurance in Virginia Cover?
Homeowners insurance in Virginia protects you from the costs of property damage caused by events like fires, storms, tornadoes, theft, and more. Your Virginia homeowners insurance policy should reimburse you for the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home and replacing damaged possessions.
Homeowners insurance also provides liability insurance, which covers you if you or a family member is sued for some type of negligence.
Virginia residents face property threats all the time, including certain natural disasters. Here are the top five property risks in the state:
- Severe storms and lightning
- Flooding and water damage
- Hurricanes and tropical storms
- Wildfires and residential fires
- Burglary and other property crimes
Homeowners insurance in Virginia typically covers much of the damage caused by natural disasters, including damage caused by wind, rain, hail, and fire. It also covers damage caused by burglaries and other types of property crimes.
But keep in mind that homeowners insurance in Virginia does not cover flood damage, including floods caused by torrential rains or even hurricanes and tropical storms. For flood coverage, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy.
A typical Virginia home insurance policy will contain several coverage categories that can help you after a natural disaster or another property damage event. These provide coverage for the inside and outside of your home according to your policy specifics. What’s more, your home insurance policy in Virginia covers expenses related to the temporary loss of use of your home after a covered event.
A homeowners insurance policy typically categorizes property coverage and coverage limits as follows.
- Dwelling coverage: Covers your house and attached structures. It also covers items like plumbing, heating, and permanently installed air-conditioning systems, and electrical wiring.
- Other structures coverage: Protects other structures on the property such as detached garages, tool sheds, retaining walls, and so on.
- Contents coverage: Protects the contents of your home and other personal belongings owned by you or family members who live with you.
- Loss of use coverage: Helps you with additional living expenses if your home is damaged by a covered peril (e.g., a fire) and you cannot live in your home while repairs are being made. It typically covers expenses like housing, meals, storage, and more, as long as they are in line with your usual living expenses.
Home insurance in Virginia also provides liability coverage for when you're faced with a lawsuit or negligence claim. This is essential protection for your assets. Personal liability coverage provides coverage if you or a resident of your household is responsible for causing property damage or an injury to someone else.
You can also customize your policy to cover other risks. You can add coverage for identity theft, sewer and water backup, scheduled personal property, business property, and more.
A local independent insurance agent can help you find homeowners insurance in Virginia.
What Won't Homeowners Insurance in Virginia Cover?
Homeowners insurance policies in Virginia do not cover every type of occurrence or natural disaster that you might encounter in the state.
Home insurance in Virginia does not cover flood damage. Since flooding can be a problem in some areas of Virginia, it’s important to understand the flood risk for your home and consider purchasing flood insurance.
In addition to excluding coverage for flood damage, the liability coverage in your homeowners insurance policy in Virginia will not protect you in all situations. If you hurt someone because of an intentional act, your liability coverage will not cover you. You can find all of the exclusions to your liability coverage in your policy documents.
And remember, whether you purchase a basic policy or a policy with more comprehensive coverage, almost all homeowners insurance policies in Virginia will exclude coverage for damage caused by the following:
- Ordinance or law (e.g., demolition or construction required to bring your house up to code)
- Earth movement (e.g., earthquakes, sinkholes, landslides)
- Water damage due to floods, sewer backups, and water that seeps through the foundation
- Power failure
- Neglect
- War
- Nuclear hazard
- Intentional acts
- Governmental action (e.g., destruction, confiscation, or seizure of covered property by any governmental or public authority)
- Loss to property resulting from faulty zoning, bad repair or workmanship, faulty construction materials, and defective maintenance.
Be sure to understand all of your policy's exclusions when purchasing your Virginia homeowners insurance.
Flood Damage in Virginia
Flooding can be a significant concern for many homeowners, but Virginia homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage.
Flooding is one of the top five risks for homeowners in Virginia. There are over 400,000 properties in Virginia that have a greater than 26% chance of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years. This means that 13% of all properties in the state have this level of flood risk.
Not every homeowner in Virginia will need flood insurance. It’s important to understand your flood risk and discuss your need for supplemental flood insurance with your independent insurance agent.
If necessary, your agent can help you purchase flood insurance from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), a program established by the federal government to help homeowners recover after a flood event
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Virginia
Virginia is ranked 34th in the nation for average home insurance rates. Homeowners in Virginia typically enjoy lower-than-average home insurance rates.
