Best Homeowners Insurance in Virginia (2023)
Whether you’re worried about flooding in Northern Virginia or Washington, D.C., or you want protection against hurricanes or tropical storms that could hit the coast of Virginia Beach, purchasing a homeowners insurance policy is the best way to get peace of mind that you’ll be able to rebuild your home and replace your belongings in the event of an unexpected disaster.
Determined to find the best home insurance companies in Virginia, the This Old House Reviews team spent dozens of hours researching and reviewing various brands on key metrics, such as coverage options, customer service, reputation, and affordability. We found the following three insurers to consistently offer the best policies and benefits to homeowners in the state.
3 Best Homeowners Insurance Providers in Virginia
Here are the top providers of homeowners insurance in Virginia:
- Lemonade: Easiest Sign-Up
- Allstate: Best Coverage Options
- State Farm: Best Endorsements
Lemonade: Easiest Sign-Up
- J.D. Power Rating: N/A
- AM Best Rating: NR
Lemonade scored an 83.5 out of 100, primarily losing points for its few years of experience and lower Better Business Bureau (BBB) rating, but we recommend it as a top home insurance company in Virginia for its impressive technological features. If you prioritize a smooth, hassle-free experience from sign-up to claims filing, Lemonade is a great company to consider. It features a mobile app with AI technology that can complete the claims process for you, make decisions on money owed, and finalize payouts through direct deposit.
Get a free quote from Lemonade by using this online quote tool to compare prices based on your personal details and property information.
Lemonade also stands out for the following reasons:
- Offers a 10% bundling discount when combining home insurance with a Lemonade pet insurance policy
- Has a giveback program that lets policyholders donate their unused premiums to the charity of their choice
- Has a coverage matching tool to help homeowners compare prices between home insurance companies
Lemonade Sample Pricing
| City (ZIP code) | Charlottesville (22901) | Alexandria (22306) | Virginia Beach (23453) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
House square footage |
1,800 |
1,750 |
1,550 |
|
Year built |
1960 |
1947 |
1986 |
|
Dwelling limit |
$300,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Personal property coverage |
$220,000 |
75% of dwelling |
$155,000 |
|
Liability coverage |
$100,000 |
$200,000 |
$100,000 |
|
All-peril deductible |
$1,000 |
$10,000* |
$10,000* |
|
Wind/hail deductible |
N/A |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Monthly premium |
$83.00 |
$53.91 |
$152.25 |
*$10,000 was the only deductible option available on our quotes for these houses
Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Lemonade Home Insurance Quotes
Learn More: Lemonade Home Insurance Review
*AM Best ratings accurate as of August 2023
Allstate: Best Coverage Options
With a score of 98.1 out of 100, Allstate performed extremely well in our review of home insurance carriers on customer service, reputation, overall coverage, and unique benefits. For its overall performance, we recommend it as the top insurance provider in Virginia, but we specifically found it to be a good fit for homeowners who want comprehensive coverage options, 24/7 customer service, and helpful online resources that explain coverage.
Get a custom quote on Allstate’s website to check prices based on your ZIP code, personal information, and property details.
Allstate also features the following benefits:
- Provides an early signing discount to homeowners who purchase a policy at least seven days before its effective date
- Offers a unique add-on for green improvements, which reimburses you for additional expenses on energy-efficient replacements after a covered peril
- Has the Claim RateGuard add-on to prevent your premium from increasing after filing a claim
Allstate Sample Pricing
| City (ZIP code) | Charlottesville (22901) | Alexandria (22306) | Virginia Beach (23453) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
House square footage |
1,800 |
1,750 |
1,550 |
|
Year built |
1960 |
1947 |
1986 |
|
Dwelling limit |
$300,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Personal property coverage |
60% of dwelling |
60% of dwelling |
60% of dwelling |
|
Liability coverage |
$100,000 |
$200,000 |
$100,000 |
|
All-peril deductible |
$3,000 |
$1,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Wind/hail deductible |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Tropical cyclone deductible |
$15,000 |
$12,500 |
$12,500 |
|
Monthly premium |
$130.00 |
$137.00 |
$200.00 |
Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: Allstate Home Insurance Quote
Learn More: Allstate Home Insurance Review
State Farm: Best Endorsements
State Farm scored a 96.6 out of 100 during our review. We recommend it to Virginia homeowners for its wide range of optional coverage add-ons. Each policy also includes a few extra coverages that many competitors don’t feature, such as firearms and fire department service charges. Additionally, you can add coverage for items like service lines, home systems, loss assessment for HOA charges, earthquakes, and water backup.
