U.S. homeowners continue to pay more for insurance coverage, according to MarketWatch. As of September, the average annual cost of homeowners insurance is $2,728, or $227 per month, the data showed, with customers now paying 11.5% more on insurance than in 2022. While the average cost of homeowners' insurance has gone up amid persistent inflationary pressures, the final tally depends on such factors as location, claim history, credit score and deductible. "Whether you live somewhere affected by an elevated crime rate, a higher risk for extreme weather events or an unusually cheap cost of living, state averages range from $782 to $6,325 in annual premiums," MarketWatch said. Key points from the study include:

• Nebraska, Louisiana and Oklahoma are the most expensive states for homeowners insurance due to the significant risk of severe weather-related events such as tornadoes, hurricanes and severe storms.
• Hawaii, Utah and Delaware are the most affordable states for a policy due to less exposure to major natural disasters.
• When you file a claim for a covered loss, your insurance company could pay for most or all of the damages. However, filing that claim will likely increase your rates at renewal.
• State governments in California, Hawaii, Michigan and Massachusetts have made the practice of using credit scores for home and auto insurance rates illegal, meaning your score shouldn't affect your rates if you live in one of those states.
• Choosing a higher deductible removes risk from your insurer and reduces your premiums but increases your out-of-pocket costs if damages occur. A lower deductible increases your monthly costs but minimizes your financial risk during a loss.

The slideshow above illustrates key drivers impacting the cost of homeowners' insurance, according to the Insurance Information Institute. See also:

• Tips for first-time investment property buyers
• Idaho Governor: Wildfire 'mitigation actually works'
• Allstate hits California homeowners with 34.1% rate hike