8 Best Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut of 2021

Your home in Connecticut is probably one of the most precious investments you have ever made.

It’s a valuable asset, and because of the hazardous weather conditions that plague New England states like Connecticut, such as heavy wind and snow, your home needs to be fully protected in case these natural disasters destroy both your home and property.

There’s only one way to get protection. You need a homeowners insurance policy.

While there’s no law in Connecticut that states you need it, your home loan lender will require it to protect its asset.

Homeowners insurance won't just cover damages to your home or property under certain circumstances but also pay for repair or replacement of other valuables, even precious items.

Standard coverage also allows for coverage of legal liability, medical expenses, and liability, as well as loss-of-use damages.

Having homeowners insurance is more comprehensive than the examples we’ve given you.

But how can you find a homeowners policy that provides you with financial peace of mind and also fits your budget?

Luckily, PropertyNest found insurers that were affordable and offered a high amount of protection if your property or your belongings were damaged due to a covered event.

We’ve given you a handy list of everything a Connecticut insurer offers in addition to providing you with a selection of the best insurers ranked by category to give you an idea of what you can get covered.

Lemonade: Best Online-Only Home Insurance Company

Lemonade has an unbeatable home insurance policy that starts at a very low $5 a month for basic coverage.

However, don’t be fooled. By the time you purchase riders that Lemonade doesn’t cover for free, you’re back to a mid-range premium that may be higher than you expected.

Still, the reason why the coverage is so cheap is that Lemonade uses artificial intelligence (AI).

This online-only insurance company only functions through its easy-to-use website and mobile app.

You don’t work with insurance agents. You can do all your insurance issues online, from setting up an account to filing a claim, and from making changes to your policy to canceling your policy.

This is why we chose Lemonade. It allows you to save time. No more calling an insurance and being put on hold for like four hours.

When it comes to claims, Lemonade is unbeatable. No hassles, no worries. Traditional homeowners insurance companies can take months to reimburse you for a claim.

With Lemonade, you can get paid for a claim while lingering on your couch. The response time is ridiculous: it only takes minutes for your claim to be processed.

Read a full Lemonade home insurance review.

What Makes Lemonade Stand Out?

Lemonade’s Giveback Program allows their policyholders to choose a charity to donate their premiums to. This happens when the company has a lot of unclaimed premiums.

So instead of Lemonade profiting from them, the company instead donates any remaining money to charity.

How Well Received is Lemonade?

• BBB: C
• Demotech financial stability rating: A-
• AM Best: A-
• NAIC: .81

State Farm: Best Cheapest Home Insurance

State Farm is one of the largest homeowners insurance companies in the U.S.

And yet, the behemoth insurer offers the cheapest rates in Connecticut.

That’s $778 for an average rate per year for a $200k dwelling.

Now compare that with the national average rate of $1,184, which means the company blows the competition away.

Besides being very affordable, State Farm has many things to offer.

It has an easy-to-access online presence.

State Farm has a comprehensive website that allows you to get a detailed quote minutes after you fill out the online application.

The website also allows you to manage your insurance. You can pay a bill, file or manage a claim, and handle most maintenance tasks either online or else on the app.

If you’re not tech-savvy, State Farm is still easy to work with as it has a plethora of local agents across Connecticut.

These agents can assist you in choosing the coverage that suits your needs, including upping your premium if you want to do an add-on to protect your valuables like jewelry and which is not fully covered in the basic policy.

What Makes State Farm Special?

Unique discounts

For example, you can get a roofing discount if you upgrade to a weather-resistant roof. This will minimize hazardous weather conditions like windstorms and severe rain that may destroy your roof.

Fire Safety Program

Members may be eligible for a free electronic component that monitors your house’s electric and alerts you to any problems before your system can cause a fire in your home.

How Well Received is State Farm?

• JD Power: 835/1,000
• AM Best: A++ (Superior)
• BBB: A+
• NAIC: .02

Allstate: Best Home Insurance for First-Time Homebuyers

Allstate, available in 50 states, is a powerhouse in the insurance industry. But just because it’s ginormous doesn’t mean that it offers high rates.

Allstate’s rates are competitive, with an average price of $926 per year for a $200k dwelling.