- National average yearly premium: $1,211
- Virginia's average yearly premium: $999
Everyone’s homeowners insurance costs are a little different because insurance costs are based on your individual home’s characteristics and the amount of coverage you need. That means that your home insurance premiums will be more or less than the average for your state.
Some of the individual risk factors used to calculate homeowners insurance rates include the type of home you are insuring; the age, size, and value of your home; and the materials used to construct your home.
Insurance companies also evaluate other risk factors, such as:
- Your claims history and credit score
- The crime rate and weather risks in your city or ZIP code
The amount of coverage you need and the deductibles you choose also impact your rates. Most insurance companies offer various home insurance discounts to help you save.
The best way to ensure you get the best price is to shop around. A local independent insurance agent can help you get home insurance quotes in Virginia.
Average Virginia Home Insurance Costs by City
Homeowners insurance costs vary from city to city just like they vary from home to home and state to state. If you live in a city with a high crime rate or a history of natural disasters, you're likely to pay more for homeowners insurance than someone who lives in a very safe city. Residents of larger cities often pay more than those who live in rural areas.
Residents of Newport News, VA, pay some of the highest rates for homeowners insurance ($1,401 per year, on average) in the state. Meanwhile, residents of Lynchburg, VA, pay only $837 per year, on average, for home insurance.
Average Virginia Home Insurance Costs by City
National average burglary rate 3.76 per 1,000 people
National average home value $269,000
National average home insurance cost $1,428 year
| City | Avg. home value | Burglaries / 1,000 Residents | Annual insurance cost |
| Alexandria | $916,557 | 0.80 | $841 |
| Arlington | $924,923 | 0.55 | $889 |
| Centreville | $753,468 | 3.76 | $926 |
| Chesapeake | $303,095 | 2.46 | $1,372 |
| Dale City | $287,009 | 1.96 | $974 |
| Hampton | $236,335 | 1.72 | $1,258 |
| Lynchburg | $203,896 | 2.06 | $837 |
| Newport News | $247,649 | 2.76 | $1,401 |
| Norfolk | $247,143 | 3.23 | $1,432 |
| Portsmouth | $224,490 | 3.91 | $1,384 |
| Reston | $748,311 | 3.76 | $931 |
| Richmond | $311,291 | 4.87 | $1,201 |
| Roanoke | $169,750 | 4.88 | $862 |
| Suffolk | $344,335 | 3.26 | $1,301 |
| Virginia Beach | $365,246 | 1.30 | $1,267 |
Popular Questions about Virginia Home Insurance
The national average homeowners insurance premium is $1,211. Virginia is ranked 34th in the nation for home insurance rates. With an average annual premium of $999, homeowners in Virginia will pay more or less than average depending on the specific risk factors for their home and neighborhood.
The main purpose of homeowners insurance is to cover property damage. Home insurance policies in Virginia will include dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, contents coverage, and loss of use/additional living expenses coverage. These help you with the costs related to property damage after a covered event.
Homeowners insurance in Virginia also includes homeowners liability coverage. It protects you when someone claims you have caused an injury or property damage. It covers the injured party's expenses (e.g., medical bills, property repairs) and your legal fees if you're sued. After a lawsuit, it can even cover financial settlements or court-ordered judgments.
The state of Virginia does not have any requirements to purchase homeowners insurance. But it’s important to understand that your mortgage lender will require you to have homeowners insurance and will require proof that you have it. With over $1.2 billion in home insurance claims paid in Virginia in one year alone, proper home insurance protection is necessary to avoid a major loss.
Insurance companies calculate your insurance rates in Virginia by looking at your home, the risk factors for your neighborhood, and your specific coverage needs.
If you live in a ZIP code with a high crime rate or one that is highly susceptible to natural disasters, you can expect to pay more than someone living in a safer area. In addition, owners of more valuable homes that are more expensive to repair or rebuild will pay more for home insurance than someone who owns a home with a lesser value.
You have a lot of options for your homeowners insurance policy in Virginia.
The best homeowners insurance companies in Virginia are Safeco, Progressive, Nationwide, Travelers, and Foremost Insurance Group. These companies are highly rated for their mix of valuable coverage offerings and competitive pricing.
Yes. There are currently 463 independent insurance agencies who can help you find appropriate home insurance coverage in Virginia. They can offer quotes from multiple insurance companies, free of charge.
