What is the average length of time it takes for a home insurance claim to be paid?

The length of time it takes for a home insurance claim to be paid can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the complexity of the claim, the amount of damage and your policy specifics. Generally, insurers in many states are required to pay out claims within a “reasonable” time frame, which can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, more complex or costly claims can take longer to process, sometimes extending to months. For instance, states like Minnesota and Texas have specific regulations that require insurance companies to pay out accepted claims within five days, while other states like Florida allow up to 60 days. However, in states without specific timelines, insurance companies are expected to handle claims in a reasonable period, often defined by state law as 30 to 45 days to acknowledge a claim and up to 40 days to approve or deny it after receipt of proof of loss.

How often does the average homeowner file a claim?

According to statistics from Triple-I, about 5.5 percent of homeowners filed an insurance claim in 2022. This rate indicates that while the majority of homeowners may not need to file a claim in any given year, a significant number still do, reflecting the various risks and unforeseen events that homeowners can face like property damage from weather, theft or other accidents.

What state has the most home insurance claims?

The type of claim with the most severity between 2018 and 2022 was fire and lightning damage, which puts California at risk of filing more expensive claims than most other states. According to Statista, California has experienced more than 332,000 acres burned by wildfires in 2023. And in 2019 alone, fire damage caused nearly $8 billion in structure damage in the Golden State. However, it’s also worth noting that Florida has by far the highest number of FAIR Plan participants, with more than 1.5 million policies written. This type of policy is extended to homeowners who are considered too high risk to get insurance from the regular market, indicating that insurers have experienced a surge in claims there.

What percentage of home insurance claims are denied?

Statistics surrounding the number of denied claims are unavailable. Generally, claims may be denied for reasons like non-payment of premiums, filing a claim for something not covered by the policy or discrepancies in claim details. Claims can also be denied if an insurer believes the damage was preventable. For instance, many policies cover damage caused by falling objects. However, if you have a dead tree in your yard that you neglect to cut down and it falls onto your roof, your insurer may deny your claim. It’s important for homeowners to thoroughly understand their insurance policy and ensure all information is accurate when filing a claim. This can help reduce the likelihood of a claim being denied. If it is, homeowners have the right to ask for a detailed explanation and may have the option to appeal the decision.

Homeowners insurance statistics and facts

Written by

Lara Vukelich,

Edited by

Jessa Claeys

Published on November 20, 2024 | 5 min read

Bankrate is always editorially independent. To help readers understand how insurance affects their finances, we have licensed insurance professionals on staff who have spent a combined 47 years in the auto, home and life insurance industries. While we adhere to strict , this post may contain references to products from our partners. Here's an explanation of . Our content is backed by Coverage.com, LLC, a licensed entity (NPN: 19966249). For more information, please see our . Our is to ensure everything we publish is objective, accurate and trustworthy.

Images by Getty Images; Illustration by Issiah Davis/Bankrate

A home insurance policy provides valuable protection for your finances if your property and personal belongings are damaged or destroyed due to a covered loss like a fire, severe storm or break-in. As of 2023, data show that 88 percent of homeowners have an active home insurance policy.

Unlike auto insurance, home insurance is not required by law. However, many mortgage lenders require customers to obtain coverage. The cost of home insurance is dependent on a variety of personal factors like your location, the cost to rebuild your home and your claims history. Getting quotes from multiple home insurance providers can help you find the cheapest policy for your situation.

The latest statistics on homeowners insurance claims

Homeowners insurance claim statistics tell a compelling story about the importance of home insurance in the United States. Data also highlight the many factors that influence the type and frequency of claims in different parts of the country.

Recent home insurance claims statistics

According to a study, 5.5% of all insured homes had a claim in 2022. (Insurance Information Institute [Triple-I])
Only about 47% of homeowners said they prepared an inventory of their personal belongings to help document losses, according to a 2023 report. (Triple-I)
Bankrate’s 2023 Extreme Weather Survey indicated that 57% of U.S. adults have incurred costs due to extreme weather events over the past 10 years, such as hurricanes, tornados, wildfires, earthquakes, flooding or heavy snow. (Bankrate)
Between 2018 and 2022, the average property damage claim payout was $15,747. Fire and lightning claims had the highest average payout: $83,991. (Triple-I)
57% of U.S. adults believe climate, extreme weather events and the environment will have a negative effect on their personal finances in the next 10 years, according to Bankrate’s 2023 Extreme Weather Survey. (Bankrate)
While liability insurance claims are rare (making up just 0.09% of all homeowners insurance claims), they often have higher payouts than property damage claims. Between 2018 and 2022, the average liability insurance claim payout was $26,175. (Triple-I)

What are the most common causes of homeowners insurance claims?

