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 Vermont.
By
Andrew HurstAndrew HurstSenior Editor & Licensed Auto Insurance ExpertAndrew Hurst is a senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.
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.
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Reviewed by
Britta M. MossBritta M. MossProperty & casualty claim consultant and expert witnessBritta M. Moss, CPCU, SCLA, AIC-M, has over 25 years of insurance industry experience. In her work as a property and casualty claim consultant, she provides consultation and expert witness services in claim handling standards, practices, and norms. She has been retained by law firms representing plaintiffs and those representing insurer defendants involved in disputes or litigation regarding coverage analysis, investigation, liability determination, damage evaluation, negotiation and settlement. She is a graduate of The Ohio 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.
Vermont’s frosty winters and year-round cool weather can make home improvement projects difficult and lead to further problems if issues aren’t fixed timely, so homeowners need a good home insurance plan to protect their investment.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Vermont is $865 per year or $72 a month. This is about half as cheap as the national average of $1,754.
Compare home insurance rates in Vermont
However, the cost isn’t the only factor to consider when choosing a home insurance company. Not sure what to look for? Policygenius can help you figure out your coverage needs and compare quotes from multiple top companies in Vermont.
Methodology & why you can trust our rates
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: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
Compare the best homeowners insurance companies in Vermont
According to our analysis, Auto-Owners, StateFarm, Farmers, and Allstate are the best homeowners insurance companies in Vermont.
Policygenius analyzed thousands of quotes the largest Vermont insurers to find the average cost of homeowners insurance at each company. We then looked at J.D. Power customer satisfaction scores and compared that with the coverage needs of the state's residents to find the best homeowners insurance in Vermont.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
5.0
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Bundle home & auto
Offers extended replacement cost
Offers flood insurance
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is the best homeowners insurance company in Vermont thanks to its cheap rates, coverage options, its high marks for financial strength, and its customer experience ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Much cheaper rates than average in Vermont
Offers additional coverage options
Lots of discounts
Cons
Not able to get quotes or file claims online
More details
Why we chose it
Auto-Owners Insurance is our pick for the best overall home insurance company in Vermont. For one, home insurance coverage from Auto-Owners costs $350 less than average per year — and the company offers a range of discounts you can use to lower your rates even more.
With endorsements like guaranteed replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, inland flood coverage, and a comprehensive Homeowners Plus endorsement package, Auto-Owners offers many ways to customize your policy.
How much does Auto-Owners home insurance cost in Vermont?
The average cost of Auto-Owners home insurance in Vermont is $515 per year, which is 40% cheaper than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
To get a homeowners insurance quote, you’ll have to call a local Auto-Owners Insurance agent.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.8
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
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 best home insurance companies in Vermont thanks to its large selection of policy options, high customer service marks, and industry-best financial stability ratings.
Pros and cons
Pros
Top-tier coverage add-ons, including extended replacement cost coverage
High customer satisfaction and financial strength ratings
Cons
No discounts for first-time homebuyers
Higher rates than average in Vermont
More details
Why we chose State Farm
State Farm is among the best home insurance companies in Vermont, especially if you want to add coverage to a basic policy. State Farm lets homeowners get extended replacement cost coverage for their homes, replacement cost coverage for their personal property, water backup protection, and more.
State Farm's customer service is highly rated, too. The company has received high ratings from policyholders, according to J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys. It has also received the highest rating possible from A.M. Best for financial strength and stability.
How do State Farm home insurance rates compare to the Vermont average?
The average cost of home insurance from State Farm in Vermont is $1,116 per year, which is 29% more expensive than the statewide average.
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 ($$$$$).
$
$
$
$
$
Offers extended replacement cost
Bundle home & auto
Smart home discounts
Why we chose it
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Vermont for those who want to add coverage to their policies. Farmers also has a range of discounts and high claims satisfaction scores — though it doesn't have the cheapest rates.
Pros and cons
Pros
Optional extended or guaranteed replacement cost dwelling coverage
Receives few complaints from policyholders and has a high claims satisfaction score
Lots of available discounts
Cons
Below-average scores on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys
Higher rates than average in Vermont
More details
Why we chose Farmers
Farmers is one of the best home insurance companies in Vermont, especially if you want to add coverage to a basic policy. Optional coverages from Farmers include guaranteed or extended replacement cost coverage, water backup protection, and a personal articles floater.
