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More than 270 million rates analyzed by our team of specialists.
More than 50 insurance companies analyzed in all 50 states and Washington D.C. (See our top picks.)
Erie and Chubb are among the best home insurance companies in Washington, D.C., according to our analysis.
We analyzed data from more than 30 insurance companies to help you find the best home insurance in Washington, D.C. Below are the insurers that earned 5 stars in our analysis.
Rates are based on a sample homeowner with good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
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.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
Not available | ||
Not available | ||
Not available | ||
USAA* | $925 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
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Answer a few questions to see custom quotes and find the right policy for you.The best home insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Here's more information about the best homeowners insurance companies in Washington, D.C.
Amica
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.- High customer satisfaction ratings and low consumer complaints.
- Platinum Choice package offers extra coverage.
- Simple online claims filing and tracking.
- You can start a quote online but have to finish the buying process by phone.
Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn far fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
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.
» READ MORE: Amica homeowners insurance review
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.- Significantly fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- Standard coverage includes features that many companies offer only as extras.
- Large number of potential discounts.
- Most consumers aren't able to get a quote online and will instead need to contact a local agent.
Chubb generally serves affluent policyholders with high-value homes, offering lofty coverage limits and plenty of perks. For example, the company covers water damage from backed-up sewers and drains, and pays to bring your home up to the latest building codes during reconstruction after a claim. (Many insurers charge more for these types of coverage.)
If you insure a secondary or seasonal home in Washington, D.C. with Chubb, you can sign up for the company’s Property Manager service at no charge. With this service, a Chubb representative will inspect your home after a hurricane, report its condition to you, submit a claim on your behalf and help prevent further damage.
» READ MORE: Chubb homeowners insurance review
Erie
Best for homeowners who want to work with an agent.- Policies may include guaranteed replacement cost coverage.
- Receives far fewer complaints than expected for a company of its size.
- No online quotes.
Erie offers guaranteed replacement cost coverage for the structure of your home. With this coverage, the company will pay to rebuild your home completely after a disaster, even if the amount exceeds your dwelling limit.
Got a car to insure, too? If you bundle your home and auto insurance with Erie, you could get a discount of 16% or more. You may also be able to save if your home has certain safety and security features such as smoke alarms or sprinkler systems.
» READ MORE: Erie homeowners insurance review
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.- Policies include standard coverage that often costs extra elsewhere.
- Far fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
- Rates are below the national average, according to NerdWallet’s analysis.
- Available only to active military members, veterans and their families.
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.
» READ MORE: USAA homeowners insurance review
Other home insurance companies to consider
Looking for more of the best homeowners insurance companies in Washington, D.C.? These insurers received a NerdWallet star rating of 4.5:
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,490 | ||
Not available | ||
Not available | ||
$1,435 | ||
$1,155 |
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Washington, D.C.?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Washington, D.C., is $1,295. That’s 39% less than the national average of $2,110.
In most of the U.S., including Washington, D.C., 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 Washington, D.C., those with poor credit pay an average of $2,410 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 86% more than what those with good credit pay.
The cheapest home insurance in Washington, D.C.
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Washington, D.C., average of $1,295.
Company | NerdWallet star rating | Average annual rate |
|---|---|---|
$1,155 | ||
USAA* | $925 | |
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families. | ||
Common risks for Washington, D.C., homeowners
Here are a few of the most common risks you may face as a homeowner in Washington, D.C., along with steps you can take to insure your home against them.
Flooding
Standard home insurance doesn’t cover flood damage, so at-risk homeowners should look into separate flood insurance. Remember that while you can buy flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect.
Not sure if you’re at risk for flooding? You can look up your address on the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps. However, FEMA’s maps don’t always capture all types of flood risk, so you may also want to check the website of the nonprofit First Street Foundation, which models climate risks. Enter your address in the top left corner to see your home’s flood risk rating on a scale of 1 to 10.
Winter weather
Homeowners insurance generally covers winter storm damage, but some scenarios may require extra coverage. For instance, you’ll typically need a separate flood insurance policy to cover flood damage caused by snowmelt. Insurers may refuse to pay for damage caused by frozen pipes if you neglected to keep your home at an adequate temperature, even when you were out of town.
Washington, D.C., insurance department
The District of Columbia Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking oversees the district’s insurance industry. In addition to providing information about homeowners insurance, the department can help if you have a dispute with your insurer. You can submit a complaint form online, by mail or fax, or by delivering it directly to the office. Call the department with questions at 202-727-8000.
- Looking for more insurance in Washington, D.C.?
- Find home insurance in other states
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Washington, D.C.?
Is homeowners insurance required in Washington, D.C.?
Homeowners insurance isn't required by law in Washington, D.C. However, your lender may require you to purchase home insurance. For more information, read Is Homeowners Insurance Required?
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.?
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in Washington, D.C.?
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.
Homeowners insurance rates methodology
NerdWallet calculated median rates for 40-year-old homeowners from various insurance companies in the 25 largest cities in each U.S. state by population. 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 2021-2023. 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.
