6 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Massachusetts of 2023
Massachusetts is the site of some of the country's oldest homes, making homeowners insurance a must for every resident of the Bay State.
Homeowners in major cities like Boston and Worcester, college towns like Amherst, and small rural communities like Ware should all protect themselves with enough homeowners insurance to rebuild their homes.
Weather in Massachusetts can be severe at times, with harsh winter storms and high summer temperatures that can impact homes and surrounding buildings.
No state law in Massachusetts requires homeowners insurance, but lenders require it, and you’ll need to present proof of coverage at your closing.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Massachusetts is $1,860 per year, which is a little over $150 per month–well above the national average.
The good news is that we’ve researched for you to find the best homeowners insurance companies in Massachusetts.
Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Massachusetts
- Allstate: Best for Consistent Premiums Over Time
- Amica: Best for Dividends
- Travelers: Best Customizable Coverage
- Quincy Mutual: Best for Affordable Coverage
- Vermont Mutual: Best Overall Coverage
- USAA: Best for Military Families
Allstate: Best for Consistent Premiums Over Time
Allstate Insurance is one of the best-known and biggest insurance companies in the country and has decades of experience helping Massachusetts homeowners protect their homes.
We chose them for our list because they offer a unique Claim Rateguard that you can add to your policy to prevent increases to your premium after a claim.
We also appreciate Allstate’s informative website that makes it easy to find information and file claims.
Massachusetts homeowners who live near the water should also know that Allstate will facilitate your flood claim if you buy flood insurance through FEMA.
Allstate also has one of the lowest average costs of companies on our list, coming in at an affordable $905, less than half of the state average.
Read a full Allstate homeowners insurance review.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 815 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 2.05 |
| BBB | A- |
Amica: Best for Dividends
Amica has been providing insurance policies to consumers for over a century and has a good reputation for customer service and support.
We chose Amica for our list because they are one of the only companies that pays dividends to policyholders; you may receive up to 20% of your premium as a dividend each year.
We like Amica for its excellent mobile app and online services, which help to streamline the process of getting quotes.
We also appreciate Amica’s home business protection, something that’s increasingly important in our gig economy.
Amica’s average cost for Massachusetts homeowners insurance is $1,410 per year, which puts it 24% below the state average–and don’t forget those dividends.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 849 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.32 |
Travelers: Best Customizable Coverage
- Multi-Policy Discount.
- Loss-Free Discount.
- Protective Device Discount.
Travelers Insurance issued its first insurance policy more than 160 years ago and is one of the oldest and most respected companies in the United States.
We chose Travelers for our list because they have the best riders and endorsements to allow Massachusetts homeowners to customize their coverage.
Travelers also offers a unique discount that allows homeowners to save if they buy or build a home using green materials.
Travelers’ average cost in Massachusetts is $1,480, more than 20% below the state average.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 794 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A++ |
| BBB | A |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 3.88 |
Quincy Mutual: Best for Affordable Coverage
The Quincy Mutual Fire Insurance Company started in Quincy, Massachusetts, all the way back in 1851.
We selected them for our list because they have the lowest average cost for homeowners insurance in Massachusetts.
We also like that they have maintained an A+ rating from A.M. Best for 50 consecutive years, making them an extremely stable and reliable company.
Quincy Mutual’s average annual cost for Massachusetts homeowners insurance is just $860, less than half the state average.
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
|---|---|
| BBB | A+ |
Vermont Mutual: Best Overall Coverage
Vermont Mutual has been protecting residents of the Northeast since 1828, having gotten its start providing fire insurance.
The company has grown greatly since its inception and has a reputation for excellent customer service and reliable coverage.
We chose them for our list because they offer the best overall coverage when considering costs and add-ons.
The average annual premium in Massachusetts is $1,070, almost 43% below the overall average for Massachusetts.
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A+ |
|---|---|
| BBB | A+ |
USAA: Best for Military Families
Despite its relatively small size, Massachusetts is home to six Army and Air Force bases, and many Massachusetts homeowners are in the military.
We chose USAA for our list of the best homeowners insurance companies in Massachusetts because they offer exceptional coverage and discounts to active duty military members and veterans.
We also like that USAA has received excellent ratings for its customer service and provides coverage in all 50 states plus Washington, DC, making it ideal for military families who move frequently.
USAA’s average cost of homeowners insurance in Massachusetts is $1,720, putting it slightly below the state average.
| J.D. Power (out of 1,000) | 882 |
|---|---|
| A.M. Best - Financial Strength Rating | A++ |
| BBB | A+ |
| NAIC Complaint Index | 0.88 |
What Factors Affect the Price of Homeowners Insurance?
Many things impact the cost of homeowners insurance, and it’s important to know what they are before you start shopping.
Here are the most important factors that companies use to determine your quote.
Deductible
Every homeowners insurance policy has a deductible, and you can choose a high or low deductible.