Your local State Farm agent can offer extra protection for home rental coverage, waterbed liability, vacant home coverage, rented personal property, and more.
State Farm also offers these benefits:
- Connects you to local agents in your area who can help with sign-up and policy management
- Features the 360Value online tool to help estimate your home’s value and walk you through coverage decisions
- Offers low prices for homeowners who bundle with their auto insurance policies
State Farm Sample Pricing
| City (ZIP code) | Charlottesville (22901) | Alexandria (22306) | Virginia Beach (23453) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
House square footage |
1,800 |
1,750 |
1,550 |
|
Year built |
1960 |
1947 |
1986 |
|
Dwelling limit |
$300,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Personal property coverage |
75% of dwelling |
75% of dwelling |
75% of dwelling |
|
Liability coverage |
$100,000 |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
|
All-peril deductible |
$3,000 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
|
Hurricane deductible |
N/A |
$2,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Monthly premium |
$101.16 |
$113.00 |
$137.25 |
Get Your Free Home Insurance Quote: call 1-360-262-2561
Learn More: State Farm Home Insurance Review
Our Conclusion
We recommend getting quotes from each of these top home insurance companies in Virginia and comparing prices based on your personal details and home information. Look to Allstate for the best overall coverage, policy options, and features, State Farm for unique endorsements, and Lemonade for an easy sign-up, policy management, and claims process.
You can also call 855-948-5219 or use the tool below to get connected with instant quotes from other providers in your area:
Compare Homeowners Insurance Companies in Virginia
| City (ZIP code) | Charlottesville (22901) | Alexandria (22306) | Virginia Beach (23453) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
House square footage |
1,800 |
1,750 |
1,550 |
|
Year built |
1960 |
1947 |
1986 |
|
Dwelling limit |
$300,000 |
$250,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Personal property coverage |
75% of dwelling |
75% of dwelling |
75% of dwelling |
|
Liability coverage |
$100,000 |
$300,000 |
$100,000 |
|
All-peril deductible |
$3,000 |
$2,000 |
$2,500 |
|
Hurricane deductible |
N/A |
$2,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Monthly premium |
$101.16 |
$113.00 |
$137.25 |
*Based on sample quotes we received on a 1,800-square-foot single-family house in Charlottesville, Virginia
**Figures pulled from the companies’ Better Business Bureau (BBB) profiles as of July 2022
Virginia Homeowners Insurance Coverage
A few standard coverage types come with each home insurance policy. Here’s a breakdown of each type and what they include:
- Dwelling—This coverage protects the structure of your home and pays for the costs to rebuild or repair it after a covered peril. Typically, the coverage limit for dwelling coverage is equal to the estimated value of your house. Each of the providers in this review has an online tool that helps you determine the value of your home and your dwelling coverage amount during the quote process.
- Other structures—This coverage is usually around 10% of your total dwelling limit. It’s designed to cover the costs of rebuilding or repairing extra structures or buildings on your property that aren’t a part of your home, such as a fence or storage shed.
- Personal property—This covers your personal belongings if they get stolen, damaged, or vandalized. You can typically customize the amount you need for this type of coverage, but many companies default coverage at around 75% of your dwelling limit. You can also choose between replacement cost coverage, which replaces your items for new ones, or actual cash value coverage, which offers money during a claim for the depreciated value of your items.
- Loss of use—If you’re ever displaced from your home after a covered event, such as a fire or natural disaster, you could accrue thousands of dollars in hotel fees or additional living expenses. Loss of use coverage is designed to pay for those expenses while your home is being repaired or rebuilt.
- Personal liability—This coverage is typically between $100,000 and $300,000, but State Farm and Lemonade both offer customizable options up to $1 million. Personal liability claims pay for legal fees or medical bills that arise when you’re responsible for an accident or injury to someone else on your property.
- Medical payments to others—If someone gets injured on your property and you’re not at fault, your insurer will pay their medical costs up to the policy limit. Policies usually come with $1,000–$5,000 for this coverage.
