New Hampshire homeowners insurance overview

The best homeowners insurance in New Hampshire offers complete coverage at an affordable price. The following information can make it easier to determine if a homeowner is getting all the coverage they require.

Different types of homeowners coverage

Insurance companies typically offer six types of homeowners coverage. These policies range from basic up to comprehensive coverage. The best homeowners insurance companies offer them all. There are so many options it can be difficult to make a decision. Making a list of desired coverages before rate shopping can help. For example, if a person’s new home includes a room dedicated to fine art, a homeowner can be sure that a barebones policy will not cover them in the event of a loss.

Level of coverage

While a basic policy is typically the cheapest option, it’s unlikely to fully cover all losses. Although a homeowner should shop for the best price, it should not be at the expense of adequate coverage. A homeowner should determine the level of coverage they will need to repair or rebuild their home if it is damaged or destroyed. Once that’s determined, it’s time to shop for the best insurance rates on that level of coverage.

Amount of deductible

When a homeowner makes a claim, they pay an insurance deductible toward the cost of repair or replacement. Let’s say there’s a kitchen fire that will cost $15,000 to repair. If there’s a $1,000 deductible on the policy, the homeowner pays the contractor $1,000, and the insurance company covers the remaining $14,000. The lower the homeowner’s deductible, the more their policy will cost. One way a homeowner can keep premiums low is to choose a higher deductible.

Potential discounts

One of the best ways to land cheap homeowners insurance in New Hampshire is to take advantage of all insurer discounts. It is impossible to fairly compare one policy to another without knowing how much each policy costs after discounts are factored in. Nearly every insurance company offers a menu of home insurance discounts. Discounts cover everything from whether the home has smoke detectors to whether the electrical system has been recently upgraded.

What are the most common homeowners insurance claims in New Hampshire?

Knowing the types of claims most commonly filed with New Hampshire home insurance can help a homeowner purchase a policy offering the financial security they need.

Windstorms

Windstorms are one of the most common reasons for claims across the U.S. — including New Hampshire. In addition to tearing off roof shingles, wind can knock down trees and other tall structures, damaging anything below.

Lightning strikes and fire

Another common claim in the U.S. is lightning strikes and fire. Sometimes the two are related, and sometimes they’re isolated events. In any case, in a state with four seasons like New Hampshire, both lightning strikes and fires are to be expected.

Flood

Whether it’s due to a rainstorm or an unexpected wave of tidal water, flooding is common in New Hampshire. However, the standard homeowners insurance excludes water damage from a flood. This includes flooding of all kinds, from sewer backups, well water seeping into the basement, sump pump failure, clogged drains, rain, or the overflow of a body of water.

Still, New Hampshire homeowners need flood coverage to protect their assets. The only source for flood insurance in the state is The National Flood Insurance Plan (NFIP). Once a homeowner decides which insurance company they want to work with, it’s time to ask their agent about how much flood coverage they should purchase.

Homeowners insurance coverage options and discounts in New Hampshire

The best homeowners insurance in New Hampshire provides total coverage at a low price.

Coverage options

Here’s a quick rundown of the eight types of homeowners insurance:

• One type covers renters.
• One covers mobile homes only.
• The other six range from basic coverage to more extensive protection, and each is designed for non-mobile structures.

A comprehensive homeowners policy may also include coverage for luxuries such as upgraded building materials or specialty rooms (like a wine cellar). A homeowner can also buy additional coverage for valuable items like artwork or expensive jewelry. The best insurance companies offer a wide variety of coverage, making it easier to meet the policyholder’s needs.

Discount options

Finding cheap homeowners insurance in New Hampshire depends, in part, on claiming as many discounts as a homeowner is eligible for. Here are some of the most common discounts:

• Installing a burglar alarm saves an average of 13%.
• Having a smoke alarm saves an average of 10%.
• Upgrading the plumbing system saves an average of 10%.
• A roof upgrade saves an average of 12%.
• Bundling home and auto coverage can save a whopping 30%.

Five cheapest cities in New Hampshire for homeowners insurance

As an insurer determines premiums, it takes many factors into account, including:

• Area crime rate
• Value of surrounding property
• Cost to rebuild
• How far a home is from a fire station

Here are the five cheapest cities in New Hampshire for homeowners insurance: