Washington property insurance coverage protects your home and most of your belongings. Insurance providers will typically combine home insurance with liability insurance which pays for property damage and injuries caused by family members and pets. Property insurance will also cover temporary living expenses when a natural disaster requires you to live away from home.

Property insurance in Washington also covers most natural disasters like fire, hurricanes, hail and lightning. A standard homeowner’s insurance policy may specify other perils although earthquakes and floods will need to be insured by individual policies. Property insurance companies in Washington will not cover losses caused by poor maintenance.

Three key factors affect the cost of homeowners insurance in Washington:

1. The specific location of the property can require additional insurance that is dictated by geography. For example, property insurance companies in Washington should include coverage for ice, sleet and snow.
2. The premium charged by WA property insurance. This most commonly refers to an alarm system.
3. Property insurance in Washington should allow you to replace detached structures in addition to rebuilding your house. These structures are typically covered up to a fixed percentage of the value of the house.
   

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Collect quotes for a variety of Washington homeowner insurance plans

Multiple quotes from different sources can be an effective method of identifying the general terms of these policies and the premiums you can expect to pay.

I recommend: Go to insurehome.net and enter your zip code to start your search for Washington house insurance quotes. Insurance.com finds quotes by zip code and represents the largest carriers of homeowners insurance.

Find WA property insurance brokers who represent major carriers

You may want to obtain property insurance in WA through an agent who represents a major carrier in the state and can make a recommendation based on the specific needs of your situation. An agent will also handle much of the paperwork required by an insurance carrier.

I recommend: Safeco Insurance provides a range of property insurance and allows you to locate agents within a given area. Liberty Mutual has the capability to locate agents in your area and is part of the top 20 property and casualty insurance groups in the United States.

Get a Washington home insurance policy from a local agent

You may wish to contact local independent Washington property insurance providers rather than dealing with different national insurers. Often, a local agent can write a more customized plan for you.

I recommend: The Pugh Insurance Group provides a range of personal and business insurance services, including homeowners insurance, to residents of the Seattle metro area. Pemco Insurance is based in Washington and specializes in insurance for homeowners and renters throughout the state.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Expensive items like furs, jewelry and silverware are typically only covered up to a fixed amount by Washington homeowners insurance. A special property endorsement will be needed to replace these items if their value is not covered by the primary policy. These items will be covered if they are lost or stolen.