Factors To Consider Before Buying Homeowners Insurance
Before purchasing a home insurance policy, consider the following factors:
- Deductibles—A deductible is the amount of money you owe out of pocket during a claim before your insurer makes a payment. The higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premium will be. However, if you go with this option, you’ll owe more money out of pocket after a covered peril. Additionally, if you live near the Virginia coast, you may have a separate deductible for hurricanes or tropical storms. This deductible kicks in during a claim related to those perils.
- Discounts—Each of the providers in this review offers several discounts to help lower your home insurance rates. For example, if you have a fire alarm or home security system, you could see substantial savings from any of these three providers. You can also receive a discount for signing up for autopay with Allstate.
- Home value—Understanding your house’s estimated value is important to ensure you get the right amount of coverage. The last thing you want is to be undercovered when rebuilding your home after a damaging storm or fire. Although each company has a helpful cost estimation tool to help determine how much dwelling coverage you need, we recommend reaching out to a home appraiser to take a look at your property and give you the most accurate estimate.
- Additional coverage—Purchasing endorsements, also known as riders, floaters, or add-ons, is the best way to make your policy more comprehensive. For example, purchasing Lemonade’s swimming pool liability add-on is a smart move for homeowners with pools or spas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does home insurance in Virginia cost?
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), the average cost of homeowners insurance in Virginia in 2018 was $85.50, which is around $20 lower than the national average. However, based on the quotes we received for various houses in different cities throughout the state, monthly premiums in Virginia are closer to $100–$130 per month.
Keep in mind that exact prices depend on a number of factors, including your personal information, location, and home’s size, age, and building type. Because of this, we recommend getting quotes from a few providers in your area to compare plan pricing.
Do I need homeowners insurance in Virginia?
Home insurance isn’t legally required in Virginia, but if you have a mortgage, your lender may require you to have a certain amount of coverage to ensure your property is protected. Even if home insurance isn’t required by your lender, a policy can bring you peace of mind and ensure that you’ll be able to rebuild, repair, or replace your home and its contents after an unexpected disaster.
Does homeowners insurance cover floods?
Home insurance policies don’t cover floods or flood-related perils, but many providers offer a flood insurance policy as an endorsement or add-on. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) manages the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which sells policies and underwrites them for businesses, such as Allstate and State Farm. If flood insurance isn’t offered in your quote, check with your agent to discuss your coverage options.
Our Rating Methodology
The This Old House Reviews Team is committed to providing comprehensive and unbiased reviews to our readers. This means earning your trust through transparency and having the data to back up our ratings and recommendations.
With that in mind, we created an objective rating system to score each home insurance company. Here’s what that review process looked like:
- We analyze the information on each company’s website. This allows us to determine what products and services are offered by each home insurance provider.
- We get a sample quote from the companies by either talking to a sales representative or by using the online quote tool. This tells us what a policy looks like and costs.
- We test customer service by talking to a company representative, finding out their hours of operation, and determining what technological features are available for customers.
- We update all of this information on a continuous basis, storing it in a proprietary database that allows us to compare dozens of home insurance companies against each other.
With this data, we created a rating methodology to score each home insurance company. Our rating system is a weighted, 100-point scale based on the following factors:
- Coverage (30): We rated home insurance companies higher if they offered the six main types of homeowner protection—dwelling, other structures, personal property, loss of use, liability, and medical payments to others coverage.
- State availability (7.5): Companies scored higher if they covered more states than their competitors.
- Customer service (15): This factor is based on our communications with the company representatives, as well as the companies’ claims and quotes processes, availability throughout the week, and customer service information found on their websites.
- Technology (12.5): Technology can increase the efficiency of filing and tracking home insurance claims. Companies scored higher if they had technology options like mobile apps and online chat functions.
- Reputation (20): We gauged trustworthiness based on years of experience and Better Business Bureau ratings.
- Additional benefits (15): Companies that offered optional features, like discounts and endorsements, scored higher than competitors that didn’t.
The This Old House Reviews Team has a full-time researcher who collects and regularly updates data points from every company to help us compare them on key factors such as coverage, service, and dependability.
To share feedback or ask a question about this article, send a note to our Reviews Team at reviews@thisoldhousereviews.com.