Best homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh, PA (2024)
We looked at average costs, customer service ratings, and policy options from multiple top insurers to find the best and cheapest home insurance companies in Pittsburgh.
By
Rachael BrennanRachael BrennanSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertRachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Edited by
Pat HowardPat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
|
Reviewed by
Pat HowardPat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Updated|4 min read
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
Situated in the crosshairs of both the Ohio and Allegheny Rivers, Pittsburgh’s propensity for flooding is likely to get worse in the coming decades. Despite this fact, homeowners insurance in the city is relatively inexpensive when compared to the rest of the country.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,138 per year or $95 a month. This is around 3% higher than the statewide average of $1,101 per year, and about 35% lower than the national average of $1,754.
Compare home insurance rates in Pittsburgh
Compare the best cheap homeowners insurance companies in Pittsburgh
Of the companies we evaluated, Allstate has the lowest rate with an average yearly cost of $621. While cost is an important factor when shopping for insurance, it also helps to choose a company known for their quality customer service. State Farm, Allstate, Travelers, and Nationwide all received high scores in customer and claim satisfaction with J.D. Power.
To find the best cheap homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh, Policygenius rated over a dozen of the largest insurance companies in Pennsylvania across several categories, such as average policy cost, financial strength ratings with AM Best, customer and claims satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, available policy options, and more.
Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
2024 Policygenius award winner
State Farm
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.8
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Offers earthquake insurance
Wind/hail deductible
Offers wildfire insurance
Why we chose it
State Farm is one of the top overall home insurance companies in Pittsburgh thanks to its large selection of policy options for most home types, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
Offers large discounts when you bundle your home and auto insurance
Cons
20% more complaints filed with the NAIC than other companies of its size
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
More details
Why State Farm is one of the best overall companies in Pittsburgh
We like State Farm's robust coverage options, including extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, appliance coverage, inflation guard, and others.
State Farm is also known for its dependable customer service — from shopping and setting up your policy, to making changes to your coverage, to filing a claim.
Plus, while many competitors don't have the financial strength to pay out claims after several natural disasters in the same year, State Farm isn't one of them. It earns the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability — only six insurance companies out of nearly 70 we reviewed hold this title.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Pittsburgh average?
The average cost of State Farm home insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,084 per year, which is a little less than the average annual premium in Pittsburgh of $1,138 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through State Farm or by contacting your local State Farm agent.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Mobile app
Bundle home & auto
Why we chose it
Erie's wide range of coverage options, industry-best customer service ratings, and affordable rates make it one of the best home insurance options in the country.
Pros and cons
Pros
Cheaper than average rates
Guaranteed replacement cost comes standard on Erie policies
Excellent customer service and claims satisfaction ratings
Cons
Just three available discounts
Can’t get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why we chose Erie
Home insurance policies from Erie come standard with guaranteed replacement cost coverage — which you often have to pay extra for at other companies. A basic policy also covers lost and misplaced items, jewelry, and gift cards to closed businesses.
Erie also offers a range of add-ons that you can purchase, like short-term rental coverage, equipment breakdown coverage, water backup protection, underground service line coverage, and more.
How do Erie home insurance rates compare to the average in Pittsburgh?
The average cost of Erie home insurance in Pittsburgh is $782 per year, which is 31% cheaper than the average annual premium in Pittsburgh of $1,138 per year.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Pittsburgh for combining high claims satisfaction scores with a range of coverage add-ons and discounts.
Pros and cons
Pros
High claims satisfaction score
Receives few complaints from policyholders
Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage
Cons
Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys
More details
Why we chose Farmers
Farmers earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it was below-average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Farmers also receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
You can add some impressive coverages to a basic Farmers home insurance policy, like guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.
Depending on where you live, you could save up to 45% on your auto insurance and up to 34% on your home insurance when you bundle policies with Farmers, according to the company website.
Even more, Farmers has up to 16 additional discounts and money-saving policy perks. For context, Farmers competitors offer an average of around seven discounts total.
How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Pittsburgh?
The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,201 per year, which is just 6% more expensive than the average annual premium in Pittsburgh of $1,138 per year.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Mobile app
New homebuyer discount
Offers extended replacement cost
Why we chose it
Nationwide's home insurance features an extensive range of comprehensive coverage and policy options. It also received high marks for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power, which means you can rely on Nationwide when it matters most.