Property damage claims are the most common type of home insurance loss. In 2022 (the most recent data available), wind and hail claims were the most common, followed by water damage and freezing claims. Theft is consistently the least common type of property damage claim. However, the main causes of property loss have fluctuated over the last several years. In the table below, you can see homeowners insurance claims statistics from 2018 to 2022.

Cause of property loss	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022
Wind and hail	40.5%	38.3%	48.3%	39.8%	40.7%
Fire and lightning	25.4%	21.1%	21.1%	23.3%	21.9%
Water damage and freezing	24.0%	29.0%	19.6%	23.4%	27.6%
Theft	1.0%	1.0%	0.6%	0.7%	0.7%
All other property damage	6.5%	7.2%	7.4%	9.8%	6.9%

Source: Triple-I

Home insurance statistics

Some states experience more claims than others. However, as the chart below demonstrates, claim severity has generally been on the rise from 2018 to 2022. This is partially due to an increase in the severity of natural events, such as hurricanes and winter storms.

Year	Claim severity
2018	$14,579
2019	$14,090
2020	$15,053
2021	$16,801
2022	$18,311

Source: Triple-I

Home insurance premiums state by state

The average cost of home insurance in the U.S. is $2,304 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, according to data from Quadrant Information Services. However, the rate you pay could be higher or lower based on your location and other factors.

For example, homeowners in Southern states generally pay higher rates due to the increased risk of severe weather. On the other hand, homeowners who live on the West Coast often pay lower rates because weather-related property damage claims are less likely. In the tables below, you can see the average home insurance cost in all 50 states and Washington, D.C., along with the most and least expensive states for coverage.

Not surprisingly, homeowners located in parts of the country that experience strong tropical storms, hurricanes and tornados commonly face some of the highest property insurance premiums. For instance, Nebraska and Florida residents pay the highest rates for insurance in the country. In the table below, you can see the most expensive states for home insurance and average annual premiums.

State Average annual premium for $300,000 in dwelling coverage

Nebraska $5,544

Florida $5,527

Oklahoma $5,049

Louisiana $4,296

Kansas $4,241

As one might expect, states that do not experience a high number of damaging weather events typically see more affordable home insurance — Vermont and Nevada are a couple of examples. But many states have average rates below the national average premium of $2,304 per year. The table below highlights the cheapest states for home insurance and average annual rates.

State Average annual premium for $300,000 in dwelling coverage

Vermont $806

Nevada $958

Delaware $966

New Hampshire $980

Alaska $986

Note that none of these five states have historically experienced catastrophic weather events on a regular basis. However, many factors impact home insurance premiums, and regional conditions can affect whether a rate will be higher or lower than the national average, even within the same state.

Similarly, premiums can vary significantly by ZIP code depending on crime patterns. Not only will your home insurance rates likely increase following a burglary, but you may also pay higher rates if other homeowners in your neighborhood experience higher-than-average rates of property crime.

Home insurance industry trends

The home insurance industry continues to evolve significantly under the pressure of economic fluctuations and escalating climate-related risks. Among the most impactful factors are the challenges faced in states like Florida and California, where the risk of natural disasters has led to substantial changes in the insurance landscape. More recently, homeowners in Texas are also facing fewer home insurance options due to an increase in hurricanes and winter storm damage.

In Florida, a combination of high litigation costs and an increased frequency of severe storms has compelled many insurance companies to withdraw from the state. Heavily impacted by lawsuits, insurance companies like United Insurance Holdings Corp., Southern Fidelity and Weston Property & Casualty have pulled out or gone into liquidation. These departures have left homeowners scrambling for coverage amid skyrocketing premiums.

In California, similar challenges have emerged, largely due to the state’s severe wildfire risk. In recent years, heightened wildfire activity and rising construction costs have pushed major insurers like State Farm, Allstate and Farmers to limit new homeowner policies. The situation is exacerbated by Proposition 103, which restricts how much insurers can raise rates, further complicating their ability to adjust to increasing risks.

In Texas, an increase in natural disasters, particularly hurricanes, is causing some insurance companies to flee the state. Foremost and Progressive have both stopped issuing new homeowners policies in 2024. The companies are also halting renewals of existing policies, telling existing customers that their coverage will end at the end of their current term.

