Homeowners insurance (also referred to as house or home insurance) is a policy a homeowner acquires to help pay for damages to their home after sudden, unexpected events (referred to as perils). It helps protect you financially when fires, thefts, or other events happen, so you don’t have to pay out of pocket to either repair or replace what’s been lost.

Yes, if you have financed your home through a mortgage lender, home insurance is required. Otherwise, there are no state laws requiring home insurance. Even if you’ve paid off your mortgage, home insurance is still strongly recommended because it can help ease financial burden after a covered loss.

Standard home insurance policies will cover:

• The physical structure of your home
• Personal belongings
• Liability (if someone is injured on your property or you damage someone else’s property)
• Detachedstructures (sheds, garages, fences, etc.)
• Expenses if youcan’tlive in your home after a loss

Specific perils that home insurance cover include:

• Theft
• Fire & Smoke
• Hail
• Liability Claims
• Certain severe weather or natural disasters

Additional endorsements or coverage can be acquired for your policy to cover:

• Water damage from backed up plumbing, sewers, or sump pump failures
• Specific natural disasters (earthquakes,floods, wildfires, etc.)
• Home equipment systemsthat were damaged from a covered peril(HVAC, water heaters, etc.)

What’s NOT covered by standard home insurance coverage:

• Water damage from flooding
• Damage from earthquakes
• Certain molds
• General wear and tear

In the United States, the 2025 national average cost for home insurance ranges from about $2,000 at the low end to $2,800 at the high end. This evens out to be around $167 to $233 a month. It’s important to note that these numbers reflect the national average, so rates in your area may look different because of this.

Rates will vary from state to state, and home to homebased on:

• Location-based risk factors
• Age, condition, and size of your home
• Coverage limits, additional coverage, and deductible amounts
• Claims history (either for you or the property)
• Rebuild costs

There are more factors that influence your rate, but these are the most prominent ones.

Because home insurance rates can vary, national averages may not accurately reflect the cost of homeowners insurance for your area.

However, Goosehead’s Quote Tool can show you how your rates compare to our current clients in your area.

If you’d like to get a quote specifically for your home, you can request quotes directly from Goosehead or call us at (833) 779-4090. You’ll be able to see comprehensive comparisons from carriers available in your area.

Getting home insurance is easy. There are a few different ways you can get a policy:

• Use Goosehead insurance:We make the comparisons for you and present you with the options that are available in your area. Once you pick the policy and price that fits your needs the most, we can help you bind the policy.
• Find a local agent:Many carriers have physical offices that you can go to or call to get a policy with a sales representative.
• Online:Carriers are also making self-guided options for you to get a quote and purchase a policy on their websites.