Pros and cons
Pros
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Highly rated for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction and digital experience ratings
Rates are more expensive than average
More details
Why we chose Nationwide
Nationwide offers a large selection of coverage add-ons. Some of these include guaranteed and extended replacement cost coverage, better roof replacement, new belongings coverage, water backup protection, and equipment breakdown coverage.
Nationwide has also received high ratings from J.D. Power for its claims satisfaction, and it ranks fifth on J.D. Power's Property Claims Satisfaction Study from 2022. The company also receives far fewer complaints than other insurers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
How do Nationwide home insurance rates compare to the Pittsburgh average?
The average cost of Nationwide home insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,153 per year, so around the annual city average of $1,138.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Whether you’re looking for basic or comprehensive home insurance coverage, Allstate is a standout option. Airbnb hosts may also like Allstate thanks to HostAdvantage — its affordable short-term rental coverage that can be easily added to any policy.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers some of the lowest rates in the state
Large list of discounts
A+ credit rating with A.M. Best
Cons
Beginning to pull back coverage in high-risk areas
Customer experience scores with J.D. Power are below the segment average
More details
Why we chose Allstate
Allstate's lower-than-average premiums, high customer satisfaction ratings, and excellent coverage options make it one of the top choices for homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh.
Allstate also offers a few discounts that will be easy for many people to qualify for, like discounts for setting up automatic payments, bundling policies, and signing up for coverage before your current policy expires.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Pittsburgh average?
The average annual cost of an Allstate home insurance policy in Pittsburgh is $621 per year, 45% cheaper than the city average of $1,138 per year.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
The average cost of home insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,138 per year, or $95 a month, for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This is around 3% cheaper than the average annual cost of $1,101 for homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania, and about 35% lower than the national average.
Pittsburgh home insurance rates by ZIP code
Home insurance rates can vary substantially depending on which ZIP code your home is located in, as homes in certain Pittsburgh neighborhoods may be more prone to extreme weather damage or property crime than others.
To help you find out how much home insurance costs where you live, we calculated average home insurance rates by ZIP code in Pittsburgh.
ZIP code
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
15237
$1,073
-3%
15235
$1,161
5%
15206
$1,207
10%
15212
$1,213
10%
15213
$1,043
-5%
15210
$1,193
8%
15217
$1,152
5%
15205
$1,160
5%
15216
$1,150
4%
15228
$1,109
1%
Collapse table
Cheapest ZIP codes for home insurance in Pittsburgh
With an average home insurance rate of $992 per year, the 15276 ZIP code is the most affordable area for home insurance in Pittsburgh.
ZIP code
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
15276
$992
-10%
15295
$995
-10%
15289
$1,011
-8%
15282
$1,018
-8%
15290
$1,035
-6%
15213
$1,043
-5%
15272
$1,043
-5%
15208
$1,057
-4%
15204
$1,069
-3%
15237
$1,073
-3%
Collapse table
Most expensive areas for homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh
With an average annual premium of $1,237, the 15233 ZIP code is the most expensive ZIP code in Pittsburgh for home insurance. If you live one of these ZIP codes, your rates might be among the highest in the city.
Pittsburgh home insurance costs by coverage amount
Along with your home's location, your homeowners insurance premiums are primarily based on how much dwelling coverage is in your policy. This is the centerpiece of your home insurance coverage, covering the cost to repair or rebuild your home after a covered disaster.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance based on coverage amount.
Dwelling coverage limit
Average annual cost
$100,000
$553
$200,000
$845
$300,000
$1,138
$400,000
$1,440
$500,000
$1,810
Pittsburgh home insurance costs by deductible amount
Your home insurance deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying on each claim before insurance kicks in to help cover the cost of repairing or replacing your property. A higher deductible means lower insurance premiums, but it also means you're responsible for paying more out of pocket when you file a claim.
Here are the average rates for homeowners coverage by deductible amount.
Deductible
Average annual cost
$500
$1,168
$1,000
$1,215
$2,000
$943
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Pittsburgh
Based on our analysis, Cumberland Mutual, Allstate, and Westfield Insurance are the three cheapest home insurance companies in Pittsburgh, with average premiums citywide ranging from $483 to $726 per year.
