The Best Home Insurance in Vermont for 2023

We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Vermont.
Sarah Schlichter
Kayda Norman
By Kayda Norman and  Sarah Schlichter 
Published
Edited by Caitlin Constantine

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The average cost of homeowners insurance in Vermont is $815 per year, or about $68 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s less than the national average of $1,820 per year.

We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Vermont.

Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state. Even if an insurer serves your state, it may not write policies for all homes in all areas.

Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.

We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.

Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.

The best homeowners insurance in Vermont

If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the best homeowners insurance companies.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$725

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

Not available

Vermont Mutual

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$480

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$780

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

More about the best home insurance companies in Vermont

See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.

insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

State Farm

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.

Coverage options

More than average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Fewer than expected

America’s largest home insurer celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. One useful endorsement you may be able to add to a State Farm policy is an inflation guard rider, which automatically increases your policy limits to make sure your coverage doesn’t fall short.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.


insurance-product-card-logo

Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Chubb

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Great set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Chubb caters to high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.

Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.


insurance-product-card-logo

Vermont Mutual

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Regional insurer since 1828, selling homeowners insurance in the Northeast through independent agents.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Very few discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

Vermont Mutual

4.5

NerdWallet rating 
Regional insurer since 1828, selling homeowners insurance in the Northeast through independent agents.

Coverage options

About average

Discounts

Very few discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

Founded in 1828, Vermont Mutual sells homeowners insurance through local independent agents. The company stands out for service, drawing far fewer complaints than expected for an insurer of its size.

You may be able to add coverage for major appliances such as water heaters, laundry machines or solar energy systems. Other endorsements may be available to cover identity theft, damage to underground service lines, backed-up drains and theft of expensive jewelry.


insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected
insurance-product-card-logo

USAA

5.0

NerdWallet rating 
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.

Coverage options

Below average

Discounts

Average set of discounts

NAIC complaints

Far fewer than expected

USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military members and their families. If that description fits you, you may want to consider a USAA policy. That’s because the company’s homeowners insurance has certain features that other insurers may charge extra for.

For example, USAA automatically covers your personal belongings on a “replacement cost” basis. Many companies pay out only what your items are worth at the time of the claim, which means you may not get much for older items. USAA pays enough for you to buy brand-new replacements for your stuff.


How much does homeowners insurance cost in Vermont?

The average annual cost of home insurance in Vermont is $815. That’s 55% less than the national average of $1,820.

In most U.S. states, including Vermont, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Vermont, those with poor credit pay an average of $1,705 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 109% more than those with good credit.

Average cost of homeowners insurance in Vermont by city

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Vermont depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Burlington is $780 per year, while homeowners in Montpelier pay $815 per year, on average.

City

Average annual rate

Average monthly rate

Barre

$810

$68

Bennington

$835

$70

Brattleboro

$825

$69

Burlington

$780

$65

Colchester

$770

$64

Essex Junction

$780

$65

Middlebury

$815

$68

Milton

$790

$66

Montpelier

$815

$68

Rutland

$825

$69

South Burlington

$765

$64

Springfield

$825

$69

St. Albans

$815

$68

St. Johnsbury

$800

$67

Williston

$765

$64

The cheapest home insurance in Vermont

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Vermont average of $815.

Company

NerdWallet star rating

Average annual rate

Vermont Mutual

4.5

NerdWallet rating 

$480

Concord Group

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$515

4.0

NerdWallet rating 

$565

Union Mutual

Not rated

$705

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$725

5.0

NerdWallet rating 

$780

*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.

What to know about Vermont homeowners insurance

Vermonters looking for the best homeowners insurance should make sure their policy covers damage from risks like winter weather, flooding, wind and hail, landslides and wildfire.

Winter weather

Vermont’s winters bring heavy snow and freezing temperatures, as well as nor’easters. This can lead to roof damage, frozen pipes, ice dams and other issues that might result in costly repairs.

Homeowners insurance generally covers winter storm-related damages, but some types of winter weather damage may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt.

Flooding

Vermont sees flooding from heavy rain and snowmelt, and the damage can be widespread. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance.

To find out your risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps and RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Wind and hail damage

Severe thunderstorms are responsible for a lot of property damage in Vermont, in large part due to hail and wind. Large hail can damage roofs, windows and siding, and wind can also cause a lot of destruction.

Damage from wind and hail is typically covered under standard homeowners insurance policies. However, your policy may have a separate wind/hail deductible, typically from 1% to 5%. If your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage and a 1% deductible for wind claims, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.

Landslides

Vermont’s hilly terrain and heavy rainfall can lead to landslides, which pose a risk for homeowners. Landslides are not covered under standard homeowners insurance, so you’ll likely need to buy an optional add-on for your policy in order to be covered.

Wildfires

The tree-covered landscape of Vermont raises the risk of wildfire, especially during the spring and fall. Wildfires can spread quickly due to dry conditions and can cause significant damage to homes and property.

Standard homeowners insurance typically covers damage caused by fire, but residents of high-risk areas should read their policies closely to ensure they understand any exclusions. Pay particular attention to the dwelling coverage limit, which is how much the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. Check with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.

Vermont insurance department

The Insurance Division of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation oversees the state’s insurance industry. It is responsible for licensing insurers and regulating insurance products to help protect consumers.

In addition to providing consumer information, the division helps consumers who need to file complaints about their insurers online, by mail or fax. If you have questions about filing an insurance complaint, contact the division at 800-964-1784 or [email protected].

Looking for more insurance? Check out the cheapest car insurance in Vermont.

Frequently asked questions

Homeowners insurance is not required by Vermont state law. However, your lender may require you to purchase homeowners insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?

Flooding is not covered under standard Vermont homeowners insurance. You’ll want to purchase a separate flood insurance policy if you live in a high-risk area.

There are several ways to save money on home insurance in Vermont:

  • Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.

  • Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.

  • Bundle your home and auto insurance for a lower overall rate. See the best home and auto insurance bundles.

  • Ask your insurer if you qualify for any home insurance discounts.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.

Methodology

NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.

Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:

  • $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

  • $30,000 in other structures coverage.

  • $150,000 in personal property coverage.

  • $60,000 in loss of use coverage.

  • $300,000 in liability coverage.

  • $1,000 in medical payments coverage.

We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.

We changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.

These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.

Star rating methodology

NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.

Complaint methodology

NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare with one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.

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