North Dakota homeowners have numerous natural disasters to contend with, including strong summer storms and fierce, snowy winters. When the risk of home damage is so high, having the best home insurance company for your needs could be important to your overall financial health. Reviews.com analyzed the biggest insurance companies by market share in the Peace Garden State to help you find the right option for you.
The 4 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Dakota
To determine the best home insurance companies in North Dakota, we first analyzed Bankrate.com’s 2021 premium data. We also took coverages, discounts, and third-party scores into consideration. Based on our research, the following four companies offer some of the best home insurance in North Dakota:
- Auto-Owners: Best for Discounts
- Allstate: Best for Coverage Options
- State Farm: Best for Local Agents
- Country Financial: Best for Cheap Rates
Compare the Best Home Insurance Companies in North Dakota
While our research method found these four carriers to be among the best, the best company for you will ultimately depend on your individual wants and needs. Shopping around might help you find a carrier that fits your circumstances.
| Average Annual Premium for $250K in Dwelling Coverage* | AM Best Rating AM Best rates insurance providers creditworthiness. Ratings are based on the provider’s ability to follow through with a payout when a consumer files a claim. | J.D. Power Customer Satisfaction Score** J.D. Power scores are based on surveys for customer satisfaction and product quality. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pin Auto-Owners | $1,704 | A++ | 831 | |
| Pin Allstate | $1,708 | A+ | 829 | |
| Pin State Farm | $2,653 | A++ | 835 | |
| Pin Country Financial | $1,441 | A+ | 830 |
Information accurate as of March 2022
*Premium data provided by Bankrate.com. Based on $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
**J.D. Power 2021 Home Insurance Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Auto-Owners
Best for Discounts
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Average rate is lower than the state average
- Endorsements can be added to personalize coverage
- Numerous discounts available
Cons
- No online quotes available
- Not available in all states
- Not the cheapest average rate on our list
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto
- Umbrella
- Boat
- Trailer
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Life multi-policy
- Green discount
- Water shut-off system
- Automatic backup generator
Allstate
Best for Coverage Options
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Numerous optional coverages available
- Several discounts could help you save
- Average rate is lower than the state’s average
Cons
- AM Best financial strength rating is lower than some competitors
- Lower-than-average claims satisfaction score from J.D. Power
- Higher-than-average NAIC complaint index score
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto
- Condo
- Motorcycle
- Business
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Welcome & loyalty
- Home buyer
- Easy Pay Plan
- Early signing
State Farm
Best for Local Agents
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Superior AM Best financial strength rating
- Above-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Above-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction score
Cons
- Average premium is much higher than the state average
- Fewer optional coverages than most competitors
- Fewer discounts than most competitors
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Rental property
- Personal articles
- Life
- Business
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Multiple line discount
- Home alert protection discount (fire, smoke, or burglar alarms)
- Roofing discounts based on the type of roofing products on the house
Country Financial
Best for Cheap Rates
WHY WE CHOSE IT
Why we chose it
Pros
- Lowest average annual premium on our list
- Higher-than-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction score
- Local agents available
Cons
- Fewer endorsements than some competitors
- AM Best financial strength rating is lower than some competitors
- Not available in all states
OTHER POLICIES OFFERED
- Auto
- Recreational vehicle
- Farm
- Life
STANDOUT DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE
- Loyalty
- Good payer
- Safe home
- Smart home
*Premium data provided by Bankrate.com. Based on $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
**J.D. Power 2021 Home Insurance Study. Based on a 1,000-point scale.
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota
According to 2021 premium data from Bankrate.com, the average cost of home insurance is $1,841 per year for a policy with $250,000 in dwelling coverage. This is quite a bit more than the national average cost of home insurance, which is $1,312 per year for the same coverage level.
Your own cost will vary. There are multiple factors that come into play in determining your policy premiums, ranging from the age of your home and its location to your claims history. You may want to consider getting multiple home insurance quotes so you can compare rates and options.
Top 3 Cheapest Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Dakota
| Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| Farmers Union Mutual | $1,070 |
| North Star Mutual | $1,087 |
| EMC | $1,271 |
*Data from Bankrate.com for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
Top 3 Most Expensive Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Dakota
| Company | Average Annual Premium* |
| Farmers | $3,283 |
| State Farm | $2,653 |
| American Family | $1,813 |
*Data from Bankrate.com for $250,000 in dwelling coverage.
Key Things to Know About Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota
North Dakota homeowners have numerous considerations when it comes to home insurance. Winters can be harsh and cold, leading to snow and ice damage as well as frozen pipes and water damage. Summers can bring strong storms and damaging winds. Understanding North Dakota’s top causes of loss could help you choose the right coverages for your policy.
Home insurance coverage options
North Dakota homeowners have to contend with some serious weather threats all year long. If you live in the state, consider these common causes of damage and the insurance coverage you might want:
- Tornadoes and strong storms: North Dakota recorded 21 tornadoes in 2021. Even when summer storms don’t produce tornadoes, the strong winds, hail, and heavy rain could damage your home. While wind damage and water damage from storms is typically covered automatically, you might want to review your policy to familiarize yourself with your coverage to see if there are any gaps.
- Flooding: The Red River forms North Dakota’s eastern border. While the area is scenic, the counties found in the Red River Valley, and a few North Dakota counties that are farther west of the river, have an increased risk of flooding. Home insurance does not cover flood damage. You’ll need to buy a separate flood insurance policy for that kind of coverage.
- Wildfires: In 2021, 946 wildfires burned nearly 50,000 acres of land in North Dakota. While home insurance typically covers fire damage, you might want to confirm with your agent, especially if you are in a high-risk area.
Homeowners Insurance Frequently Asked Questions
Methodology
We evaluated the companies based on their third-party agency ratings for customer experience, financial stability, and coverage options to determine which might be the best providers.
To compare home insurance companies across the board, we considered the following factors:
- Customer Ratings: Customer ratings are an indication of satisfaction with the overall experience with a company. We measured this using 2021 J.D. Power Home Insurance Study ratings.
- Coverage: As there isn’t one company to fit everyone’s needs, we evaluated companies by the amount of coverage options and add-ons available.
- Confidence: It is extremely important for insurance companies to fulfill customers’ claims. Companies with sound financial strength ratings indicate a positive history of being able to pay out claims. We measured this using AM Best ratings.
- Customer Experience: The amount of complaints a company receives is an indicator of the overall customer experience as it expresses trends with dissatisfaction. We have based this measure on the National Association of Insurance Companies National Complaint Index.
Rates are based on quoted annual premiums from Bankrate.com. These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.
The coverage limits for home insurance rates reflect the following coverage and limits:
- Coverage A, Dwelling: $250,000
- Coverage B, Other Structures: $25,000
- Coverage C, Personal Property: $125,000
- Coverage D, Loss of Use: $50,000
- Coverage E, Liability: $300,000
- Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000
The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible (if required).
About the Authors
Cate Deventer is a writer and licensed insurance agent. She has a Bachelor’s degree in theatre and is currently pursuing a degree in English with a concentration in professional and technical writing from Indiana University East. Her work has been featured on Reviews.com and Bankrate.com, and she’s passionate about helping people take charge of their finances. In her free time, she likes to read thrillers and sci-fi novels, garden, and toss tennis balls for her dog.
