Is Homeowners Insurance a Requirement in North Dakota?

No, homeowners insurance isn't required by law in ND, but your mortgage company will most likely require it in order to get a loan.

What Does Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota Cover?

Under most home insurance policies, you can expect coverage to include the following: <ul> <li>Dwelling coverage: This will help pay for the repair of the physical structure — and attached structures like garages — of your home as long as it’s a “covered hazard.”</li> <li>Personal property coverage: This helps cover damages to your personal items, like clothing or furniture. </li> <li>Personal liability: This protects against any damages or medical payments for injuries sustained by others that you or your household are responsible for.</li> <li>Wind/hail*: This covers your home if it's damaged by wind or hail.</li> <li>Hurricane damage*: This covers your home and all personal property inside the home and any other structures on your property such as a garage or pool house, in the event of hurricane damage. </li> <li>Additional living expenses: This helps pay for any expenses you take on should you not be able to live in your home due to things like fire damage, etc.</li> </ul> *Depending on where you live, you may be able to opt-out of this coverage if you participate in your state's FAIR insurance plan for high-risk areas. As always, shop around and make sure to ask insurance agents what is included in basic coverage plans and what additional coverages cost more to include.

Which Additional Coverages Are Recommended in North Dakota?

When shopping around for insurance quotes, it’s important to know what coverage is included and not included within your standard home insurance policy. Experts usually recommend these additional coverages that are not included in a regular policy: <ul> <li>Flood insurance: According to <a href="https://community.fema.gov/ProtectiveActions/s/article/Flood#:~:text=Flooding%20is%20a%20temporary%20overflow,disaster%20in%20the%20United%20States.">FEMA</a>, floods are the most common natural disaster, and water damage can be very costly.. If you’re a homeowner in ND, you may want to consider adding flood insurance to help eliminate financial burdens in the event of flooding or coastal erosion — especially if you’re in a high flood-risk zone.</li> <li>Tornado and hail coverage: Almost all home insurance policies include coverage from damage by wind or Tornadoes. Tornadoes also often bring hail which is also covered by your regular home insurance.</li> <li>Personal property replacement cost: Will cover the cost of brand-new replacement items if your belongings are lost or damaged from an incident like fire or theft. </li> <li>Identity theft insurance: In the event of identity theft, this can help pay for identity restoration services, like credit monitoring and legal fees.</li> </ul> It’s worth noting that insurance companies sometimes deny coverage if your home is in a particularly high-risk area, or if you have an extensive claims history. Here are some options in North Dakota if you fall into that category: <ul> <li><a href="https://www.fema.gov/flood-insurance">National Flood Insurance Program</a> (NFIP): Administered by FEMA, this plan helps provide insurance to reduce the impact of floodwater in high-risk areas.</li> <li><a href="https://www.fema.gov/assistance/individual/program">Individuals and Households Program</a> (IHP): Also administered by FEMA, this program can provide financial and other assistance after a major disaster or emergency if you qualify.</li> </ul>

How Do I File a Complaint?

You can file a complaint by contacting the North Dakota Insurance Department by phone at (701) 328-2440. Or, <a href="https://www.insurance.nd.gov/consumers/complaints">file a complaint online</a>.

The Best North Dakota Home Insurance [2023]

Find a top-ranked Homeowners Insurance Agency in your area

There’s much to be desired about North Dakota. The Peace Garden state is home to the Badlands, rich history, and farmlands as far as the eye can see. If you’re planning to also call North Dakota home, you’re in the right place. Natural disasters like wildfires, windstorms, and tornadoes occur in ND, so it’s important to ensure your property is protected from damages.

We at Expertise.com are here to make the home-buying process easier. We’ve compiled the best homeowners insurance companies, rates, and coverage options for North Dakota homeowners so that you can protect your home and everything in it.

Skip to section to learn more.

Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota
North Dakota Homeowners Insurance Rates by City
The Best Home Insurance in North Dakota
Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota
FAQs
How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in North Dakota
North Dakota Insurance Options In Your City

Average Cost of Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota

The average cost of basic home insurance coverage in North Dakota is $1,475 per year, according to Value Penguin.

