After evaluating numerous providers based on market share, customer service, financial strength ratings, and more, our top choice for the best homeowners insurance in Kansas comes from Auto-Owners Insurance.
It offers a super low premium compared to its competitors, has high customer satisfaction ratings, and it has the best financial strength rating that is possible through AM Best.
Other providers we selected include AAA, Allstate, State Farm, and Farmers Insurance; each is evaluated below in further detail.
The 5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in Kansas
| Auto-Owners Insurance | AAA | Allstate | State Farm | Farmers Insurance | |
| Our review | Our review | Our review | Our review | Our review | |
| AM Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A | A+ | A++ | B++ |
| J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Score (Relevant region) | 4/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Online Quote Tool | ✓ | X | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates |
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in Kansas
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Kansas is $1,584 per year, making it the 5th most expensive state in the U.S.
There are a lot of factors that determine how much you’ll pay for homeowners insurance besides what state you live in. Some of these are:
- Age of home
- Size of home
- Specific location of home
- Construction of home
- Condition of home
- Type of heating
- Type of Policy
- Discounts
- Deductible
- Credit score
- Marital status
- Closest fire station
Also keep in mind that your provider will influence how much you pay. This is because each insurance company has algorithms to determine what customers will pay.
Home Insurance add-ons that will further protect you
Exposure to catastrophe affects the cost of insurance, and Kansans face several key risks.
The state experiences roughly 100 tornadoes annually, wildfires are a growing occurrence, and severe winds and hail are also not uncommon.
The Kansas Insurance Department estimates that an average of nearly $330 million is spent on windstorm, tornado, and hail damage (or other weather-related claim losses) each year.
Likewise, the Insurance Research Council found that the severity of Kansas homeowner’s insurance claims grew from $2,290 in 1997 to $8,426 in 2013.
For all of these reasons, we highly recommend the following protection:
Earthquake Coverage
Kansas is unfortunately centered on top of the Humboldt Fault line. Because of this, it experiences regular earthquake occurrences — over 500 earthquakes since 2013. Though none of them have caused significant damage thus far, the risk of activity equates to a risk of financial loss.
Flood Insurance
Flooding is a risk in nearly every state, depending on the specific zones. The NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) provides flood insurance if you are at risk, though your insurance provider may act as a liaison.
Well and Septic
Well and septic coverages come in handy when the cause of loss is unclear in a water damage situation. Since flooding can cause backups and malfunctions, it’s best to be covered for all potential outcomes.
Sewage and Water Backup
Similar to well and septic, this add-on provides coverage for any water damage from sewage and water backups.
Other Structures Add-On
What happens to your home is likely going to happen to other structures on your property, too.
However, a standard policy won’t protect them in the event they are damaged. Other Structures add-on coverage will protect such structures as:
- Sheds
- Garages
- Barns
- Greenhouses
- Fences
- Lampposts
If you know your home is at risk of inclement weather, then obviously everything else at your home is too. This add-on will protect the rest of your belongings.
Umbrella Coverage
What happens when your claims and expenses go beyond what your liability limits will allow? In that situation, you’re faced with the unfortunate prospect of taking the difference out of your own pocket and the price can be steep. Umbrella coverage provides allowances for damages and expenses that exceed liability limits.
A special Note About Tornadoes
Most policies protect your home from damaging wind and hail, however, some insurance providers may have special stipulations when it comes to tornadoes.
When choosing a provider, make sure to ask an agent about “tornado damage caused by wind” to make sure you will be fully covered in the event of a tornado. If not, you may need to acquire additional protection.
Helpful Resources for Kansas Homeowners
The Kansas Insurance Department has a lot of tools and resources for Kansans that don’t just center around homeowners insurance. However, it’s homeowners insurance page is quite informative and useful, and has such information as:
- How to shop for homeowners insurance
- How to file a claim
- How to file a complaint
Online versus In-Person
This really just depends on what you prefer. The upside to doing everything online is that it’s faster and more convenient. The benefit to doing it in person is that you will be able to easily ask extensive questions.
Required Materials for Application
You generally just need information to apply for homeowners insurance. We recommend using your inspection report if you have it because your inspector will have already thoroughly answered many of the questions you’re going to be asked during your application.
If you’ve owned the home for some time and have done extensive repairs and renovations to it, you may be asked to specify what was done, what materials were used, and how much you spent.
Time Considerations
If you’re buying a home, you will need to have a policy in place before your lender will allow you to close. This limits the time you have to comparison-shop.
If you already bought your home but are still making payments on it, just remember to maintain coverage at all times— meaning you can’t have any gaps in your coverage. If you let your old policy expire before finding a new one, you will likely incur a fine or penalty.
In either scenario, just be sure to call your lender and your escrow agent to inform them of your homeowners insurance policy details.
Methodology
To determine the best homeowners insurance providers in Kansas we looked at a variety of factors. We first looked at which companies have the largest market shares in the state. From there, we next looked at AM Best and J.D. Power ratings. How a company scores with these sites indicates financial strength and customer service.
Then we combed through even more data, including:
- Average premium cost
- Policy offerings
- Discount opportunities
- Claims against the company
- Tech savviness (online resources, mobile app, etc.)
- Better Business Bureau rating
After evaluating the providers based on these factors, we believe the following providers represent the best in the state of Kansas.
Best Kansas Homeowners Insurance Companies
Auto-Owners Insurance
Pros
- Great online resources
- Easy to bundle and save
Cons
- Policy changes can’t be made online
Auto-Owners tops our list as it offers its members a lot of free informational resources, multiple coverage types and add-ons, and the lowest average premiums in the state.
One detraction with Auto-Owners is that you can’t simply change your policy online. You must call and speak with an agent.
AAA
Pros
- Variety of member discounts
- Highly rated customer service
Cons
- Can’t purchase homeowners insurance without first being an AAA member
AAA has some of the best-rated customer service in the insurance world and offers special member discounts, as well as multiple online resources. J.D. Power ranked AAA 4/5 for overall customer satisfaction, which is at the top of our list of competitors in Kansas.
The one drawback to AAA is that you can’t simply buy homeowners insurance. You must first join and become a certified AAA member.
Allstate
Pros
- Low premium
- Multiple discount opportunities
Cons
- Average customer service ratings
Allstate has one of the lowest average premiums in Kansas (second to Auto-Owners). On top of low premiums, it also offers a variety of ways its members can save on their homeowners insurance. Some of these include a loyalty discount (save 10% each year you’re a member), installing storm shutters, and enrolling in automatic payments.
The negative about Allstate is that it only has average customer satisfaction ratings compared to the other providers that made our list.
State Farm
Pros
- Strong mobile app
- High rankings with AM Best and J.D. Power
- Easy-to-achieve discounts
Cons
- Expensive premium compared to other companies
State Farm has one of the best mobile apps for an insurance company. You can manage your policy, file a claim, and make payments from it. Other factors that contribute to State Farm’s place on our list is the high reviews by AM Best and J.D. Power. With strong financials and great customer service reviews, it’s a top contender for Kansas homeowners.
The downside is that State Farm has one of the most expensive premiums in Kansas. Discounts are fairly easy to achieve though, which might compensate on your premium.
Farmers Insurance
Pros
- Multiple coverage options
- Variety of discounts
Cons
- Weaker financial rating compared to other companies
Members with Farmers Insurance have access to multiple coverage options and discounts for things that are fairly standard in most homes. Just having deadbolt locks, smoke alarms, and other standard safety precautions can save you extra.
The drawback to Farmers Insurance is that it does have a weaker financial rating from AM Best compared to its peers. However, it does have an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau.
The Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies In Kansas
| Homeowner Insurance Companies | Average Annual Premium |
| Auto-Owners Insurance | $1,106 |
| Allstate | $1,319 |
| USAA | $1,400 |
| Garrison Property and Casualty Insurance Company | $1,468 |
| AAA | $1,619 |
| Encompass | $1,682 |
| Marysville Mutual Insurance Company | $1,997 |
| State Farm | $2,008 |
| Farmers Insurance | $2,048 |
| Farm Bureau Property and Casualty Insurance Company | $2,184 |
| American Family Insurance | $2,391 |
Homeowner Insurance by Age of Home
| Age of Home | Average Annual Premium |
| 5 | $2,020 |
| 20 | $2,998 |
| 35 | $3,013 |
| 50 | $2,942 |
| Average Across Ages | $2,743 |
Quadrant home insurance rate data as of 12/01/2019.
These rates are a sample set meant only for general comparison. Your own premium will vary. Learn how we tested rates for the cheapest home insurance companies in our methodology.
Top 3 Cheapest Homeowner Insurance Companies in Kansas
- Auto-Owners Insurance– $1,106
- Allstate– $1,319
- USAA– $1,400
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowner Insurance Companies in Kansas
- American Family Insurance – $2,391
- Farm Bureau Property & Casualty Insurance Company – $2,184
- Farmers Insurance– $2,048
Based on data from Quadrant, the cheapest homeowners insurance company in Kansas is Auto-Owners Insurance with an average annual premium of $1,106,. The data indicates the most expensive provider is American Family Insurance with an average premium of $2,391.
Just remember that this is based on the average amount for premiums with each company and does not necessarily represent what you would spend with any particular provider. The best way to get an accurate quote is to request one from each provider.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Is homeowners insurance required in Kansas?
No, there is no state law that requires you to have homeowners insurance in Kansas. However, your lender will likely require you to have a policy for at least the amount of your loan.
What is the cheapest homeowners insurance in Kansas?
Auto-Owners Insurance has the cheapest homeowners insurance in Kansas with an annual average premium of $1,106. However, keep in mind your actual premium may vary as these are just averages based on sample data.
Who are the cheapest providers in Kansas?
The cheapest providers in Kansas are Auto-Owners Insurance, Allstate, and USAA.
About the Authors
Lauren Ward is a personal finance writer who regularly covers consumer insurance products. Her work has appeared in a variety of online publications, including Bankrate and The Simple Dollar. She graduated from Georgetown University with a BA in Japanese.