But what makes the company stand out is that its discounts are more plentiful than most similar insurers and that it favors first-time homebuyers.

Here are a few ways in which to save to bring your premium down.

Save up to 10% on your bill if you sign up for Allstate at least 7 days before your current insurance expires.

You can get a generous discount of up to 25% if you bundle your home and auto insurance.

Retiree home insurance discount for those over 55 years old.

You can get a discount if you use Allstate to cover your new home if you are a first-time buyer.

This last discount is the most important because Allstate takes care of first-time buyers. You even get a discount if you are a first-timer when you buy a new construction home.

Allstate also offers a lot of educational resources about home insurance topics or about the process of buying insurance on their website and their app that targets first home buyers.

What Makes Allstate Special?

Add-ons or riders are unique and are not typical of other home insurance companies in Connecticut.

Easy to use website and access to digital tools for filing claims.

Guest medical coverage, also known as no-fault coverage.

Prospective customers can easily get a free quote online.

How Well Received is Allstate?

• NAIC Complaint Index: 0.6 (This means that customers are between two and three times more likely to be unhappy with the service they received)
• JD Power score: 3/5
• BBB: A+
• AM Best: A+

Amica: Best for Dividend Policy Option

Amica’s dividend program is special, as many homeowners insurance companies do not have this cost-savings tool.

The dividend program allows you to invest your policy premium as a dividend.

The option is where you pay more of your policy upfront and, at the end of your term, a portion of the money will be refunded to you, thereby offsetting the overall amount of premium you pay.

The money returned to you is on average 5% to 20% of your annual premium.

The average cost for Amica homeowners insurance in Connecticut is $1,530 per year for $100,000–500,000 dwelling coverage.

This makes Amica slightly higher in price than its competition.

What Makes Amica Special?

Calling claims representatives 24/7.

You can cancel your Amica homeowners insurance policy at any time.

Amica offers additional coverage in addition to its standard insurance policy.

Includes up to 30% more home replacement coverage than a standard policy.

You can choose a higher coverage limit to replace valuables that a standard policy can’t fully cover.

Amica’s most unique feature is that it has been rated #1 with JD Power for 18 years, which no insurance company on this list can compare.

How Well Received is Amica?

• AM Best: A+.
• NAIC Customer Complaints: fewer complaints than average.
• J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction: 845/1,000.
• BBB: A+

Chubb: Best Insurance Coverage for High-Value Properties

If you live in Greenwich, Westport, or New Canaan, for example, you probably live in a home worth over one million dollars. Indeed, in these high-end Connecticut towns, the median rate of a home is around five mill.

That’s a lot, so if you are wealthy, it makes sense to go with Chubb as it is tailored to homeowners who want high-end protection for their mansions and estates.

As such, unlike a standard homeowners insurance policy, you can choose to have higher liability costs and you can get covered up to $100 million.

Chubb calls its homeowners insurance “Masterpiece,” and is the only type of coverage you can buy for your home.

Some (of many) features stand out.

One policy offers a homeowner to rebuild his or her home even if the destruction exceeds the limit in the policy.

The “cash out” option kicks in if your home is also destroyed. Chubb will reimburse you for rebuilding your home, but if you don’t want to, the insurer will offer you a cash settlement.

Also, the policy offers extended replacement costs for dwelling and replacement value for your high-priced personal possessions.

This policy also covers home repairs, rebuilding costs, and building code upgrades.

A wildfire policy will defend your home from wildfires, as well as provide support after a fire and during the claims process.

However, you’ll pay a lot in your insurance premium for this kind of white-glove service. It’s the most expensive home insurance on the market, although we found no consensus on price per year in Chubb’s standard policy.

What Makes Chubb Stand Out?

If you own a second home, property managers can take care of it in case of an emergency, such as if a hurricane strikes.

It covers the high-valued and collector’s items in your home like fine art, furs, and jewelry.

These coverages have a cost but are unique.

If your appliances—from your Thermador range to your washing machine—get damaged, Chubb will repair or pay for the full replacement cost.

Chubb helps members pay for expenses after a traumatic event occurs, including home invasion, carjacking, and cyberbullying.

How Well Received is Chubb?