You are not required to have homeowners insurance in Virginia, but youre likely to be required by your mortgage lender to have it. What’s more, homeowners insurance is the best way to protect yourself from the financial fallout of unexpected property damage and lawsuits.
Searching for the best and most affordable homeowners insurance in Virginia can be frustrating and confusing. That’s why it pays to have an experienced insurance professional in your corner.
Instead of getting an online quote, find an independent insurance agent in Virginia now, and get one-on-one consultation and affordable options for the best coverage for your unique needs. Your agent will work with you free of charge, offering you a variety of options so you can make the best choice.
Contact an agent today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
Do You Know What Your Home Insurance Covers in Virginia?
Average Cost of Home Insurance Near You
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Arlington is $74.
One of the main reasons for the low average cost of homeowners insurance in Arlington is that a majority of homes in this city are condos or townhouses, which are less expensive to buy coverage for. This is because structural (or dwelling) coverage is handled by the homeowners association’s (HOA's) master insurance policy. Additionally, most of the single-family houses in this city are on the smaller side and generally need less in the way of contents coverage than a larger house would.
Homeowners in Arlington have a significant risk of damage caused by severe storms. These storms can often bring damaging winds and lightning to the area. Fortunately, storm damage is covered by your homeowners insurance. However, if torrential rains cause flash flooding, the resultant flood damage is not covered. For this, you will need a supplemental flood insurance policy.
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Chesapeake is $114.
Your homeowners insurance is completely customized to details about your house and other considerations like weather risks, your claims history, and your deductible amount. Because of this, your monthly premium may be higher or lower than this city average. The best way to make sure you are paying a reasonable price for your coverage is to compare rates from a few competing insurance companies.
One of the most devastating things a homeowner can experience is a residential fire. In addition to severely damaging your house, a fire can lead to a total loss of your personal belongings, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and irreplaceable precious items. You may take solace in knowing that your homeowners insurance has you covered. This insurance cannot bring back your irreplaceable items like photographs and original artwork, but it can give you peace of mind in knowing you can afford to rebuild and replace damaged property, as necessary.
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Norfolk is $119.
Of course, what you may actually be expected to pay is likely to differ from this average amount. Your rates will be calculated according to factors like the size of your home, the crime rate and weather risks in your ZIP code, the age of your roof, your credit rating, the amount of your deductible, and more.
Hailstorms can be a problem in Norfolk, especially during the peak months of May and June. In May 1997, this city experienced a major hailstorm that caused approximately $10 million in damage. Large hailstones can damage your roof, gutters, siding, windows, and peripheral structures. Fortunately, when you have a solid homeowners insurance policy, you can rest assured that your hail-damaged home can be returned to normal without needing to face a large personal expense.
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Richmond is $100.
Your house is probably not the same as your neighbor’s. While everyone in your neighborhood faces the same crime and weather risks, there are many more variables that go into calculating home insurance rates. Your premium will also be based on factors like the size and value of your home, the age of your roof, your claims history, and the size of your deductible. Your monthly rate for Richmond homeowners insurance may therefore be higher or lower than this average.
Richmond has a high crime rate when compared with the rest of the state. Residents of this city report about 1,000 burglaries every year. It is therefore important that you take precautions, like putting lights on timers when you are away, to help secure your home. If you have a burglar alarm installed in your house, you may even qualify for a discount on your home insurance premiums. If your home is broken into and your valuables are stolen, your Richmond homeowners insurance can cover your losses.
The average monthly cost of home insurance in Virginia Beach is $106.
Homeowners insurance rates in can vary significantly from one homeowner to the next. Your actual rate will be based on factors like the size, value, and location of your home, the age of your roof, the materials used in your home’s construction, and even your credit score.
One of the most expensive hazards faced by homeowners in Virginia Beach is severe storm damage. When hurricanes and tropical storms make landfall along the Eastern Seaboard, they can bring heavy rains and damaging winds to the area. If your house sustains significant damage, such as if a tree is uprooted and damages a structural wall, your homeowners insurance can help you rebuild or repair your home and replace damaged belongings. This insurance can even help you pay for a hotel if you are temporarily displaced while your home is being repaired.
https://www.neighborhoodscout.com/va/real-estate
https://riskfactor.com/state/virginia/51_fsid/flood