Fact CheckedNerdy takeaways
Chubb is the top-rated insurer in Washington, D.C., offering the best coverage for high-value homes.
Amica provides the best digital tools.
State Farm offers the best value for D.C. homeowners.
Cincinnati Insurance draws the fewest consumer complaints.
USAA is our top pick for D.C.’s military families.
If you’re shopping for a policy, the best homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C., will depend on your home and your priorities. Below are a few companies to consider.
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.
The best home insurance in Washington, D.C.
Best coverage for high-value homes
Chubb
- Far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Perks to help you protect your home.
- Most consumers can't get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Why it’s worth a look: Chubb’s policies are designed for affluent homeowners. They include generous coverage for your home and belongings, with high limits available. For example, you may be able to get up to $100 million of personal liability coverage in case someone sues you.
Standout feature: Chubb policyholders may be eligible for the company’s HomeScan service. It uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
Best digital tools
Amica
- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Dividend policies can return a portion of your premiums.
- You can start a quote online but may have to finish the buying process by phone.
Why it’s worth a look: You can use Amica’s website to file and track claims, pay bills, and upload documents. The company also offers plenty of information about its policies, including FAQs. Live chat representatives are available seven days a week.
Standout feature: Amica’s Platinum Choice Home is a package of extra coverage for your house and belongings. It offers higher liability limits, plus broader insurance for valuable items like computers.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Best value
State Farm
- User-friendly website.
- Agents offer personalized service.
- Policies generally include extra coverage for your home’s structure.
- Below average for claim satisfaction in a recent J.D. Power study.
Why it’s worth a look: Of our top-rated companies in Washington, D.C., State Farm had some of the most affordable rates. Beyond its low prices, State Farm offers a variety of discounts to help you save even further. For example, the company says you may be able to save more than $1,000 a year by bundling home and auto insurance.
Standout feature: State Farm offers D.C. policyholders a free Ting device. This smart technology monitors your home's electrical system to help prevent fires.
Average rates: Below are the average annual rates for a range of dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$300,000 | $1,530 |
$400,000 | $1,755 |
$500,000 | $1,965 |
$600,000 | $2,165 |
$700,000 | $2,355 |
» READ MORE: State Farm homeowners insurance review
Fewest complaints
Cincinnati Insurance
- Various coverage options.
- Far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Coverage available for higher-value homes.
- No online quotes.
- Very little information on website.
Why it’s worth a look: Cincinnati Insurance had one of the lowest rates of consumer complaints among all the companies we review. This suggests that most of its policyholders are happy with their coverage.
Standout feature: The company values environmental sustainability and works out of a LEED-certified headquarters in Fairfield, Ohio. You may be able to add a “green upgrade” endorsement to your policy. This add-on will pay to repair or rebuild your home with eco-friendly materials after a claim.
Average rates: Not available.
» READ MORE: Cincinnati homeowners insurance review
Best for military families
USAA
- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Perks for military homeowners.
- Available only to active military members, veterans, some federal employees and their families.
Why it’s worth a look: USAA’s homeowners policies come with perks for the military community. For instance, the company doesn’t charge a deductible for damage to your military uniforms or equipment while you’re deployed. USAA policies are available to active military, veterans, some federal workers and their families.
Standout feature: USAA covers your personal belongings on a replacement cost basis. That means you’ll get enough money to buy brand-new replacements for damaged items. Many companies pay only what your items are worth at the time of the claim.
Average rates: Below are the average annual rates for a range of dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$300,000 | $1,000 |
$400,000 | $1,265 |
$500,000 | $1515 |
$600,000 | $1,750 |
$700,000 | $1,980 |
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other top home insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
These home insurance providers are also worth a look.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$2,395 | ||
Not available | ||
$2,030 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Washington, D.C.?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C., is $1,995 per year, or about $166 per month. That's 34% less expensive than the national average of $3,005 per year for the same amount of coverage.
These rates are based on a sample home insurance policy with $500,000 in dwelling coverage, $300,000 in liability coverage, a $1,000 deductible and no recent claims.
Did you know...
The dwelling coverage limit on your policy should be the amount it would take to rebuild your home, based on the cost of labor and construction in your area. It won't necessarily be the price you paid for the house or how much you could sell it for now. Use our calculator to estimate your home's rebuilding cost.
The median rebuilding cost for Washington, D.C., homes is $510,547, according to data from First Street, a climate risk modeling firm.
Below are the average rates for policies with various dwelling coverage limits.
Dwelling coverage amount | Average annual rate |
|---|---|
$300,000 | $1,315 |
$400,000 | $1,645 |
$500,000 | $1,995 |
$600,000 | $2,335 |
$700,000 | $2,700 |
The rates above are for homeowners with good credit. In Washington, D.C., policyholders with poor credit pay an average of $3,850 per year — nearly twice as much.
Common discounts
Make sure to ask your home insurance company about any discounts you may be eligible for. Here are some of the most common:
Many insurers offer savings if you buy more than one policy, such as home and car insurance. See our picks for the best home and auto insurance bundles.
Got a burglar alarm, smoke detectors or a smart device that alerts you if you have a leak? Safety and security features like these could earn you a discount.
Sign up for paperless billing or set your premiums to autopay, and you could get a discount.
Many insurance companies give discounts to customers who’ve gone a certain number of years without filing a home insurance claim.
Some insurers offer discounts to new policyholders or reward those who’ve stuck around for a while.
