The 4 Best Washington Homeowners Insurance Companies - Washington life tips

The state of Washington claims five of the eight U.S. cities with the lowest risk of natural disasters, according to the New York Times (though the area isn’t immune to the threat of earthquakes or even volcanic eruptions). The Evergreen State’s temperate Pacific-Northwest climate is also accompanied by attractively low homeowners insurance rates. Washington state’s average annual premium for 2014 was just $648 — significantly below the national average of $1,034.

The state’s rainy reputation, however, does cause some concern for flooding, and most insurance companies do not provide flood protection in their standard policy. In order to avoid overpaying in the event of a disaster, make sure to shop around for the cheapest policy with the widest coverage and affordable add-on protection services available.

We’ve outlined our top Washington homeowners insurance provider picks and included a quote tool so you can get started comparing prices and policies and being one step closer to ensuring your home.

State Farm

Insuring your home with State Farm gets you quality property insurance coverage that protects nearly every type of standard dwelling from the elements and theft. Policies are easily customizable with add-on protection available to insure your personal belongings as well as your home business, farm or ranch, and condo. If your community in Washington participates in the National Flood Insurance Program (NCIP), you can also purchase flood protection through your State Farm policy, with variable rates depending on the risk in your area.

State Farm offers unique resources that add convenience and care to your homeowners policy. State Farm has articles and videos that can help you navigate through an array of decisions like selecting levels of coverage, installing home monitoring systems, and making home efficiency improvements. Should you experience a loss, their Premier Service and Contractor Locator Service can put you directly in contact with local contractors in your area that can assist with repair and replacement of your property after a covered loss.

State Farm is also backed by one of the largest claims networks in the world, so you can feel confident with the service you will receive in the event of an emergency. Simply file a claim online, over the phone using their 24-hour claims line, or in person with a State Farm agent, and you can expect immediate and personalized attention that keeps you informed each step of the way.

Nationwide

Nationwide offers Washington residents affordable coverage options and prompt claims management. A standard Nationwide homeowners insurance policy protects against any damage made to your home or additional structures on your property (i.e. a garage) as well as your personal belongings. You can supplement this coverage with one of their many comprehensive add-on coverage options, including Brand New Belongings coverage, which will pay to replace any destroyed property with a brand-new version in the event of a disaster.

Nationwide has solid discount options available for customers — you can receive 30% off for residing in a new or recently renovated home, 20% off for bundling policies, 15% off for installing protective devices, 15% off if you’re over the age of 60, and even 5% off just for being married. Nationwide also offers every policyholder a free On Your Side review with an agent that can help you learn how to manage your deductible and make sure you fully understand your policy, benefits, and the level of coverage you have opted for.

Liberty Mutual

Liberty Mutual is a go-to option if you’re looking for a policy that can be tailored to meet your budget needs. The company offers more discount options than many of its competitors. Customers can receive price breaks on their policy for belonging to one of Liberty Mutual’s 14,000 affiliate associations, being owners of newer or recently renovated homes, outfitting their homes with protective devices, or requesting a quote with Liberty Mutual before their current homeowners insurance policy expires.

Standard coverage from Liberty Mutual protects your home and personal property, and provides you with additional living expenses in the event that your home is not up to your standard of living after an emergency. Add-on options include personal liability insurance, extra coverage for valuables, and Liberty Mutual’s Home Protector Plus service, which allows expanded coverage for unforeseen costs when rebuilding your home.

In the unfortunate event that you must file a claim, you can contact Liberty Mutual’s 24/7 claims hotline, meet with a representative, go online, or use their mobile app to get connected and start the process. The company also provides 24-hour emergency repair services 365 days a year. Liberty Mutual’s Contractor Network Referral Program connects you with a contractor so you can get the immediate assistance necessary to make your home safe.

Farmers Insurance

If you own a newer Washington home, Farmer’s Insurance provides discount options tailored to save you money on a comprehensive policy for your property. Farmers offers discounts for homes that are equipped with protective devices and certified “green” eco-friendly features, homes with exclusively non-smoking residents, and those with recently replaced roofs and updates to major systems like plumbing or electrical.

In addition to great discount options, Farmers also offers some of the strongest claims tools in the industry for homeowners. You can file a claim over the phone with a representative, in person with a local agent, online, or using the Farmers iClaim mobile app. Once your claim is received, it’s assigned to a claims professional to assess. Unlike some other providers, Farmers allows you to stay on top of your claim by monitoring the daily process of the process until settlement using their online Claims Tracker tool.

Another notable feature to take advantage of from Farmers is their Inner Circle online resource center. Inner Circle’s Home Tool Kit offers checklists, articles, tips, and all kinds of information for homeowners including maintenance, disaster prevention, renovation, and even nuanced subjects like baby-proofing your home.