In short
The latest state-level premium data the Treasury’s Federal Insurance Office (FIO) published covers 2018 to 2022. In 2022 the median premium per homeowners policy was $1,551 across the US, from $1,015 in Pennsylvania to $3,211 in Florida (FIO, NAIC data, as processed by Payotte; Payotte’s table says FAIR plans are excluded). Standard policies do not cover flood: the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) covers a building up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000 (FloodSmart.gov, FEMA).
How to read the premium figures
These figures come from the FIO’s published ZIP Code metrics, which are built on insurer data collected by the NAIC. They cover the main HO-3 and HO-5 policy forms. For each state, Payotte takes the median across ZIP Codes of the average premium per policy. ZIP Codes are not weighted by number of policies, because the file does not give it. Three limits matter:
- Old data. 2022 is the latest year in the file, so today’s premiums are likely different.
- FAIR plans and surplus lines are missing. In places where many owners moved to a state-backed plan, the median can look low or even fall, as it did in Florida (down 12.5% from 2018). Read it as a comparison between places, not as a quote.
- Averages mix everything. Home value, rebuilding cost, deductible and claims history differ from one policy to the next.
Highest premiums, 2022
| State | Median premium, 2022 | 2018 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | $3,211 | $3,845 | -12.5% |
| Colorado | $2,538 | $2,100 | +20.9% |
| Oklahoma | $2,525 | $2,424 | +4.0% |
| Louisiana | $2,438 | $2,307 | +6.6% |
| Nebraska | $2,434 | $2,190 | +13.8% |
| Kansas | $2,289 | $2,175 | +5.2% |
| Texas | $2,249 | $2,196 | +3.1% |
| Hawaii | $2,136 | $1,956 | +11.1% |
| Rhode Island | $2,001 | $1,928 | +6.2% |
| Missouri | $1,989 | $1,813 | +10.0% |
Lowest premiums, 2022
| State | Median premium, 2022 | Change since 2018 |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | $1,015 | +2.6% |
| Utah | $1,041 | +18.2% |
| Nevada | $1,077 | +7.0% |
| Delaware | $1,125 | +8.2% |
| West Virginia | $1,143 | -3.8% |
| Maine | $1,149 | +5.0% |
| Oregon | $1,153 | +13.8% |
| Michigan | $1,171 | -0.4% |
The national median rose 5.7% over the same period, from $1,445 to $1,551. The fastest increases among the states in the first table were in Colorado (+20.9%) and Nebraska (+13.8%).
Why the risk differs
The main hazards vary by state, and Payotte’s natural hazards pages list them from state insurance departments and FEMA. Flood is named among the main hazards in at least 12 state entries, the most common, followed by earthquake and wildfire (6 each). Examples:
- Florida. Hurricane wind, flood and storm surge. A policy must offer hurricane deductibles of 2%, 5% and 10% of the dwelling limit, and Citizens Property Insurance Corporation is the insurer of last resort.
- Texas. Tornado, hail and flood. On the coast, windstorm cover often comes as a separate policy, frequently from TWIA, in 14 coastal counties plus part of Harris County.
- California. A standard policy does not cover earthquake; insurers must offer it. The FAIR Plan sells limited fire cover up to $3 million for residential policyholders.
- Colorado. The FAIR Plan, created in 2023, limits residential cover to $750,000, pays actual cash value and requires three declinations from standard insurers.
- Louisiana. A standard policy does not cover flood; Louisiana Citizens runs the Coastal Plan and the FAIR Plan.
Flood: the separate policy
FEMA’s FloodSmart site says most homeowners and renters insurance does not cover flood damage. An NFIP policy covers a building up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000, lasts one year, and has a 30-day grace period after it expires (FloodSmart.gov, read October 20, 2026). A homeowner in a participating NFIP community is eligible, including condo and townhouse owners. If your lender is federally regulated and your home is in a high-risk zone, flood coverage is required: see the flood insurance guide. Price depends on the property, so ask for a quote at floodsmart.gov.
Using this when you buy
- Get an insurance quote before you make an offer, using the home’s address.
- Ask what your policy excludes: flood, earthquake, wind in coastal counties.
- Ask whether the premium goes into your escrow account.
- Budget for it with the cost of buying a home and the mortgage calculator.
Where to look next
State-level and county-level premiums and nonrenewal rates are at home insurance costs. For each state’s hazards, insurer of last resort and flood rules, use /usa/{state}/natural-hazards-insurance, for example Florida, California or Texas. For policy basics, read homeowners insurance.
Frequently asked questions
Which state has the most expensive homeowners insurance?
Florida, at a median premium of $3,211 in 2022 in the Treasury FIO data. Colorado and Oklahoma follow at $2,538 and $2,525.
Which state has the cheapest?
Pennsylvania, at $1,015 in 2022. Utah is next at $1,041.
Does homeowners insurance cover flood?
Generally no. FEMA’s FloodSmart says most homeowners policies exclude flood damage. NFIP policies cover a building up to $250,000 and contents up to $100,000.
Are these premiums current?
No. The latest year in the Treasury file is 2022, so use them to compare states and not as a quote.
What if no insurer will cover me?
Some states run a state-backed insurer of last resort, such as the California FAIR Plan, Citizens in Florida and Louisiana, and TWIA for the Texas coast. Each state page lists the one in your state.
General information drawn from the official sources cited and dated on this page. It is not legal, tax or financial advice: for your own situation, ask a licensed professional.
More owning guides
Sources
- Supporting Underlying Metrics for Analyses of U.S. Homeowners Insurance Markets, 2018-2022 (U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Insurance Office) (consulted October 14, 2026)
- What you need to know about buying flood insurance (FloodSmart.gov, FEMA National Flood Insurance Program) (consulted October 20, 2026)
- California FAIR Plan (California Department of Insurance) (consulted October 14, 2026)
- Coverage & Eligibility (Texas Windstorm Insurance Association) (consulted October 14, 2026)
- Louisiana R.S. 22:2295, Coastal Plan and FAIR Plan (Louisiana State Legislature) (consulted October 14, 2026)
- House Bill 23-1288, Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Act (Colorado General Assembly) (consulted October 14, 2026)