Homeowners Insurance in Idaho

Idaho homeowners insurance should protect your home against storms, wildfires, and other perils.
Written by Payton Ternus
Reviewed by Melanie Reiff
background
Idaho
homeowners need home insurance policies that can pay for damage due to storms, wildfires, and other perils. Finding the right homeowners insurance policy can be easy when you compare quotes from multiple top insurance providers.
Buying a house is an exciting milestone in your life, and you’re probably aware of how big a financial investment it is. Purchasing homeowners insurance is highly recommended to keep your investment protected from damage and loss. 
Here, home and
car insurance
broker
Jerry
has compiled everything you need to know about
homeowners insurance
in Idaho—including tips on how to save money on your premiums.
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What is homeowners insurance? 

Insurance coverage that provides financial and legal protection for your home and its contents is known as homeowners insurance. These policies are designed to protect the homeowner against property damage, the loss of the home, and personal liability. 
On average, homeowners insurance in the United States costs around $115 per month, or $1,387 per year.

Basic components of homeowners insurance

The following coverages are found within standard homeowners insurance policies:
  • Coverage A (Structure): Covers repairs or replacements to the house itself.
  • Coverage B (Additional structures): Covers repairs or replacements of other structures on the property (fences, sheds, detached garages, etc.).
  • Coverage C (Personal property): Pays for the loss or destruction of specific types of personal property (furniture, electronics, appliances, jewelry, and more). 
  • Coverage D (Additional expenses): Also known as loss of use coverage. Covers living expenses (hotel room, food delivery, rent, etc.) needed as a result of the partial or total loss of your home. 
  • Coverage E (Personal liability): Pays for court and attorney fees if someone is injured at your home.
There are two different policy types to consider when shopping for homeowners insurance—actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost
Actual cash value coverage will pay for what your property was worth at the time of the loss, while replacement cost coverage entitles you to what you originally paid for the belongings.
Most insurance companies will require you to purchase a policy that covers around 80% of the replacement cost of items.

Named perils

Homeowners insurance does not have a standardized comprehensive coverage. Instead, your policy will only cover named perils listed within the policy. Here is a list of common named perils:
  • Vandalism
  • Theft
  • Damage from vehicles
  • Riots
  • Lightning
  • Fire
  • Hail
  • Wind
  • Hurricanes
  • Falling objects
  • Explosions
Read over your homeowners policy thoroughly to make sure you have a clear understanding of what is and what is not covered. Any situation not explicitly listed will not be covered.

Is homeowners insurance required in Idaho?

Idaho homeowners insurance is not required by law, but most mortgage lenders will require it for the duration of your mortgage.
Even if it’s not required, homeowners insurance is strongly recommended for all homeowners. Without it, you’ll be solely responsible for repair and replacement costs after an unexpected loss or natural disaster.

How to get homeowners insurance

Comparing quotes is a great way to get started on finding homeowners insurance, whether this is your first home purchase or you’re an experienced homeowner (
Jerry
makes it quick and easy). 
Don’t take the first referral you find—you may end up overpaying for your coverage!
Make sure to get a quote from your auto insurance provider, too. The premium may be a little higher than quotes from other insurance companies, but they may offer you a discount if you bundle your
home and auto
policies. 
This is definitely worth taking a look at, since bundling discounts range from 5% to 25%
Flood damage, wildfires, and storms are some of the main perils faced by Idaho residents and their insurance policies. Basic homeowners policies should have coverage for the latter two situations, but they do not cover floods. 
Here are four ways you can protect your house against damage from flooding: 
  • You should be able to pay for repairs and water removal that result from a backed-up or burst pipe if you purchase water backup coverage beforehand. 
  • Even if you are not located near a body of water, it doesn’t hurt to check with the
    FEMA Flood Map Service Center
    to see if you are in a flood zone. 
  • Flood insurance is available for purchase through the private flood insurance marketplace or the
    National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP)
    .
  • Basic HO-3 homeowners policies do not cover water damage from flooding, but an HO-5 (or open perils) homeowners policy can cover any peril unless it is specifically excluded by the policy.

Why is homeowners insurance in Idaho so inexpensive?

Idaho homeowners insurance is often much less expensive than the national average, which is $1,387 per year
Your individual home insurance rates are calculated using several different factors, such as credit history and marital status. However, some statewide factors can influence everyone’s rates alike. 

Storms

Idaho is not particularly prone to natural disasters like other states, but storms are a rather common occurrence. Severe winter weather can result in claims being filed for snow or hail damage, damaged roofing, and frozen pipes.

Wildfires

The Gem State is currently within the top ten states at risk of wildfires (high to extreme risk). Fire damage is covered by homeowners insurance, but you may want to think about purchasing full replacement coverage in case you ever need to rebuild your home after a wildfire.

Homeowners insurance discounts in Idaho

Insurance companies usually have a selection of discounts available to their clients. Some typical homeowners insurance discounts are as follows:
Discount
How to get it
Bundling
Bundling home and auto insurance
could result in a large discount on both of your policies.
First-time homeowner
First time buying a house? Most providers will give a discount on your first homeowners policy.
Claims-free
If you can go a certain period (usually a few years) without filing any claims, you may be offered a discount.
Storm proofing
You can earn a discount on your homeowners premium if you install hurricane safety measures like an upgraded roof or storm shutters.
Security system
Your insurance provider may discount your rate if you’ve got a security system in place to deter theft.
Upgraded fire alarm
Setting up your fire alarm to directly alert the fire department could get your insurance company to give you a discount due to a shorter emergency response time.

How to save on home and auto insurance

If you’re getting stressed out by
homeowners insurance
quotes, let
Jerry
take the weight off your shoulders. Jerry makes it easier than ever to find the right insurance policy for your needs as a homeowner.
Jerry gathers dozens of competitive quotes in less than a minute and delivers the best results straight to your fingertips. Pick the policy with the coverages you need and the best savings, and Jerry will handle the rest for you. 
Jerry’s expert support is committed to finding you the best insurance policy whether you’re looking for a change in insurance or committing to your first home purchase. 
“This was the coolest insurance company I’ve seen so far. They saved me $1200 and their Ux is stellar. Go
Jerry
!” —Carla W.
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FAQs

Flood insurance is not required by law in Idaho, but if your home is in a flood zone it is recommended to purchase a separate policy to cover flood damage.
Idaho homeowners insurance costs an average of $936 per year, which is considerably lower than the national average rate.
Save an average of 18% by bundling your home and auto insurance
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