How much is home insurance in Massachusetts?

There are several factors that determine how much homeowners insurance costs in Massachusetts, including the size of the home and its exposure to weather. On average, newer, smaller homes that are located inland are less expensive to insure than older, larger homes near the Massachusetts coast.

What is the average price of home insurance in MA?

The average price of home insurance in Massachusetts varies depending on where you live. For example, homes that are located along the coast typically cost more to insure, as they are more exposed to severe weather.

The following is the average annual cost in three areas of the state:

Location	Yearly average cost	Monthly average cost
Bristol County	$3,174	$265
Middlesex County	$2,809	$234
Worcester County	$2,610	$218

How is home insurance priced?

Home insurance carriers consider a variety of factors when calculating home insurance rates. These factors include weather exposure, the size and age of the home, how close the home is to a fire station, how many home claims you file, and how much coverage you have.

Weather exposure
Home insurance in Massachusetts can cost a little more because part of the state is located along the coast. This means that homes in Massachusetts are at risk for high winds, hurricanes and flooding—some more than others of course.

The closer your home is to the coast, the more your insurance rate will go up to cover that risk. For example, if you live 1,500 feet from the Massachusetts coastline, you’ll pay more for home insurance than someone who lives 15 miles from the coast. This is true even though flood damage isn’t covered by home insurance.

In Massachusetts, snowstorms and ice dams can also damage your property—particularly the roof of your home. You should think about protecting yourself and your home from these winter events.

Size of home
On average, a larger, complex house is more expensive to rebuild and replace than a small ranch house. As a result, the cost to insure a larger home will typically be more. The same idea holds true for your personal belongings. If your home is filled with many valuable items, the cost to insure those items will be higher.

Age of home
Newer homes are typically cheaper to insure than older homes because they have endured less wear and tear over the years. In other words, the structure of a newer home, as well as its systems, are less likely to cause you problems.

Proximity to fire station
Let’s say you live in a rural part of Massachusetts that is 15 miles away from the nearest fire station. In this case, it will take firefighters longer to arrive at your home than a home that’s only a mile away. As a result, your home on average will cost more to insure.

Past claims
Home insurance carriers might consider the number and severity of home claims that you have submitted over the years. The more claims that you file, the higher your home insurance rate might be.

Amount of coverage
If you want greater protection, you can customize your home policy beyond its standard coverages. Purchasing additional coverage may cost a little more up front, but it could be worth the investment in the long run.

For example, you can add extra coverage for particularly expensive items like jewelry or art. Or you may decide to buy an optional coverage like Water Backup insurance. If your sump pump fails, or water comes up into your house from the plumbing system, Water Backup can help cover the cost of the damage.

Here are some optional coverages to consider in Massachusetts:

How to choose your deductible

Choosing your deductible amount plays a significant role in how much you pay for home insurance. A good rule of thumb is that lower deductibles usually result in higher premiums. Conversely, higher deductibles usually result in lower premiums.

Therefore, if your goal is to lower your home insurance rate, you should choose a higher deductible. Of course, your deductible should only be as high as you can reasonably pay in the case of an actual loss.

As a coastal resident of Massachusetts, your home insurance policy may include a separate deductible for hurricane claims. The amount of this deductible, which is usually a percentage of your dwelling coverage amount, will be higher than your policy’s regular deductible.

Can I lower my premium with discounts?

Yes, insurance companies offer a variety of discounts that will help you save on your homeowners premium. From installing security protection devices to bundling your auto and home policies, there are many ways to lower your rate in Massachusetts.

Security protection devices

Investing in protective devices like fire and smoke detectors, sprinkler systems and security systems—especially if they’re centrally monitored—can help drive down the price of your home insurance in Massachusetts.

Connected home devices

You could save if your home is equipped with internet-connected devices that protect you from theft, fire or water damage. One example is a water leak sensor. In this case, if your sump pump fails, your phone will alert you before severe damage happens.

Age of home

Another potential home insurance discount in Massachusetts is the age of your home. Simply put, the newer your home, the more you save.

Bundling

You could save if you bundle two or more policies, such as home and auto, with the same insurance company. Many carriers will even give you a discount if you bundle your home or auto policy with an umbrella insurance policy.

New business/quote in advance

Some insurance companies offer new business discounts just for signing up and an additional discount if you shop in advance of your prior policy’s renewal.

Affinity groups

You could receive a discount on your homeowners insurance if you belong to an affinity group. Examples include alumni associations, credit unions, teachers’ associations and AARP.