Washington DC property insurance companies cover 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. Washington D.C. home insurance will also cover temporary living expenses when a natural disaster requires you to live away from home.

DC homeowners insurance 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. DC home insurance will not cover losses caused by poor maintenance.

Three key factors affect the cost of Washington, D.C. homeowners insurance:

1. The specific location of the property can require additional insurance that is dictated by geography. For example, home insurance in Washington, D.C. should include coverage for ice, sleet and snow.
2. The cost of home insurance rates. DC policies will frequently cost less if you install an alarm system.
3. You can replace detached structures in addition to rebuilding your house with home insurance. Washington DC will replace detached structures 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, D.C. 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: The search function at Respond allows you to specify a city to find home insurance. Washington DC residents can go to insurehome.net and enter their zip code to start a search for house insurance quotes.

Find DC home insurance brokers who represent major carriers

You may want to obtain Washington, D.C. homeowners insurance 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. State Farm sells homeowner's insurance and provides a list of agents within a specified area.

Get a Washington DC property insurance plan from a local agent

Contact Washington D.C. property insurance companies rather than dealing with different national insurers. Often, a local agent can write a more customized plan for you. This method allows you greater flexibility and control over your home insurance needs.

I recommend: Capitol Fidelity Insurance is a family-owned insurance agency that is licensed to sell a variety of insurance in DC, Maryland and Virginia. Long & Foster insures homes throughout the mid-Atlantic region and has offices in Washington, D.C.

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 home insurance rates. DC policies will require a special property endorsement if the value of these items is not covered by the primary policy.