Farmers also earned a high score in J.D. Power’s 2022 claims satisfaction study (though it scored below average on J.D. Power’s overall customer satisfaction and digital experience surveys). Plus, Farmers receives fewer complaints than average, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
Farmers is one of the best companies for bundling home and auto coverage (you could save up to 18% on your premiums by bundling). The company also offers more than a dozen other discounts, many of which are easy for most homeowners to qualify for.
How do Farmers home insurance rates compare to the average in Vermont?
The average cost of Farmers home insurance in Vermont is $1,150 per year, which is 33% more expensive than the state's average annual premium.
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
Allstate is one of the top home insurance companies in Vermont. Besides having lower-than-average rates, Allstate also offers a few add-ons that can make a basic policy stronger.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers HostAdvantage for short-term rental coverage
Offers water backup protection, other endorsements
Rates are cheaper than average in Vermont
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
We like that Allstate offers a few home insurance coverages that you can add to your policy for more protection. These coverages include water backup protection, scheduled personal property coverage, and identity theft restoration coverage.
If you're looking to cover your short-term rental, Allstate's HostAdvantage is another perk. HostAdvantage comes with theft protection, coverage for your damaged property ($10,000 per host period), and a $25 discount on cleaning services from Merry Maids.
How do Allstate home insurance rates compare to the Vermont average?
The annual average cost of Allstate home insurance in Vermont is $802 per year, which is 7% cheaper than the statewide average.
How to get a quote
Online through Policygenius or Allstate, or by contacting a local Allstate agent.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Vermont is $865 per year, or $72 a month, for an insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage. This means insurance in Vermont is 51% cheaper than the national average per year.
Vermont homeowners insurance rates by city
We calculated the cost of home insurance in Vermont's largest cities and found that Barre is the cheapest big city for homeowners insurance in the state, while St. Albans is the most expensive.
Here’s a look at the average cost of home insurance in the 20 largest cities in Vermont.
City
Average monthly cost
Average annual cost
Difference from state average (%)
Burlington
$78
$935
8%
South Burlington
$77
$927
7%
Rutland
$74
$892
3%
Essex Junction
$78
$936
8%
Barre
$69
$832
-4%
Winooski
$76
$916
6%
Montpelier
$72
$863
0%
St. Albans
$83
$995
15%
Newport
$73
$872
1%
Bellows Falls
$74
$889
3%
Vergennes
$70
$845
-2%
Swanton
$73
$876
1%
Morrisville
$72
$865
0%
North Bennington
$74
$883
2%
Enosburg Falls
$73
$874
1%
Johnson
$72
$864
0%
Lyndonville
$72
$858
-1%
Poultney
$74
$887
3%
Woodstock
$71
$848
-2%
Orleans
$74
$888
3%
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Vermont homeowners insurance rates by coverage amount
The table below highlights the average annual premium in Vermont for five different levels of dwelling coverage, which is the part of your policy that covers structural damage to your home.
Generally speaking, more dwelling coverage means higher homeowners insurance rates, as shown in the table below.
Dwelling coverage limit
Average annual cost
$100,000
$387
$200,000
$621
$300,000
$865
$400,000
$1,109
$500,000
$1,347
Compare home insurance rates in Vermont
Cheapest homeowners insurance companies in Vermont
Based on our analysis of home insurance rates in every one of the state's ZIP codes, we found that the cheapest home insurance companies in Vermont are Auto-OwnersInsurance, VermontMutual, Frankenmuth, UnionMutual, and Allstate.
Cheapest Vermont homeowners insurance if you have poor credit
If you have a poor credit score, your insurance rates are likely to be higher. This is because insurance companies connect having poor credit with being more likely to make a future claim.
With an average rate of $733 per year, Auto-Owners Insurance has the cheapest home insurance rates in Vermont for a homeowner with poor credit.
Company
Average annual cost
Auto-Owners Insurance
$733
Vermont Mutual
$891
MMG Insurance
$1,092
Union Mutual
$1,095
Frankenmuth Insurance
$1,109
Allstate
$1,201
Co-operative Insurance
$1,398
State Farm
$1,909
USAA
$1,935
Farmers
$2,423
Travelers
$7,101
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Cheapest Vermont homeowners insurance if you have an older home
It can cost a lot to insure older homes. That's because they're more prone to structural damage than new homes. Older homes are also often constructed out of materials and with features that would be expensive to replace if they were damaged.
