Guide to Navigating Home Insurance Without Discrimination as an LGBTQ Individual

• Deciding What You Need
• Identifying an LGBTQ-Friendly Provider
• LGBTQ-Friendly Insurers
• Resources for Finding Other Allies
• Our Final Word

Quantitative evidence shows LGBTQ people still face significant barriers in housing access and finance. The National Fair Housing Alliance documented 33,007 fair housing complaints in 2022, among the highest totals on record. HUD’s national paired-testing found heterosexual couples received more favorable rental responses than same-sex couples in over 15% of email tests. In mortgage lending, a large-scale, peer‑reviewed study shows same‑sex co‑applicants are 3–8% less likely to be approved and pay 0.02–0.20 percentage points more in fees/interest despite equal or lower default risk—an aggregate excess cost of roughly $86 million annually for same‑sex borrowers. At the same time, homeownership remains uneven: about one-half of LGBTQ adults own their homes versus roughly seven in ten non‑LGBTQ adults, with substantially lower ownership among transgender adults nationwide. For couples navigating property titling, taxes, and estates, The Human Rights Campaign notes that unmarried and some same‑sex couples may encounter different tax/estate treatment; review title and estate‑tax planning carefully via the official guidance on property ownership and transfer.

 Insurance around housing presents its own issues. While many states prohibit unfair discrimination, there is no consolidated, national SOGI‑tagged dataset for homeowners/renters insurance underwriting or claims outcomes. Quantitative insurance‑specific evidence is limited compared with rentals and mortgages; if you encounter differential treatment (adding both partners to a policy, claims handling, or cancellations), document details, escalate to your state regulator, and consider carriers with clear SOGI‑inclusive nondiscrimination statements and public equality benchmarks.

Federal enforcement has strengthened. Since 2021, HUD enforces the Fair Housing Act’s ban on sex discrimination to include sexual orientation and gender identity nationwide—expanding complaint intake and investigations even where state statutes are silent (HUD memorandum). State and local protections remain uneven: just under half of states explicitly include SOGI in housing nondiscrimination laws, while others rely on federal enforcement; you can also review HRC’s state maps. Housing and Urban Development’s Equal Access Rule and various local and statewide laws provide additional avenues for protection and redress.

Affordability headwinds compound these challenges. Mortgage rates more than doubled from 2020 lows, peaking at 7.79% in Oct. 2023 and holding in the mid‑6% to low‑7% range through 2025 (Freddie Mac PMMS). On a $400,000 30‑year loan, a rate jump from 3% to ~7% raises the monthly principal‑and‑interest from roughly $1,680 to $2,660—about a 58% increase. Home prices also set new highs into 2025 (FHFA HPI). Because LGBTQ adults are less likely to be homeowners and more likely to be renters, these conditions delay first purchases and can widen ownership gaps. Still, you can build an affirming team—real‑estate lawyers, inclusive agents and lenders, and homeowners insurance providers—who know your rights, including the CFPB’s interpretation that ECOA’s sex discrimination ban covers sexual orientation and gender identity in credit decisions (ECOA/Reg B).

Deciding What You Need

Homeowners policies vary widely. Standard forms exclude floods and earthquakes, so add separate flood or earthquake coverage where hazards warrant. Because LGBTQ adults are more likely to be first‑time buyers and have lower ownership rates than non‑LGBTQ adults (about 50% vs ~70%), calibrate coverage to protect scarce savings: ensure dwelling limits reflect full rebuild cost, validate personal property limits (and endorsements for valuables), and consider loss‑of‑use, liability, and ordinance or law coverage beyond bare minimums.

Every policy has limits and exclusions. Maintain a documented home inventory and review it annually so your personal property and ALE (additional living expense) limits are adequate. If you co‑own with a partner, confirm both names appear on title and the insurance declarations page, and align title form (e.g., joint tenancy with right of survivorship) with your estate plan—an issue highlighted in HRC’s property ownership guidance.

Some of the factors that influence your policy’s cost include location risk, home age/value, and claims history. When shopping, add a fairness screen: ask carriers for written customer nondiscrimination policies including sexual orientation and gender identity; look for strong performance on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI 2025, “Equality 100” criteria); and consult inclusive real‑estate pros—such as a real estate agent who is an advocate to the LGBTQ community or specialty advisers like LGBT Financial—for carrier and coverage insights.

Identifying an LGBTQ-Friendly Provider

Look for verifiable signals, not just Pride marketing. Strong indicators include: explicit SOGI nondiscrimination policies for employees and customers; top-tier scores on HRC’s Corporate Equality Index (CEI 2025) with “Equality 100: Leader in LGBTQ+ Workplace Inclusion”; inclusion in HRC’s Buyer’s Guide; and supplier inclusion through NGLCC’s Best-of-the-Best. Where applicable (health benefits), plan designs should avoid categorical exclusions and reflect current nondiscrimination rules (see ACA Section 1557). Many LGBTQ‑friendly insurance providers also maintain an active presence in the community and treat same‑sex marriages, civil unions, and domestic partnerships equitably across policies and customer service.

When looking for a company to go with, Jonathan D. Lovitz, Senior Vice President of the National LGBT Chamber of Commerce, said, “look for an indication that the company is an LGBT-inclusive corporation or an NGLCC Certified Business Enterprise.” That includes their diversity, fair and equal treatment policies and their involvement in the community.

Employee diversity

The insurance sector has expanded LGBTQ inclusion. The 2017 Corporate Equality Index has evolved into CEI 2025, where many large carriers earn “Equality 100” by adopting SOGI protections, ERGs, and transgender‑inclusive health coverage; HRC reports that well over 90% of CEI participants offer at least one plan covering medically necessary gender‑affirming care. Inclusion matters because LGBTQ people constitute a growing share of the workforce and customers—7.6% of U.S. adults identify as LGBTQ. Industry culture indicators like the Lloyd’s Culture Dashboard show multi‑year improvements in inclusion, and UK regulators now require large financial firms to set D&I strategies and collect/report workforce diversity data (including SOGI where lawful) under new FCA/PRA rules with phased implementation from 2025–2026 (FCA policy statement). With this momentum, insurers recognized as “best places to work for LGBT equality” are better positioned to serve diverse customers.

Fair and equal treatment

Commitment shows up in policy and practice: SOGI‑inclusive nondiscrimination statements; respectful name/pronoun use in service; inclusive forms; and manager/staff training. For insurers and health plans subject to the ACA, the 2024 Section 1557 final rule prohibits categorical exclusions for gender‑affirming care and bars discriminatory benefit design and administration (HHS/OCR). These elements—combined with transparent complaint handling and supplier inclusion—are hallmarks of providers that align values with customer experience.

Involvement in the community

Beyond internal policies, look for visible, sustained engagement: participation in local Pride events and community programs; partnerships with LGBTQ nonprofits; and supplier‑diversity commitments, including recognition in NGLCC’s Best-of-the-Best. These actions complement policy change and signal long‑term values.

LGBTQ-Friendly Insurers

Evaluate both the company and the product. At the corporate level, prefer carriers recognized in HRC’s CEI 2025 and HRC’s Buyer’s Guide. For health benefits, confirm plan‑level details using Out2Enroll’s 2025 marketplace resources and check your state’s policy environment via KFF’s 2025 tracker. Verify product documents and medical policies where applicable, as coverage varies by state and line of business.

Resources for Finding Other Allies

Buying and selling homes is complex, and data show LGBTQ buyers face both affordability pressures and measurable discrimination risks. Use allies—lawyers, realtors, insurance providers, and lenders—who understand your rights (FHA coverage of SOGI since 2021; ECOA/Reg B protections in credit) and who can help you compare options objectively and advocate if problems arise.

Legal Resources

A real estate lawyer can help with title form (including right of survivorship), co‑ownership agreements, and closing documents—and can address discrimination issues quickly. Since 2021, HUD has directed agencies to accept and investigate SOGI‑related housing complaints under the Fair Housing Act (HUD enforcement memo). If you experience differential treatment from housing providers, agents, or appraisers, your attorney can assist with documentation and complaint filing.

For those who do not wish to get married or enter a domestic partnership, ensure estate, tax, and titling choices are coordinated. LGBTQ families may face distinct tax burdens depending on relationship status and state law; reference materials like MAP’s analysis of unequal taxation and HRC’s property ownership guide and consult counsel to mitigate risk.

To make sure you have all the resources you need to land the perfect home, we’ve provided a list of lawyer resources that have proven to be an ally of the LGBT community. 

• Pride Legal
• The LGBT Bar
• GLAD Legal Advocates & Defenders
• Campaign for Southern Equality

Real Estate Resources

Working with an allied realtor reduces risk. HUD’s national testing shows initial rental inquiries favored different‑sex couples in more than 15% of tests, so have your agent document interactions, escalate concerns, and ensure your fair‑housing rights are respected. Ask about neighborhoods’ inclusivity and local protections—state/local SOGI laws are uneven—and use agent networks that prioritize LGBTQ clients’ needs.

Here are some resources to find a realtor:

• Pride Source
• NAGLREP
• GayRealEstate.com
• Gay Realty Network

Lenders

To verify an “LGBTQ‑friendly” lender, apply a short evidence‑based checklist: (1) explicit customer/employee nondiscrimination policies that include SOGI and Fair Lending governance aligned with ECOA/Reg B; (2) workforce equality signals such as a strong, current HRC CEI score (Equality 100) with transgender‑inclusive benefits and active ERGs; (3) inclusive customer‑identity features (e.g., chosen name on cards/profiles via Mastercard True Name where applicable); (4) public advocacy (e.g., HRC’s Business Coalition for the Equality Act); and (5) accountability data—review patterns in the CFPB Consumer Complaint Database, CRA/fair‑lending disclosures, and adverse‑action reasons. These checks matter because disparities persist in mortgage outcomes for same‑sex co‑applicants (3–8% lower approvals; higher costs).

Our Final Word

LGBTQ buyers still encounter systemic barriers—NFHA recorded 33,007 fair housing complaints, HUD testing detects unequal rental responses in over 15% of tests, and research shows same‑sex co‑applicants face higher denial and pricing odds in mortgages. The homeownership gap (about 50% of LGBTQ adults vs ~70% of non‑LGBTQ adults) persists. Yet protections are stronger than before: HUD enforces the FHA to cover SOGI nationwide, and the CFPB applies ECOA’s sex discrimination ban to sexual orientation and gender identity. Build a team that understands these rights and will document, report, and challenge discrimination while helping you secure the best coverage and financing.

If you are currently researching for the best LGBTQ-friendly homeowner companies, take a look at the following reviews:

• Farmers Insurance
• Liberty Mutual
• Travelers