• BBB: A+
• JD Power: 2 out of 5
• Forbes Advisor Rating: 4.5
• NAIC: 0.14
• AM Best: A++

MetLife: Best for Guaranteed Replacement Cost Coverage for Your Home

The weather in Connecticut can be brutal in the fall and winter. Roof shingles can blow off during hail or a snowstorm. If you are lucky to live on the coast, such as in Madison, Guilford, and Clinton, you know how the weather can ruin your property.

MetLife, like many insurance carriers, won’t pay for water damage or a new roof, but you can always increase your premium by getting riders if you want these repaired without incurring any out-of-pocket expenses.

We chose MetLife for its guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your home. Once again, this is an option, but it can be a lifesaver if your home gets severely damaged.

MetLife will pay the full cost to rebuild your home, even if it's more than the amount for which your home is insured.

And not only that, the replacement cost coverage will reimburse you for your personal belongings when your home is destroyed. So, you will be fully covered in the event of a covered loss.

MetLife offers many other things, such as discounts and a lot of riders that you may need because the insurer’s standard policy will not cover these things to the full capacity.

One coverage stands out as it comes at no extra cost to you. This is the insurer’s identity protection coverage. Identity theft can be expensive if you want to clear your name and can it also lead to trauma and PTSD, according to MetLife. It’s like someone stole a piece of you and you now can’t function normally.

So MetLife will provide you with a personal ID theft specialist who will assist you in your recovery at no additional cost.

What Makes MetLife stand out?

The company’s contents replacement coverage pays to replace personal property without depreciation.

Its many endorsements.

How Well Received is MetLife?

• BBB: A-
• AM Best: A+
• NAIC gave MetLife a rating of 1.00 (which means it has fewer customer complaints than a comparable insurer)
• JD Power: 4.1/5

Vermont Mutual: Best for Local Insurer

Vermont Mutual may be flying under the radar, but it’s one of the oldest insurance companies around.

Vermont Mutual covers the following states, which include Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Currently, it has 300,000 policyholders.

That may seem small, but then again, this is a regional company.

We chose Vermont because it is a local service that offers coverage to locals.

Having a local insurer means better customer service and a more personalized approach.

The agents know your area well and can even inform you on what you may need in terms of coverage based on the city you live in.

You are not talking to an insurance agent who is stationed in a call center located in the Philippines.

Also, Vermont Mutual has good coverage in addition to its basic policy.

Here are two:

Home Business

This covers your home business equipment (such as computers and copy machines) in addition to covering lost business income if your home is somehow damaged in a covered peril.

Home Systems Protection

This provides up to $50,000 in coverage for equipment, systems, and appliances that get damaged in a covered peril.

The most important coverage is Vermont’s Homeowners Broadening Endorsement policies, which feature three levels of additional coverage for personalized protection.

Whichever level you choose, each one of them fills gaps not found in the insurer’s standard coverage, allowing you to customize your home insurance that fits your actual, specific needs.

The three levels cover various things, such as debris removal, valuables theft coverage, water backup coverage (which is not offered by other insurers), and identity fraud coverage.

What Makes Vermont Mutual Stand Out?

The carrier works with independent insurance agents to ensure their customers are matched with the best coverage possible for them.

How Well Received is Vermont Mutual?

• AM Best: A+
• BBB: A+
• NAIC: 1.04 (higher than average complaints)

NJM (New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance): Best For Coverage That Often Costs Extra

We chose NJM because it offers additional types of coverage that often cost extra at other comparable homeowners insurance providers.

These are major coverages that are popular and which you’d have to add to your policy as a rider and, in so doing, will raise your premium.

Guaranteed replacement cost coverage.

The coverage pays the full cost of replacing your home in a covered peril even if this amount exceeds the policy limits. However, to be eligible, you have to insure your home to NJM’s full recommended replacement cost limit.

Replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings

If your personal effects are stolen or destroyed, the replacement cost pays you enough so you can purchase new belongings.

Other insurers will only pay the depreciated value.

Water backup coverage

Reimburses you to repair damage if your sump pump overflows or water backs up into your home.

This is one of those necessary coverages but can only be had as add-ons that carry an extra cost from other homeowners insurance companies.