With an average annual premium of $495, Auto-Owners offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Vermont for a home over 100 years old.
Company
Average annual cost
Auto-Owners Insurance
$495
Vermont Mutual
$515
Union Mutual
$791
Allstate
$816
USAA
$855
Frankenmuth Insurance
$891
MMG Insurance
$939
State Farm
$1,114
Farmers
$1,194
Co-operative Insurance
$1,203
Travelers
$2,897
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Cheapest Vermont homeowners insurance if you have a history of claims
If you have multiple claims on your record, you'll typically pay more for home insurance, as insurers will consider you more likely to file future claims than a homeowner with a spotless claims history.
With an average annual premium of $599, VermontMutual offers the cheapest home insurance rates in Vermont if you've filed three claims within a five-year period.
Company
Average annual cost
Vermont Mutual
$599
Auto-Owners Insurance
$679
Union Mutual
$791
MMG Insurance
$970
Co-operative Insurance
$1,266
State Farm
$1,270
Allstate
$1,272
USAA
$1,375
Frakenmuth Insurance
$2,225
Farmers
$2,704
Travelers
$4,562
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Coverage options in Vermont
When looking at how much each insurance company charges for different coverage levels and risks, you should also be aware of what your policy does and doesn’t cover.
Before you buy homeowners insurance in Vermont, you should be sure you're protected against flooding and wintry weather.
Flood insurance
Homeowners insurance doesn't cover damage from floods. Although only fewer than than 1% of homes in Vermont have flood insurance, it's a good idea to consider getting a flood insurance policy if you live in a low-lying part of the state.
Some companies offer flood endorsements or even separate flood insurance policies. Vermont homeowners can compare private flood insurance companies in the state with Policygenius, or choose a policy through a government entity like the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
Insurance for wintry weather
Vermont's winters could lead to conditions that damage your home, like heavy snow and fierce winds. Fortunately, most home insurance policies cover damage from wintry weather, like windstorms, frozen pipes, collapsed roofs, and more.
That said, it's always a good idea to make sure that your home is fully protected by adding extended or guaranteed replacement cost coverage to your dwelling coverage if it's available. That way, you will have enough insurance to fully rebuild your home if it were damaged.
5 steps for buying home insurance in Vermont
Reach out to a licensed Policygenius agent. Our team of experienced insurance experts will listen to your coverage needs and help you find quotes that work the best for you.
Ask if you should purchase flood or hurricane coverage. If you live near a river or other body of water, flood insurance might be a good option. A Policygenius agent can answer all of your questions about flood insurance and available coverage add-ons.
Figure out if a higher deductible works for you. A higher deductible means you’ll have lower monthly or annual premiums. Just remember, you’ll need to come up with the full deductible amount before your provider reimburses you for a covered claim.
Compare quotes from a Policygenius agent. Once you’ve identified your coverage needs, limits, and deductibles, a Policygenius agent will send over a few quotes and answer any questions you might have about each policy.
Choose your policy, sign it, and make your first payment. After you’ve settled on the company that works best for you, Policygenius will do all of the paperwork for you. We'll even cancel your old policy if it isn’t expired yet.
Compare home insurance rates in Vermont
Frequently asked questions
What is the average home insurance cost in Vermont?
The average home insurance rate in Vermont is $865 a year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage. That’s about half of the national average. But, of course, your rate might be different based on your own coverage needs, limits, and deductibles. Always ask your provider about possible discounts that may apply to you.
Is it mandatory to have home insurance in Vermont?
While not legally required to have home insurance in Vermont, many mortgage lenders require you to purchase home insurance before extending a home loan. Lenders have a financial interest in the property until you pay off the loan, so they want to ensure it’s fully protected against any loss.
Why do some insurance companies charge home insurance higher rates to customers with a dangerous dog breed?
Insurance companies consider certain dog breeds as aggressive and more likely to cause injury to someone, resulting in more insurance claims. If you own a dangerous dog breed, your insurer might charge you more for home insurance becasue of the increased risk.
Andrew Hurst is a senior editor at Policygenius who has spent his entire career writing about life, disability, home, auto, and health insurance. His work has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, the Washington Post, Forbes, USA Today, NPR, Mic, Insurance Business Magazine, and Property Casualty 360.
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.