The Best Homeowners Insurance in New Hampshire for 2023 – NerdWallet

The average cost of homeowners insurance in New Hampshire is $865 per year, or about $72 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s less than the national average of $1,820 per year.

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.

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.

As America’s largest insurer, State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.

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.

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.

Rhode Island-based Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn significantly fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).

You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.

We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.

The Hanover gives homeowners a lot of choices. You can opt for an auto/home package, a policy designed for high-value homes or a standalone policy for a standard house. You can further customize your policy with a range of coverage options for things like guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which will pay as much as it takes to rebuild your home after a disaster.

The Hanover sells policies exclusively through local independent agents. That means online quotes aren’t available, but you can get personal service to help you choose the right coverage.

USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active-duty military members and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.

Homeowners in New Hampshire can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart-home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.

The average annual cost of home insurance in New Hampshire is $865. That’s 52% less than the national average of $1,820.

In most states, including New Hampshire, 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 New Hampshire, those with poor credit pay an average of $1,500 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 73% more than those with good credit.

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in New Hampshire depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Manchester is $865 per year, while homeowners in Nashua pay $825 per year, on average.

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the New Hampshire average of $865.

If you’re looking for the best home insurance in New Hampshire, you’ll need to consider the possibility of seasonal severe storms and flooding as well as less frequent risks like earthquakes.

Flooding is a risk all homeowners need to consider, including those who live in New Hampshire. A 2020 study found twice as many New Hampshire homeowners are at risk for flooding as shown on the federal flood maps.

Because standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover flooding, homeowners will need to buy separate flood insurance to cover flood damage.

To learn more about your home’s risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to buy flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can buy 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.

New Hampshire sees harsh winter weather, including heavy snowfall, ice storms and freezing temperatures. This can cause significant damage, such as roof collapses, burst pipes and water seepage from ice dams.

Homeowners insurance typically covers most winter-related damage, but it’s essential to review your policy and understand any specific limitations or exclusions related to winter storm-related incidents. For example, flood damage caused by snowmelt may require a flood insurance policy.

The New Hampshire Insurance Department is responsible for overseeing the state’s insurance industry. In addition to providing consumer resources and helpful information on insurance, the department also handles consumer complaints against insurers.

You can file a complaint using the department’s online form or by mail. If you have additional questions, contact the Consumer Services staff at 800-852-3416 or by email at [email protected].

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.