The cost of a home insurance policy for your ND home can differ vastly based on a few key factors:

The age of your home: Is your home an older home that is at risk of more structural wear and tear?
The square footage of your home: How big is your home? In general, larger homes will cost more to insure.
The materials used to build your home: Was your home built using materials prone to things like rotting or structural damage?
Building costs in your area: Because insurance deals with repairs and replacement, coverage increases with increased building costs.
The location in which you live: What are crime rates like? How close are you to a fire department? How close are you to the water or the shoreline?
Any additional features: Does your house have a swimming pool or hot tub that could pose a potential risk to guests? Do you have pets, and if so, what are their breeds? Surprisingly, insurers will look at these things when assessing prices.
Your deductible: A higher deductible will decrease your premium, but could cost you more if you file a claim. Talk to your insurance provider about diminishing deductibles to get the best plan that suits your payment needs.

North Dakota Homeowners Insurance Rates by City

The rate of your homeowners insurance policy may vary depending on the city in which you choose to purchase a home.

Below is a breakdown of the average annual rate by city:

City	Average Annual Rate
New Salem	$1,7771777 out of 1777
Mott	$1,7641764 out of 1777
Regent	$1,7561756 out of 1777
Almont	$1,7451745 out of 1777
Hebron	$1,7411741 out of 1777
Cannon Ball	$1,7381738 out of 1777
New England	$1,7411741 out of 1777
Center	$1,7271727 out of 1777
Elgin	$1,7581758 out of 1777
West Fargo	$1,3861386 out of 1777
Manvel	$1,2861286 out of 1777
Grand Forks	$1,3221322 out of 1777

The Best Home Insurance in North Dakota

With so many homeowner insurance companies to choose from, it can be challenging to narrow down the best home insurance options for your specific needs. Below are the best providers based on coverage, cost, and customer ratings.

Farmers Union

Average Annual Rate: ~ $989

Notes: Most affordable rates with great standard coverage and high customer satisfaction.

North Star Mutual

Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,035

Notes: Affordable quotes with extra customization options.

Allstate

Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,105

Notes: Discount and bundling options, and online tools available.

Farmers

Average Annual Rate: ~ $1,391

Notes: Offers a wide range of discounts, and has a highly rated mobile app.

Cheapest Homeowners Insurance in North Dakota

If you’re looking for the most affordable home insurance rates, Farmers Union has the cheapest average annual premium at $989 per year, 33% below the national average. Find more of the most affordable private insurer options for home insurance below:

Provider	Average Annual Rate
Farmers Union	$989989 out of 1530
North Star	$1,0351035 out of 1530
Allstate	$1,1051105 out of 1530
Nodak	$1,2701270 out of 1530
Farmers	$1,3911391 out of 1530
State Auto	$1,5301530 out of 1530

Don’t forget that insurance prices vary depending on each homeowner’s location and coverage needs but shopping around to get the best annual rate and premium home insurance quotes is a good idea if cost is an important factor in your decision.

Find Cheap Homeowners Insurance in Your Area

FAQs

Below, we tackle some common questions to help you make a more informed decision about which homeowners insurance to choose in North Dakota, specifically.

How to Reduce Homeowners Insurance Costs in North Dakota

It’s best not to cut corners when it comes to coverage or insuring your home, however, there are a few ways that you can reduce your costs, without sacrificing your coverage.

Increase your deductible. This will help reduce monthly costs to your insurer, but it may mean paying more out of pocket should you need to make a claim. Similarly, paying your 6-month or 1-year premium in full will drive down monthly costs.
Bundle policies. Bundling your home and auto insurance can help you save 5–15% on your premiums. Talk to your insurance provider about home and car insurance bundling options and how that helps you save.
Take the necessary steps to make your home disaster-resistant. Some examples include:
- Install a smoke detector and/or fire alarm.
- Get a burglar alarm and/or deadbolt locks.
- Install a sprinkler system.
Nix the high-risk accessories. Similar to the above point, rid your home of things that are considered “high risk.” For example, did the kids go off to college? Time to throw out that trampoline that’s sitting in the backyard.
Seek out other discounts. Some things to look into:
- Do you work from home? Insurance providers may feel you’re less prone to theft or may spot a fire or flood sooner.
- Are you retired? You may qualify for a discount.
- Does your employer offer a group deal?
- Even something as simple as choosing paperless billing can help you save!
Keep good credit. Some agencies will look at your credit history and charge less for those with good financial strength and standings.

As always, consult your insurance agent to see which of the above discounts you qualify for.

North Dakota Insurance Options In Your City

At Expertise.com, our goal is to connect North Dakota residents with the best local experts and agencies, so you can find the homeowners policy that safely insures your home and most prized possessions.

View our list of the best homeowners insurance agencies here.

You can also learn more about the best experts in your area below:

Our methodology evaluates each provider based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.

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