Despite the retreat of some insurers from high-risk states, new companies have stepped in to fill the void. In Florida, recent approvals for six new companies to take on policies from the state-run Citizens Insurance indicate a dynamic shift, suggesting that while the market faces difficulties, it also offers opportunities for new entrants. Meanwhile, in California, adjustments are being considered to allow insurers to use modern wildfire risk models to set rates, which could entice insurers to return or expand their offerings in the state.

The challenges in the home insurance markets of Texas, California and Florida are indicative of broader trends that could reshape the national landscape of property insurance. As major insurers recalibrate their strategies to manage risks associated with climate change and regulatory environments, other states could experience similar shifts. This could lead to an increase in market volatility, with potential spikes in premiums and shifts in policy availability across the U.S.

Additionally, the responses from state governments and insurers in places like California and Florida could serve as models for other regions facing similar issues, possibly leading to significant changes in national insurance regulations and market practices. As these states navigate unique challenges, their experiences may well set precedents for how insurers and policymakers nationwide approach the growing risks associated with natural disasters and economic shifts in the home insurance sector.

Average homeowners insurance cost by company

Although home insurance premiums are largely based on personal factors, rates will also depend on your home insurance company. Average rate data show that some home insurance providers have lower rates than other insurers. This is why it’s important to get quotes from multiple companies before choosing a provider. Below, you can see the average cost of home insurance from some of the biggest and most reputable carriers in the industry.

Insurance company	Average annual premium for $300K dwelling coverage
Allstate	$2,289
American Family	$1,698
Auto-Owners	$1,696
Chubb	$3,567
Erie Insurance	$1,871
Farmers	$2,672
Nationwide	$1,772
State Farm	$1,984
Travelers	$2,448
USAA	$1,451

Of course, the actual premium for any home insurance policy can vary significantly from the average cost based on myriad factors. On the plus side, discounts may be available depending on individual circumstances and the company you choose.

Frequently asked questions

The length of time it takes for a home insurance claim to be paid can vary significantly depending on several factors, including the complexity of the claim, the amount of damage and your policy specifics. Generally, insurers in many states are required to pay out claims within a “reasonable” time frame, which can be anywhere from a few days to several weeks. However, more complex or costly claims can take longer to process, sometimes extending to months.

For instance, states like Minnesota and Texas have specific regulations that require insurance companies to pay out accepted claims within five days, while other states like Florida allow up to 60 days. However, in states without specific timelines, insurance companies are expected to handle claims in a reasonable period, often defined by state law as 30 to 45 days to acknowledge a claim and up to 40 days to approve or deny it after receipt of proof of loss.
According to statistics from Triple-I, about 5.5 percent of homeowners filed an insurance claim in 2022. This rate indicates that while the majority of homeowners may not need to file a claim in any given year, a significant number still do, reflecting the various risks and unforeseen events that homeowners can face like property damage from weather, theft or other accidents.
The type of claim with the most severity between 2018 and 2022 was fire and lightning damage, which puts California at risk of filing more expensive claims than most other states. According to Statista, California has experienced more than 332,000 acres burned by wildfires in 2023. And in 2019 alone, fire damage caused nearly $8 billion in structure damage in the Golden State. However, it’s also worth noting that Florida has by far the highest number of FAIR Plan participants, with more than 1.5 million policies written. This type of policy is extended to homeowners who are considered too high risk to get insurance from the regular market, indicating that insurers have experienced a surge in claims there.
Statistics surrounding the number of denied claims are unavailable. Generally, claims may be denied for reasons like non-payment of premiums, filing a claim for something not covered by the policy or discrepancies in claim details. Claims can also be denied if an insurer believes the damage was preventable. For instance, many policies cover damage caused by falling objects. However, if you have a dead tree in your yard that you neglect to cut down and it falls onto your roof, your insurer may deny your claim.

It’s important for homeowners to thoroughly understand their insurance policy and ensure all information is accurate when filing a claim. This can help reduce the likelihood of a claim being denied. If it is, homeowners have the right to ask for a detailed explanation and may have the option to appeal the decision.

Methodology

Bankrate utilizes Quadrant Information Services to analyze November 2024 rates for all ZIP codes and carriers in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Quoted rates are based on married male and female homeowners with a clean claim history, good credit and the following coverage limits:

Coverage A, Dwelling: $300,000
Coverage B, Other Structures: $30,000
Coverage C, Personal Property: $150,000
Coverage D, Loss of Use: $60,000
Coverage E, Liability: $500,000
Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,000

The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible, a $500 hail deductible and a 2 percent hurricane deductible (or the next closest deductible amounts that are available) where separate deductibles apply.

These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes will differ.