Teachers, doctors, members of the military and others may be eligible for discounts from certain insurers.
Learn more about common home insurance discounts.
Common home insurance problems in Washington, D.C.
The nation’s capital has a few common problems that you may want to consider when shopping for a homeowners policy.
Severe thunderstorms. D.C. often experiences extreme heat and humidity, which can bring thunderstorms rolling in. Homeowners insurance usually covers storm damage, including from wind and hail (but not flooding). However, your policy may have a separate deductible for these types of claims.
Winter weather. The district averages about 13 inches of snowfall per year, but some years might bring storms that dump double that amount. Homeowners insurance generally covers damage caused by winter storms, but you might need additional coverage for water damage caused by snowmelt.
Flooding. D.C. is situated on the Potomac River and can experience flooding frequently. In fact, the nation’s capital has flooded nearly every year since 2015. Home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, so consider buying flood insurance. You can get it any time, but be aware there’s often a 30-day waiting period before the coverage takes effect.
To check your flood risk, start with the federal government’s flood maps. However, these maps don’t always capture all types of flood risk. You may want to check another source such as First Street, a company that models climate hazards. Enter your address at the top of the page to see your home’s flood risk rating.
Common optional coverage
A standard homeowners policy can sometimes fall short, so it's worth looking for ways to make it more comprehensive. For example, we recommend asking if your insurer offers extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home. These add-ons give you extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than you expect to rebuild your home after a disaster. Having this coverage can be a useful hedge against inflation.
Here are a few additional types of coverage you may want to buy.
Floods are the most common weather disaster in the U.S. and can happen anywhere, not just coastal areas. You can buy flood insurance through the federal government or from private companies. Learn whether you need flood insurance.
Homeowners policies generally won’t cover damage if a drain backs up into your home or your sump pump fails. Adding water backup coverage can help with these issues.
Homeowners policies may cover your stuff on an actual cash value or replacement cost basis. With actual cash value, the policy will pay less for older items that have lost value over time. To get enough of a claim payout to buy brand-new items, opt for replacement cost coverage.
If you have expensive jewelry, fine art or other valuables, you may need extra insurance for them. Learn more about scheduled personal property coverage.
Service line coverage pays to fix damaged water, gas, sewer or other underground lines on your property.
If your HVAC system or another major appliance fails, equipment breakdown coverage can help pay for repairs.
Washington, D.C., FAIR Plan
If you’re unable to get homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C., the District of Columbia Property Insurance Facility might be able to help. This last-resort insurer is also known as a FAIR Plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements). It provides residential coverage, but vacant properties aren't eligible. An inspection may be required.
Coverage for homes is limited to $455,000, while belongings can be insured up to $227,000.
Unlike other FAIR Plans, D.C.’s program doesn’t require you to work with a broker or agent. Instead, you can apply directly for a policy if you meet the requirements.
District of Columbia Department of Insurance
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking oversees the city’s insurance industry. The department’s website offers various resources, including guides for homeowners insurance. The department can help if you have a dispute with your insurer. You can submit a complaint form online, by mail or via email. Questions? Call the department at 202-727-8000.
How we review home insurance
Our editorial team considers these factors when rating homeowners insurance companies:
This part of our star rating is based largely on consumer complaints to state regulators, as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. When available, we also include each company’s performance in the most recent J.D. Power Home Insurance Study. Other factors in our consumer experience score include customer-friendly features such as online claims filing and quotes.
We use AM Best and Demotech ratings to confirm each insurer’s long-term financial stability and ability to pay claims.
Companies score higher if they offer many common endorsements and include more comprehensive coverage in their standard plans. In particular, we look at features such as extended coverage for the structure of your home and replacement cost coverage for personal belongings.
We evaluate how many of the most common home insurance discounts each company offers.
See our complete homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Frequently asked questions
Homeowners insurance isn't required by law in Washington, D.C. However, your lender may require you to have it. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.
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.
NerdWallet writers are subject matter authorities who use primary, trustworthy sources to inform their work, including peer-reviewed studies, government websites, academic research and interviews with industry experts. All content is fact-checked for accuracy, timeliness and relevance. You can learn more about NerdWallet's high standards for journalism by reading our editorial guidelines.
- 1.National Weather Service. Washington D.C. Monthly Snowfall. Accessed Mar 18, 2026.
- 2.Ready DC. Flood. Accessed Mar 18, 2026.
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, coverage, discounts, claims process and website functionality. 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 or star ratings.
Here’s how we weighted each category to come up with our list of the best home insurance companies:
Consumer experience (40%).
Financial strength (30%).
Coverage (25%).
Discounts (5%).
Read our full home insurance ratings methodology for more details.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in ZIP codes across all 50 states and Washington, D.C. 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:
$500,000 in dwelling coverage.
$50,000 in other structures coverage.
$250,000 in personal property coverage.
$100,000 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.
In states where credit is a rating factor, we changed the credit tier from “good” to “poor,” as reported to the insurer, to see rates for homeowners with poor credit.
In select states, we added a single wind damage claim to see rates for homeowners with a claim on their record.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2022-2024. 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.
Rebuilding cost methodology
The median home rebuilding cost referenced above is based on 2025 replacement cost data from First Street, a climate risk modeling firm. Actual replacement costs may vary based on factors like location, square footage, construction materials, the age of your home and local labor costs.
