Washington DC Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners Insurance in the District of Columbia: Complete Consumer Guide

Thinking about moving to the District of Columbia? There is a lot to see and do here. We have some interesting facts you may not know about the District of Columbia. The District of Columbia is not part of any U.S. state. The U.S. Constitution provided for a federal district under the exclusive jurisdiction of the U.S. Congress and the District of Columbia is that district. The District of Columbia was named to honor the explorer Christopher Columbus. And Washington, D.C., located within the District of Columbia, was named for George Washington, our nation’s first president. Ready for some sightseeing? There are a number of free memorials and museums you can visit for free. These include the Lincoln Memorial, Vietnam Veterans and Korean War Veterans Memorials, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, The National Gallery of Art, Arlington National Cemetery, the World War II Memorial and the Washington Monument.

Types of policy for Homeowners Insurance in the District of Columbia

What kind of home insurance policy do you need? Not sure? Here is a look at the different types of home insurance policies.

HO-1 Known as the “basic form,” this insurance policy covers the 10 most common perils. But you won’t find this type of insurance policy everywhere. Some insurance companies do not offer HO-1 forms.

HO-2 Called the “broad form,” this insurance policy provides more limited coverage. But an HO-2 form still provides more coverage than a HO-1 basic form.

HO-3 This insurance form is the most widely purchased type of homeowners insurance. The HO-3 form provides coverage for named perils and personal property. With a HO-3 form, your insurance company will pay to repair or replace belongings damaged by 16 covered perils. These perils include hail, explosions, vandalism, theft, falling objects, the weight of snow, sleet and ice, water damage, fire, smoke, lightning and windstorm.

HO-6 This insurance form is for condominium units. The HO-6 coverage is usually “walls-in” coverage and may protect the condo unit’s walls, ceilings and floors from 16 covered perils. The HO-6 form also includes coverage for the condo owner’s belongings.

HO-8 This type of insurance form is for older houses and covers 10 perils. The HO-8 form is paid on an actual cash value basis, which is the cost of the home items minus depreciation.

What factors affect rates on homeowners insurance in the District of Columbia?

A whole array of factors impact homeowners insurance rates. Let’s take a look at a few. For example, the construction materials of your home are a big factor. So are other things such as how much it will cost to rebuild the house and replace all your belongings. Whether you own a swimming pool or a trampoline are other factors. Do you have pets? If you own a dog, you are liable for dog bites and injuries caused by your pet and this affects your homeowners insurance. Your credit is a factor as well. If you have good or excellent credit you will pay a lower insurance rate than a homeowner with bad credit.

Top 5 disasters in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia federally declared Severe Storms as the most common peril with 9 counts since 1953, followed by Hurricane, Snow, Biological, and Earthquake. Here are the top 5 federally declared disasters in the District of Columbia:

Source: Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

How much is homeowners insurance in the District of Columbia?

The average cost of homeowners insurance in the District of Columbia is $1,047 per year.

Source: The average cost of homeowners insurance by state, Business Insider.

Crime Rate: Is the District of Columbia safe?

Safest City in District of Columbia by Property Crime*

• Washington, DC has a population of 705,749 with a Property Crime rate of 42.5 per 1k. The city average home value is approximately $680,000.

*Based on FBI Uniform Crime Reporting 2019, some cities have been eliminated because of changes in the state/local agency's reporting practices and cities with populations under 10,000. Zillow’s State/Cities average home value for a single family home or a condo as of Sept. 2020.

Compare Home Insurance Rates in Washington, DC

Top homeowners insurance companies in the District of Columbia

Allstate is well-known for its wide array of discounts. Scoop up enough discounts and you’ll have a lower insurance premium in no time. Allstate also has an interactive website with digital tools that customers can use to determine what policy is best for them. Discounts include a hail-resistant roof discount, a home buyer discount and an early signing discount.

USAA prides itself on its strong customer service for members and on its competitive insurance pricing. USAA is only available to military members and their families. Available discounts include saving 10 percent when you bundle a USAA home insurance policy with a USAA auto insurance policy and saving 10 percent for going claims-free.

State Farm makes speedy claims payments. State Farm is also known for the accuracy of its insurance quotes. If you have a fire, smoke or burglar alarm, you may qualify for a home alert protections discount from State Farm. Discounts also are available for having multiple lines of insurance with State Farm.

District of Columbia Home Insurance FAQs

When to cancel homeowners insurance when selling a house?

Keep your homeowners insurance until your home passes into the buyer’s possession. Once that happens, you can cancel your homeowners insurance. Otherwise, you’re liable for any injuries on the premises and damages that will not have coverage.

Does esurance offer home insurance in DC?

Yes, esurance offers home and condo insurance in DC.

What is the standard deductible for homeowners insurance?

The standard deductible for a homeowners insurance policy is $1,000, but you can elect a lower or higher one. The higher the deductible, the lower your monthly premiums.