The average annual cost to insure a home in the U.S. rose again in 2024, according to The Zebra. Homeowners pay an average of $1,602 each year, the data showed, marking a 2% increase from 2023 and an 18% increase from 2019. Premium increases in 2024 are attributed to government regulations, inflation and other economic factors, extreme weather and natural disasters like hurricanes, wildfires and flooding. "In some states, the proliferation of weather events has meant insurance companies are not writing new policies," The Zebra said in the report. "This is particularly true in states like California, Florida and Louisiana due to wildfires, hurricanes and flooding. As insurers pull out of high-risk states, it can make it harder to access insurance in places that badly need it." According to The Zebra, 13 states now average over $2,000 a year in home insurance premiums. Nebraska and Oklahoma pay the highest amounts, with rates in Nebraska nearly three times the national average due to hail and volatile weather patterns. States with the lowest premiums are Hawaii and Delaware with annual rates at one-sixth the national average. Meanwhile, there has been a sharp increase in the number of customers shopping for new policies as premium costs surge. "'The average shopping rate among home insurance customers has climbed to a record high of 6.8% through the second quarter of 2024, up from 5.9% two years ago," said Breanne Armstrong, director of insurance intelligence at J.D. Power. "Many shoppers have ended up staying put because there are so few alternatives available, but carriers need to recognize that steady rate increases put policy retention at risk and has a negative effect on customer satisfaction." The slideshow above illustrates mistakes to avoid when filing a home insurance claim as selected by Home Insurance Alternatives. See also:

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