Indiana
does not require homeowners insurance, but some lenders might require it before closing on a home. It is always a good idea to protect yourself and your home against theft, vandalism, fire, and natural disasters, so shop around to find the best deals on home insurance for extra savings (and extra peace of mind). Your home is precious to you. It’s where you feel safe, where your family is protected from the weather, and where you grow and pursue your dreams. Not only that, your house is likely your largest financial investment.
Insurance can protect your home and your family, and the good news is you can find great deals on policies in Indiana! You can shop for the lowest rates on home
and car insurance
using the smart-comparison app, Jerry
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What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance is an added layer of protection for you, your property, and your belongings.
And the good news is, it’s not that expensive! The average cost of home insurance in the U.S. is $1,387 per year or $115 per month, and it provides financial protection from personal liability, property damage, or the loss of your residence.
Basic components of homeowners insurance
While every home insurance policy is unique, most carry common coverages, including:
Coverage A (Dwelling): Provides financial support for repairs or replacement of the structure of the house itself (think walls, roof, and foundation).
Coverage B (Additional structures): Covers repairs or replacement of other structures on the property (e.g., fences, detached garages, sheds, etc.).
Coverage C
(Personal property): Provides financial support to replace your personal property (e.g., electronics, furniture, jewelry, etc.), even if it’s stolen outside of your home. Coverage D (Additional expenses): AKA: loss of use. Provides temporary financial support for living expenses if your residence is deemed uninhabitable. This covers hotel or rental costs, as well as food delivery.
Coverage E
(Personal liability): Provides financial support against litigation if someone sustains injuries on your property or if you damage their property.
Policies will offer either actual cash value (ACV) or replacement cost.
ACV covers the cost of your property at the time of loss. Replacement cost covers the amount it would cost to replace the property, regardless of actual value.
Keep in mind that most companies require homeowners to purchase a policy that covers at least 80% of the replacement cost.
Named perils
While we might think that a homeowners insurance policy will cover everything, it won’t. Home policies only cover named perils
, which are specific circumstances outlined in the policy. Covered named perils generally include: Damage caused by vehicles
Only the listed perils will be covered by your policy. You can usually add a special policy for perils not covered in a basic policy, such as flood, hail, or freezing.
Is homeowners insurance required in Indiana?
While the state of Indiana does not require home insurance, it’s common practice for individual lenders to require owners to carry insurance throughout the life of their home loan. A lot of homeowners can’t finish closing on their homes until they present proof of insurance
to their lender. Even if your lender doesn’t require insurance, it’s a good idea to have extra protection. You never know when a potential crisis will hit, and events like fire, theft, or natural disasters can cost you thousands, if not hundreds of thousands. It’s better to pay a little for that protection now and save you thousands down the line.
How to get homeowners insurance
Shopping for insurance might seem daunting, especially when it’s just another thing added to your to-do list before moving. But don’t worry; Jerry
makes comparing home insurance easy so you can find the lowest rates. You can also call your current car insurance company, as they often offer discounts for bundling your home and auto policies
together. Bundling saves, on average, between 5% to 15% or more, so it’s worth checking out! Recommended home insurance coverage in Indiana
Indiana is prone to storms, so homeowners need to pay particular attention to policies that offer coverage for wind and hail damage, fire and smoke, earthquakes, flooding, and freezing, as well as identity and credit card theft.
While most insurance companies will provide policyholders with protection against theft, vandalism, and natural disasters, including tornadoes, flood insurance typically requires a separate policy.
Flood insurance typically comes in three parts:
An HO-5, or open perils policy, covers any peril unless it’s specifically listed as an exclusion in your policy.
Water backup coverage will likely cover water removal and repairs following a burst or backed-up pipe.
Why is homeowners insurance in Indiana so expensive?
Home insurance is an extra expense, but the good news is that the average Indiana homeowner pays less than the national average on home insurance!
As a homeowner in Indiana, you can expect to pay, on average, about $1,217 a year (or about $101 a month) for home insurance.
Home insurance rates are calculated based on several factors, such as the area you live in, the value of your home, your marital status, and your credit score. That said, there are some losses common to Indiana that affect the price of your home insurance premiums.
Earthquakes
Indiana is on two fault lines: the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone and the New Madrid Seismic Zone. Even though earthquakes aren’t common, fault lines pose a significant risk for property damage. Therefore, most standard home insurance policies won’t include coverage for damage sustained as a result of an earthquake.
That said, you can purchase an additional policy for earthquake coverage.
Hail
Because Indiana is located in the middle of the U.S., it is frequented by strong storms with high winds and, potentially, hail. Though hail varies from the size of a quarter up to a softball, it can cause significant damage to your home and property.
Wind
Because of the risk of frequent storms, wind damage, especially damage caused by falling objects, is a coverage to look for in your homeowners policy.
Insurance companies may raise premiums to help them cover the cost of these fairly frequent claims.
Homeowners insurance discounts in Indiana
Even though Indiana homeowners pay less than the national average for insurance, it’s still a good idea to look for ways to save money! Most insurance companies offer common discounts.
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| Bundling home and auto insurance could earn you a steep discount on both policies. |
| Most companies will offer you a discounted policy if it’s your first time purchasing a home. |
| If you maintain a certain period (typically a few years) without any claims on your policy, you may be eligible for a discounted rate. |
| Installing various hurricane safety measures, such as an upgraded roof or storm shutters, could earn you a discount on your homeowners policy. |
| If you’ve got a security system to prevent theft, your insurance company might discount your homeowners insurance rate. |
| Set up your fire alarm to contact the fire department directly—your insurance company may give you a discount for a shorter fire response time. |
How to save on home and auto insurance
Looking for the perfect home insurance
policy starts with courting a lot of companies. If that seems daunting, don’t worry; the top-rated insurance comparison app, Jerry
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