Ordinance or law coverage

This pays for any expenses associated with upgrading your home to current building codes after a covered claim.

What Makes NJM Stand Out?

NJM offers more discounts than comparable insurers. These can reduce your premium severely if you meet the requirements. Some of the most popular include:

• Multipolicy discount
• Security: if you have smoke detectors, burglar alarms, cameras, automatic sprinkler systems, and live in a gated community, you’ll get a discount
• Nonsmoking discount
• If you are 65 or older, you’ll get a discount
• Discount if you own an automatic backup power supply or portable generator
• Discount if you pay in full your premium
• Discount if you pay online or on app
• Paperless discount
• Discount if you have impact-resistant glass on all windows

How Well Received is NJM?

• AM Best: A+
• JD Power: 909/1000

How We Decided

There are many homeowners insurance companies that cater to Connecticut residents, and it can be hard to differentiate which is best and which is affordable.

The best homeowners insurance companies have the highest customer satisfaction, affordable pricing, a ton of coverage options, as well as a boatload of discounts that go beyond bundling and are easy enough to achieve.

Since most insurers have the same six basic coverages, we had to look beyond them to differentiate each.

But what makes a homeowners insurance unique?

To answer that, we considered many factors. We looked at the simplicity of customer service and how quickly a potential home insurance buyer can receive a quote.

In addition, we were able to whittle down our many choices by seeing how easy it is for a policyholder to not only make a claim but also how long it takes to receive compensation.

Price

We looked at home insurance companies that had the best pricing. If the insurance had a premium below the national average, we put that on our list.

But most of the companies we chose (besides Chubb) have affordable premiums. That’s not a coincidence. We only considered companies that had the best add-ons and, to offset their costs, we looked at the discounts that insurers offered, and how many, to keep a premium from skyrocketing.

High Ratings

When deciding on a home insurance company, it's important to go beyond price. We scoured customer reviews from many sites to see how well a homeowners insurance performed. We then compared the reviews to how well the company ranked in professional ratings. These include AM Best and BBB.

Convenience

An insurance company that has a website and mobile app is designed for the customer to save time. No one wants to consider add-on options with a rep that takes hours to sort out.

So, we looked at how easy it is to use a company’s website, and how much you can do there to save time.

If a company’s website allows you to manage most of your insurance needs online and allows you to pay your premium and file or manage a claim, then that’s what we looked at when deciding how well-received a company’s online presence is.

Do I Need Homeowners Insurance if I live in CT?

Homeowners insurance coverage is not required by law.

However, if you have a mortgage, the lender will most likely require you to insure your home to protect its investment.

But even if you don’t have a mortgage, it’s best to get a policy because it gives you peace of mind.

Connecticut Home Insurance Coverage

For a standard insurance policy, here’s what a Connecticut home insurance typically covers.

Dwelling

Covers damage to your house. For example, the insurer will cover the cost of rebuilding your home if it’s destroyed in a fire or other covered event.

Other Structures

This is part of dwelling, but it differs. It covers stand-alone structures on your property, like a fence or a shed. This coverage usually makes up 10% of dwelling coverage.

Liability

If you cause bodily injury or property damage to another person unintentionally or through neglect, your policy will pay for medical bills, any necessary repairs or replacements, and legal fees if you’re sued. Most homeowners need at least $300,000 of this type of protection.

Medical

Pays if someone is injured on your property and needs medical treatment, regardless of who’s at fault. Also pays if you, a family member, or a pet like a dog injures someone elsewhere.

The typical policy comes with $1,000 of protection for each person.

Personal Property

Pays to repair or replace belongings that are stolen or damaged in a covered peril, whether that happens in your home or on a trip. Personal property coverage is usually 50% to 70% of dwelling coverage.

Loss of Use

If a covered event destroys your property to the point that it is unhabitable, loss of use will pay for your temporary living expenses, such as staying at hotels or motels, having meals at restaurants, and other necessary expenses such as laundry service. Loss of use coverage is usually 20% of dwelling coverage.

How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost in Connecticut?

The average cost of homeowners insurance is $1,180 per year for $250,000 in dwelling coverage, which is less than the national average of $1,300 per year.