Choosing a low deductible will cost you more on a monthly basis but provide more protection if you have a claim, and the reverse is true if you choose a high deductible.
Policy Limits
The specific amount of coverage you need will depend on the size of your home and other factors, but you’ll need enough coverage to rebuild your home from the ground up and pay to replace your personal belongings.
Living in a high-cost home built with premium materials will result in a higher-than-average premium.
Endorsements and Riders
Standard homeowners policies provide basic coverage for your home and other structures as well as your personal property and liability.
If you customize your coverage with endorsements and riders or opt for a higher personal liability limit, your costs will increase.
Location
Location plays a role in the cost of homeowners insurance because it has an impact on the risk taken by the insurance company.
As a rule, homes that are far from a local fire station, close to a body of water, or in a high crime area cost more to insure.
Read more: Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Fires?
How Much Homeowners Insurance Do You Need?
You can calculate how much coverage you will need by using the estimated cost of rebuilding your home as a starting point.
Here’s how your coverage will break down.
- Dwelling coverage protects your home and should be high enough to pay to rebuild it from the ground up if it is destroyed.
- Other structures coverage pays to repair or rebuild any other structures located on your property, including fences, sheds, detached garages, or barns; your coverage should be about 10% of your dwelling coverage.
- Personal property coverage is what protects your personal belongings and pays to replace them if they’re stolen, damaged, or destroyed; you’ll need between 50% and 70% of your dwelling coverage.
- Personal liability coverage will protect you if a guest in your home is injured or their property is destroyed; you’ll need between $100,000 and $500,000 of protection.
- Guest medical coverage reimburses your guests for medical expenses that are related to an injury sustained in your home; in most cases coverage is between $1,000 and $5,000 per guest.
- Additional living expenses coverage pays for your and other members of your household to stay in a hotel or make other arrangements if your home is not inhabitable after an insured loss; you’ll need about 20% of your dwelling coverage to be safe.
In total, you should have enough coverage to equal twice the cost of rebuilding your home, not counting your personal liability or guest medical coverage.
Remember that these totals don’t take endorsements into account.
What Is and Isn’t Covered by Homeowners Insurance
Every Massachusetts homeowner should know what is and is not covered by homeowners insurance.
Here are the things that you should expect to be covered.
- Your house and all other structures on your property.
- The personal belongings of you and anybody else who lives in your home.
- Damage caused by covered events.
- Personal liability related to guest property damage or injuries.
- Guest medical expenses.
These things are not covered by a standard homeowners insurance policy.
- Earthquake damage
- Flood damage
- Pest damage & infestation
- Power failure
- Neglect
- Nuclear hazard
- Government action
The first four items listed above may be remedied with either an additional policy or an endorsement; flood insurance would be an example of the former while pest damage would be an example of the latter.
There is no way to remedy neglect, which is something within your control, or the unlikely events of damage related to a nuclear hazard or government action.
Synopsis
Our goal at PropertyNest is to provide Massachusetts homeowners with all the information and guidance needed to choose the right homeowners policy to protect themselves, their homes, and their families.
As you obtain quotes and compare companies, keep in mind the factors that can impact your costs, including the cost to rebuild your home, the area where you live, and the value of your personal belongings.
We suggest getting a minimum of three quotes to compare costs and coverage before making a decision about which company is right for you.
Make sure to ask about discounts since some companies don’t volunteer that information; you can refer to our list as a reference point.
Our Methodology
How We Selected the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies for Massachusetts
Shopping for homeowners insurance can be time-consuming and stressful, with many companies to choose from.
We chose the six companies on this list using these criteria that we believe indicate which companies provide the best coverage for Massachusetts homeowners.
Average Cost
Many factors can impact the cost of homeowners insurance, and the cost is a determining factor for many homeowners in the Bay State.
We made it a point to choose companies that offer good value when compared to the Massachusetts state average.
Read more: How Much Does Homeowners Insurance Cost?
Discounts
Homeowners insurance discounts can help to reduce the annual cost of homeowner insurance, particularly for homeowners who can layer multiple discounts.
The companies we chose all offer substantial discounts or have costs low enough to justify their inclusion without discounts.
Coverage
Your homeowners insurance should provide enough coverage to rebuild your home and replace all your belongings if destroyed.
We prioritize insurance carriers that provide top-notch standard coverage plus endorsements and add-ons to customize your policy to suit your needs.
Customer Service
If you have a homeowners insurance claim, it can be stressful, and homeowners want to feel confident that they’ll get the service and support they need.
We selected companies with a strong history of customer service excellence, particularly those that provide multiple avenues of support.
Technology
Most of today’s homeowners prefer companies that have implemented technology to improve their service, particularly when it comes to filing claims.
The companies we chose all have informative websites and online support, and many also have free mobile apps for policyholders.