Cheapest home insurance in Pittsburgh if you have poor credit
A bad credit score does more than just cost you a few dollars in late payment fees — it can also make your auto and home insurance rates thousands of dollars higher.
Here are the average rates for homeowners insurance for Pittsburgh residents with poor credit.
Company
Average annual cost
Cumberland Mutual
$775
Donegal Insurance Group
$1,141
Nationwide
$1,153
Penn National Insurance
$1,248
Selective Insurance
$1,253
Westfield Insurance
$1,259
USAA
$1,507
Progressive
$1,715
Pure Insurance
$1,812
Erie
$1,970
State Farm
$1,984
Allstate
$2,302
Farmers
$2,509
Chubb
$3,590
Travelers
$10,592
Collapse table
Cheapest home insurance in Pittsburgh if you have an older home
Insurance carriers consider older homes to have a higher risk of damage or loss compared to newer homes since they're constructed with older and more difficult to replace materials. Additionally, certain structural components in older homes, like the roof or plumbing systems, may not be up to code.
Here are the average homeowners insurance rates for Pittsburgh residents with older homes.
Company
Average annual cost
Cumberland Mutual
$483
Allstate
$620
Westfield Insurance
$739
Erie
$825
USAA
$899
Penn National Insurance
$924
State Farm
$1,084
Nationwide
$1,161
Farmers
$1,163
Progressive
$1,235
Donegal Insurance Group
$1,251
Selective Insurance
$1,321
Chubb
$1,394
Pure Insurance
$1,509
Travelers
$4,148
Collapse table
Cheapest homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh if you have a history of claims
Claims history is one of the biggest factors that insurance companies use when calculating your home insurance premiums. If you have multiple claims on your record, your insurer will likely view you as a risk for filing future claims and may charge you higher rates as a result.
Here's the cheapest home insurance companies in Pittsburgh for a homeowner with three claims within a five-year period on their record.
Company
Average annual cost
Cumberland Mutual
$865
Westfield Insurance
$868
Allstate
$1,114
USAA
$1,184
State Farm
$1,237
Erie
$1,611
Farmers
$1,682
Donegal Insurance Group
$1,956
Penn National Insurance
$1,993
Selective Insurance
$2,370
Chubb
$2,428
Pure Insurance
$2,551
Nationwide
$2,758
Progressive
$3,534
Travelers
$4,521
Collapse table
Need more information on home insurance in Pennsylvania?
How to get homeowners insurance quotes in Pittsburgh
While there are many options for affordable homeowners insurance policies in Pittsburgh, finding the right policy for you may involve shopping around and comparing quotes. Here are some steps to help you get started:
5 steps to buying homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh, PA
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. A Policygenius expert can help to answer your questions, determine how much coverage you need, go over your options regarding your deductible, and more–all at no cost to you.
Ask about the Pennsylvania FAIR plan. If you have been turned down for insurance due to high risk factors, the Pennsylvania FAIR plan could help you buy the insurance you need to protect your home.
Figure out how much you can afford to pay for your deductible. Since the cost of your policy will go up when you choose a lower deductible, weigh the option of a lower premium versus the out of pocket expense of multiple deductibles. A Policygenius agent can help determine the best deductible for your needs.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Not all insurance companies calculate their rates using the same factors, so a Policygenius agent can help you compare quotes to see what rates you can get based on your needs.
Choose your policy, sign it, and pay your first premium. Once you find the insurance policy that’s the best fit for you, a Policygenius agent can prepare the paperwork and cancel your old policy. All you have to do is sign and make your first payment.
Compare home insurance rates in Pittsburgh
Frequently asked questions
How much is homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average for homeowners insurance in Pennsylvania is $1,303. The average cost of homeowners insurance in Pittsburgh is $1,241 per year or $103 a month.
Is homeowners insurance required in Pennsylvania?
While homeowners insurance is not legally required in the state of Pennsylvania, most mortgage lenders mandate it for borrowers.
Do home insurance claims increase premiums?
Yes, once you make a claim, your insurance company believes it is likely you will make another. You can save money on insurance by paying for smaller issues out of pocket.
Rachael Brennan is a senior editor and a licensed auto insurance expert at Policygenius. Her work has also been featured in MoneyGeek, Clearsurance, Adweek, Boston Globe, The Ladders, and AutoInsurance.com.
Pat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.