Homeowners in Connecticut may pay less in premiums than the national average due to limited catastrophic natural disasters in the state, such as hurricanes.

However, if you live in coastal towns like Madison, Mystic, Old Saybrook, Stony Creek, Westport, and Greenwich, your premium will be higher as homes in these areas are more susceptible to damage from wind, rain, and tropical storms, all of which can cause extensive damage.

Discounts

All of the insurers we picked had choice discounts that could drive down the cost of your monthly premium.

Some of the most common discounts that Connecticut insurers offer include:

• Bundling home and auto insurance
• Being Claims-Free
• If you don’t make a claim in a set period of time, you’ll receive a discount

Safety Features

Having safety features in your home such as an alarm, a security camera, and several bolts on your doors, for example.

Home Credit

If you purchase new and costly home equipment such as that La Cornue range you had your eye on, an insurer will reduce your rate.

These discounts and more can help offset the cost of your premium.

However, if you need to customize your policy for higher coverage using an add-on or rider, your premium will probably rise and cancel out your discounts.

You’ll receive information about your policy after you commit to a home insurance company. Look that over closely.

It will tell you your coverage and limits, your deductibles, and the claims-filing process.

What is the Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut?

You won’t find the cheapest insurance until you do your research and get multiple quotes from multiple companies.

Compare the quotes so you can find the one that is the most affordable.

The cheapest homeowners insurance will be different for every person.

Your annual premium depends on two categories: anything related to your home and everything related to yourself.

For property, your annual premium is based on:

• The age, condition, and the cost of your home
• Your structures
• Any property on your acreage that is not attached to your house such as a pool house
• Your geographic location
• Whether you live in a safe town with a low crime rate
• The distance of your house being near a fire hydrant or fire station
• The building materials used to build or renovate your home
• The size of your mortgage and how much you owe
• The square footage of your house

Your insurer will also look at how well received you are.

These include:

• Whether you’ve made a claim in the past
• If you’ve never made a claim during a set period of time
• The coverage and add-ons you choose
• Your deductible
• Your credit score

Common Causes of Property Losses in Connecticut

Having homeowners insurance in Connecticut can help to protect you from paying pricey out-of-pocket expenses to repair or replace damages to your home due to natural disasters. So, it’s good to know what you’re in for when weather conditions affect your home.

Flooding

What Connecticut suffers the most from is its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, which puts your house at risk for flooding.

Heavy Snow and Ice

Connecticut is a four seasons state, and when winter comes, it does so with a bang. Heavy snow and ice can cause damage to your roof.

High Winds from Storms

Heavy storms happen in Connecticut all season long and, as a result, can lead to devastating high winds.

High winds can damage your roof and even blow off loose shingles.

In addition, if there are tree branches or limbs positioned over your home, these can break and fall on your roof, driveway, garage, and power lines due to high winds.

To ensure your house is safe from falling tree limbs, they must be at least three feet away from it.

Which Homeowners Insurance is Right for You?

Each insurer we chose offers something different. If you can’t decide on a company, it’s wise to look at the unique features it offers.

Online/App

If you don’t have the time, it’s best to go with an insurer that has an online presence where you can get a detailed quote, manage your policy, and pay bills, for example, on the company’s website or app, and which you can do anytime you want.

This means no more waiting on hold to speak to a customer service rep.

High-Priced Possessions

If your belongings have been appraised and are astronomically priced, Chubb would be your best bet as it offers higher coverages.

Since the company is synonymous with covering the wealthy, they have years of experience handling that pricey conceptual art piece by Glenn Ligon.

Discounts

If you are looking for the most affordable homeowners insurance in Connecticut, look at a company with the most discounts.

Discounts can add up and, in so doing, can decrease your premium significantly.

Taking Rating Scores into Account

When buying homeowners insurance, the premium, the cost of endorsements, and the discounts you may receive, should be just some of the many factors you consider.

It's important to go beyond comparing and contrasting quotes — a company's customer service and financial stability are essential factors to consider as well.

Four key rating systems we looked at are the BBB, the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) for a company's complaint index, AM Best for its financial strength (i.e. the company’s ability to pay out claims), and J.D. Power for its consumer satisfaction.

