When it comes to insuring your home in the Liberty and Union state, you’ve got quite a few quality options to choose from. Because of the rough weather that frequents the area, getting the right level of homeowners insurance in North Dakota from the right company is of paramount importance.
On average, the best homeowners insurance in North Dakota is about $100 over the national average. Picking out a top provider starts with looking at companies that can meet your unique needs. Some leading companies to consider are Auto-Owners Insurance, Farmers Union, and MetLife.
The 5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies in North Dakota
Compare North Dakota’s top insurance companies
| Auto-Owners | Farmers Union | Metropolitan | Allstate | State Farm | |
| Our review | Our review | Our review | |||
| A.M. Best Financial Strength Rating | A++ | A- | A+ | A+ | A++ |
| J.D. Power Overall Customer Satisfaction Score | 843* | N/A | 824* | 829* | 829* |
| Online Quote Tool | ✓ | ✓ | |||
| Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates | Compare rates |
Best North Dakota Homeowners Insurance Companies
Auto-Owners Insurance
If you prefer doing your insurance business in person or by phone rather than digitally, Auto-Owners could be a good fit for you. Auto-Owners doesn’t have an online quote tool, nor can you report a claim online.
Best Pricing Options
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Policies available for home, car, life, and business
- Ideal for people who want a personal touch
- In business for over 100 years
Cons
- Minimal online tools and support
- Not rated by all credit agencies
Discounts available
- Multi-policy discount
- Green discount for paperless billing
- Paid-in-full discount
Unique features
- Multi-policy discount
- Green discount for paperless billing
- Paid-in-full discount
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Auto-Owners:
Farmers Union
Farmers Union is a regional insurer that is active in three states, among them North Dakota. Included in your basic policy are things like debris removal, fungi remediation, fire department service charge, and ordinance or law coverage.
Best for Local Expertise
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Company knowledgeable and focused on the upper Midwest region
- In business since 1945
- Policies for auto, small business, homeowners, commercial, renters, and farms
Cons
- Customer support only open during the week
- Little information available online
Discounts available
- Discounts not enumerated
Unique features
Instead of servicing the entire U.S., Farmers Union Insurance is laser-focused on the upper Midwest states. The company carries an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has over 400 agents in the area.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Home Insurance Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Metropolitan Life
Metropolitan Life, better known as MetLife, offers a few enticing coverages, including full replacement cost for your home and belongings, without an enormous premium.
Best for Replacement Cost Coverage
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- 24/7 claims support
- Identity protection services included with every policy
- A+ rating with AM Best
Cons
- Few digital tools for claims assistance
- Less-than-stellar reputation for customer support
Discounts available
- Certain employer discounts
- Bundle discounts for home, car, boat, and more
Unique features
One unique feature of MetLife homeowners insurance in North Dakota is that you get identity protection included in every policy. Additionally, all policies are highly customizable for things like hail, fire, theft, tornadoes, and more.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Property Claims Customer Satisfaction Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Metropolitan Life:
Allstate
Allstate’s strength is in the diversity of its offerings and discounts, which allow you to pick and choose the coverage that works best for your circumstances. It has a great website, with tons of useful information.
Best for New Homebuyers
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Several unique discount options to save on your homeowner’s insurance in North Dakota
- Major company with local agent support
- Your rate won’t go up just because you file a claim (Claim RateGuard)
Cons
- Mixed customer service reviews, depending on the agent
Discounts available
- Multi-policy discount
- Claim-free discount
- Early signing discount
Unique features
Allstate has a robust listing of endorsements, or add-on coverages, including sports equipment, yard and garden, identity theft restoration, and electronic data recovery. Its discount list is similarly packed, with options such as new roof savings, Claim RateGuard, home buyer discount, and a 55 and retired discount.
*J.D. Power 2020 U.S. Property Claims Customer Satisfaction Study, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on Allstate:
State Farm
State Farm offers above-average customer support along with competitive pricing and solid coverage options. For those new to home ownership, its Simple Insights blog can tell you everything you need to know about home ownership in general.
Best for Fast Claim Payments
Why we chose it
Why we chose it
Pros
- Informative resources on the company’s website about homeowners insurance
- Highest possible rating with AM Best (A++)
- In-depth online quote tool gives more accurate assessments
Cons
- Fewer policy discount options than some competitors
- Higher premiums
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
Unique features
State Farm has a more in-depth online quoting process, which can help you see a more personalized rate that best matches up with what you’re really going to end up paying. For those shopping rates, this can save you a lot of time in the process.
*J.D. Power 2019 Home Insurance Customer Satisfaction Survey, based on a 1,000-point scale
Further Reading on State Farm:
Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota
The average premium cost for a homeowner’s policy in North Dakota is $1,253, according to the non-profit Insurance Information Institute. That puts the state in 19th place among all the states, and is slightly more than the national average of $1,211.
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 credit rating and situation. It is recommended that you get multiple quotes when starting out as every company has its own algorithm for determining premiums.
Home Insurance add-ons that will further protect you
If you live in North Dakota, you know that the Rough Rider State is known for, well, rough weather. Severe winters with lots of snow are the norm, and increasingly, summer heat plays a disastrous role in encouraging forest fires and other heat-related disasters. And it doesn’t help that Tornado Alley touches the southern border of the state.
What this means is that you want a robust and comprehensive homeowner insurance policy in North Dakota; one that includes coverage for the sort of perils you might face. Most basic policies include coverage for snow, hail, and wind damage as well as fire, among the “named perils” that are covered. It’s worth checking yours, or asking your agent to do so, to ensure that your coverage extends to those calamities that are most likely to occur in your area.
If you’re not sure what you may need coverage for, a handy tool is Allstate’s Common & Costly Claims tool. Just type in your zip code and you can find the five most common, and five most costly, types of claim in your specific area.
Helpful Resources for North Dakota Homeowners
For homeowners in North Dakota looking for additional information, there are additional resources available. The North Dakota Insurance Department has a helpful guide that breaks down many of the basics residents of The Peace Garden State should know. The guide looks at rates, types of coverage, and has information for homes, condos, and mobile homes.
Homeowners Insurance FAQ
Is homeowners insurance required in North Dakota?
State law in North Dakota doesn’t require you to carry homeowner’s insurance. That being said, the company that services your mortgage most likely will require that you have insurance to cover any damages. Additionally, it may be fiscally responsible to keep your belongings covered in case of unexpected occurrences.
What is the cheapest homeowners insurance in North Dakota?
While the price is an important factor in selecting the best homeowners insurance companies in North Dakota, the level of service and coverage is just as important. Rates will vary based on your needs, but during some sample testing, Auto-Owners Insurance, Farmers Union, and MetLife came in as some of the less expensive homeowners insurance options.
About the Authors
Jason Lee is a seasoned writer with a passion for writing about insurance, banking, and personal finance. As a Las Vegas local and area business owner for a decade, he knows the ins and outs of the city better than anyone.
