Is homeowners insurance required in Washington?
No, homeowners insurance is not required by law in Washington. However, in order to get a home loan, your mortgage lender will likely require you to obtain a certain amount of insurance coverage.
What does homeowners insurance cover in Washington?
Every policy is different, but home insurance policies in Washington typically come with several standard coverages.
- Dwelling (Coverage A). This coverage helps you pay for damage to your home from a covered event, such as fire, wind, lightning or hail.
- Other structures (Coverage B). This coverage is intended to help cover structures that aren’t connected to your home, like a fence or shed.
- Personal property (Coverage C). This coverage helps you repair or replace your personal belongings if they are stolen or damaged.
- Loss of use, or additional living expense coverage (Coverage D). This coverage can help you pay to stay somewhere else if your home is uninhabitable due to covered damage.
- Personal liability (Coverage E). This coverage helps pay for accidental property damage or injuries you cause through negligence.
Typical home insurance policies in Washington cover damage caused by events such as:
- Fire
- Vandalism and theft
- Lightning strikes
- Wind
- Hail
- Explosions
- Falling objects
- The weight of snow or ice
Flooding, a common risk in parts of Washington, is not covered. However, special flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) may be available. Earthquakes, also a risk in this Pacific Rim state, aren’t covered either, but special earthquake insurance may be available.
Home insurance coverage options in Washington
Farmers® gives you multiple options for covering your home and things you keep in it. You can customize your policy to suit your lifestyle and dwelling type:
- Single-family home
- Condo
- Mobile or manufactured
- Seasonal or vacation
- Rental property
- Older home
How much does homeowners insurance generally cost in Washington?
The average premium for home insurance coverage in Washington is $937 per year1, according to a 2020 report (the most recent data available) by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC). However, insurance costs in most states have changed since then. Also, the amount you pay may be different, depending on things like the value and age of your home, how much personal property you want to cover, what deductible you choose and risks specific to your area.
Washington home insurance discounts
Farmers® offers a variety of savings opportunities for eligible home insurance customers in Washington, including:
- Multi-policy
- Protective devices
- Non-smoker
See more information and additional discounts that may be available in Washington.
Goldfinch
Prickly, poky thistles aren’t an obvious food choice, but Washington’s state bird loves them. In fact, the American goldfinch’s scientific name, Carduelis, is derived from the Latin word for thistle. — National Audubon Society
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1 Based on average premium for HO-3 type open perils homeowners policies.