Below, find out who scored the best for each of the insurance companies we reviewed.

• Insurer NAIC Complaint Index JD Power Score AM Best BBB
• Allstate .06 3/5 A A+
• State Farm .02 4/5 A++ A+
• Amica .24 5/5 A+ A+
• Chubb 0.14 2/5 A++ A+
• MetLife 1.00 4.1/5 A+ A-
• Lemonade .81 N/A A- C
• Vermont Mutual 1.04 Not rated A+ A+
• NJM Excellent 909/1000 A+ 1.5/5

Do I Need to Get Endorsements?

When your basic or standard home insurance falls short of fully covering your damaged personal belongings, or if it doesn’t even cover a protection you need, you should consider buying an add-on or endorsement for your policy.

Most companies offer endorsements for identity theft, valuable personal property, water backup, and personal property replacement costs.

Natural Disasters

In Connecticut, the two most common natural disasters are snowstorms and floods.

Your basic policy will cover damage due to snow, but it will not cover water damage from floods.

In fact, most or all insurers don’t pay for water damage from floods.

In addition, they also don’t pay for earthquake and landslide damage.

For coverage, you need to add flood insurance to your policy.

An example is that while a policy may cover water damage if your roof leaks due to a hurricane, it won’t cover flood damage from the same hurricane.

Connecticut does not get devastated by earthquakes, so obviously you don’t need that insurance.

Home Inventory

If you don’t know how much additional coverage you need to protect your personal possessions, a home inventory will help determine the cost.

A home inventory is a list of your personal belongings and how much they’re worth.

It is the best way to determine how much it would cost to replace your items if they are stolen or lost and you need to make a claim.

If you have receipts, you have the exact prices for your items.

But if you don’t have receipts and can’t remember the value of a prized possession, use a ballpark figure. Look up an item on the Internet to find your product. If you can’t find the exact match, an item similar to yours can be used.

If you have to file a claim, the inventory makes it easier to see what belongings were damaged after a covered event destroys them.

Once you do your home inventory, only then will you be able to choose wisely in terms of coverage.

Roof Replacement Cost

If your roof is damaged, this policy will pay the actual cost of repairs or replacements, not the depreciated value. But your roof needs to qualify; for example, your insurance will take into consideration how old your roof is.

Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage is the cost to rebuild or repair your home in a covered peril.

If you need repair, it will be based on the cost of labor, the cost of contractors and their employees, as well as the materials needed to reconstruct your home in the same way it was before the damage.

Since the majority of insurers only pay up to a limit, you should look for replacement cost coverage.

If you do, then this added policy will pay the full cost to rebuild or repair your home.

Replacement Cost vs. Actual Cash Value (ACV)

An insurer will give you two options that you should choose when purchasing a homeowners insurance policy in Connecticut. This is replacement cost coverage and actual cash value.

You should choose replacement cost. For example, if your expensive laptop gets damaged under a covered peril, replacement cost will give you a brand-new model that is comparable to the one you owned.

You should stay away from ACV. If your laptop is three years old and was damaged, ACV will only pay you the depreciated amount, which will be the cost of a three-year-old model.

What if You Need Additional Protection?

Importantly, the home inventory will assist you in determining if you need additional protection or if your standard policy is sufficient enough to cover what you own.

If you need additional protection coverage for some of your high-priced belongings like artwork and heirloom items, you can “schedule” them.

“Schedule” is a supplemental policy that extends coverage, especially if your insurer will only pay up to a certain amount for your items.

When you purchase a scheduled policy, this will ensure that you’ll get full coverage for your expensive items like jewelry in the event you need to make a claim.

How Do I Get Homeowners Insurance in Connecticut?

You need to get a quote first by going on the company’s website or by calling in. Once again, get multiple quotes to see which one is the most affordable to you or if you like what a company has to offer, such as the availability of its agents.

After you decide on a company, you will need the following information to apply:

Details about your home like the year it was built and the age of your roof.

Your name, address, and date of birth.

An idea of the coverage you would like to buy, such as getting flood insurance if your home is susceptible to flooding.

Last is when an agent or rep walks you through the steps needed to purchase a policy.