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Homeowners in Massachusetts can expect to pay less for insurance than those in other states. The average cost of home insurance in Massachusetts is $1,320 a year, which is $500 less than the national average of $1,820.
NerdWallet analyzed policy rates from insurers across the state for a home built in 1984 with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible to determine the best and cheapest homeowners insurance in Massachusetts. But these rates are just estimates, and yours may be different.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
The best homeowners insurance in Massachusetts
If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Farmers
5.0NerdWallet rating
$825
Chubb
5.0NerdWallet rating
$1,580
Vermont Mutual
4.5NerdWallet rating
$795
Amica
4.5NerdWallet rating
$1,835
The Hanover
4.5NerdWallet rating
$2,640
Travelers
4.5NerdWallet rating
$3,515
USAA*
5.0NerdWallet rating
$1,305
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.
More about the best home insurance companies in Massachusetts
See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.
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Farmers
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
More than average
Discounts
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.
Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with Claim Forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.
Learn more with our Farmers homeowners insurance review.
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Chubb
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
About average
Discounts
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Chubb generally serves affluent policyholders with high-value homes, offering lofty coverage limits and plenty of perks. For example, the company covers water damage from backed-up sewers and drains, and it pays to bring your home up to the latest building codes during reconstruction after a claim. (Many insurers charge more for these types of coverage.)
If you insure a secondary or seasonal home in Massachusetts with Chubb, you can sign up for the company’s Property Manager service at no charge. With this service, a Chubb representative will inspect your home after a hurricane, report its condition to you, submit a claim on your behalf and help prevent further damage.
Learn more with our Chubb homeowners insurance review.
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Vermont Mutual
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Regional insurer since 1828, selling homeowners insurance in the Northeast through independent agents.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
About average
Discounts
Very few discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Founded in 1828, Vermont Mutual sells homeowners insurance through local independent agents. The company stands out for service, drawing far fewer complaints than expected for an insurer of its size.
You may be able to add coverage for major appliances such as water heaters, laundry machines or solar energy systems. Other endorsements may be available to cover identity theft, damage to underground service lines, backed-up drains and theft of expensive jewelry.
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Amica
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Well-established insurer known for great customer service.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
About average
Discounts
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Rhode Island-based Amica stands out for its customer service and broad range of coverage options. The company has drawn significantly fewer consumer complaints to state regulators than expected for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, or NAIC.
You can customize your policy with extra coverage above your dwelling limit, in case your house costs more to rebuild than expected. You may also want to add coverage for damage from water backups or recovery from identity theft.
Learn more with our Amica homeowners insurance review.
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Hanover
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Best for homeowners looking for many ways to customize their policy.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
More than average
Discounts
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
The Hanover gives homeowners lots of choices. You can opt for an auto/home package, a policy designed for high-value homes or a stand-alone policy for a standard house. You can further customize your policy with a range of coverage options for things like guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which will pay as much as it takes to rebuild your home after a disaster.
The Hanover sells policies exclusively through local independent agents. That means online quotes aren’t available, but you can get personal service to help you choose the right coverage.
Learn more with our Hanover homeowners insurance review.
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Travelers
4.5
NerdWallet rating
Strong coverage and decent discounts.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
About average
Discounts
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Travelers offers a robust online experience. You can use the website to get a homeowners insurance quote, file and track claims, make payments and learn about insurance basics.
Its coverage offerings are similarly strong. For example, you may be able to add extra coverage in case the dwelling limit on your home isn’t enough to rebuild your house after a disaster. One unique option is Travelers’ green home coverage, which pays extra if you want to use eco-friendly materials when repairing or rebuilding your home after a covered claim.
Learn more with our Travelers homeowners insurance review.
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USAA
5.0
NerdWallet rating
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.
OVERVIEW
PROS & CONS
WHY WE PICKED IT
Coverage options
Below average
Discounts
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
Homeowners in Massachusetts can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.
Learn more with our USAA homeowners insurance review.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Massachusetts?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Massachusetts is $1,320. That’s 27% less than the national average of $1,820.
Your premium will vary slightly depending on where you live within Massachusetts. For example, the average cost of homeowners insurance in Boston is $1,485 per year, while homeowners in Worcester pay about $1,265 per year, on average.
» MORE: What’s the average cost of homeowners insurance?
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Massachusetts by city
City
Average annual rate
Average monthly rate
Boston
$1,485
$124
Brockton
$1,565
$130
Brookline
$1,420
$118
Cambridge
$1,155
$96
Chicopee
$1,115
$93
Dorchester
$1,690
$141
Fall River
$1,625
$135
Framingham
$1,140
$95
Haverhill
$1,170
$98
Lawrence
$1,330
$111
Lowell
$1,160
$97
Lynn
$1,540
$128
Malden
$1,110
$93
Medford
$1,100
$92
Methuen
$1,180
$98
New Bedford
$1,810
$151
Peabody
$1,230
$103
Plymouth
$1,725
$144
Quincy
$1,290
$108
Revere
$1,775
$148
Somerville
$1,150
$96
Springfield
$1,315
$110
Taunton
$1,355
$113
Waltham
$1,120
$93
Worcester
$1,265
$105
The cheapest home insurance in Massachusetts
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Massachusetts average of $1,320.
Company
NerdWallet star rating
Average annual rate
Narragansett Bay
3.5NerdWallet rating
$700
Preferred Mutual
Not rated
$710
Quincy Mutual
Not rated
$780
Vermont Mutual
4.5NerdWallet rating
$795
Farmers
5.0NerdWallet rating
$825
Plymouth Rock
4.0NerdWallet rating
$885
Mapfre
4.0NerdWallet rating
$920
Arbella
Not rated
$980
Safety
4.0NerdWallet rating
$1,185
N&D Group
Not rated
$1,185
Andover Companies
Not rated
$1,240
USAA*
5.0NerdWallet rating
$1,305
*USAA homeowners policies are available only to active military, veterans and their families.
» MORE: Get the best cheap homeowners insurance
What to know about Massachusetts homeowners insurance
Here are a couple of things to note when evaluating home insurance options in Massachusetts.
Nor’easters
Nor’easters, or northeast coastal storms, can cause damage similar to a hurricane. These storms typically occur between September and April and may cause high winds, heavy snow or rainfall, and flooding. While home insurance commonly covers damage from high winds and snow, it likely won’t cover water damage from flooding. You’ll need a separate flood insurance policy for that. (Read on for more details.)
» MORE: Complete guide to hurricane insurance
Flooding
Massachusetts can experience flooding even in inland areas, but your homeowners policy probably won’t cover the damage. If you live in a high-risk flood zone, like along a lake or river, your mortgage lender will likely require you to purchase flood insurance. But you could be at risk no matter where you live, so flood insurance may be worth considering even if you don't live in a high-risk zone.
To see the likelihood of flooding in your area, use the Federal Emergency Management Agency's flood maps or check RiskFactor.com, an online tool from the nonprofit First Street Foundation.
» MORE: How to choose the best flood insurance company
Massachusetts Division of Insurance
You can file a complaint against your insurance company or learn more about how home insurance works from Massachusetts’ Division of Insurance. Its website offers a list of insurers available in the state and resources to help homeowners understand their policies, plus the option to submit a complaint online. Assistance is available by calling 617-521-7794.
Looking for more insurance in Massachusetts?
Cheap auto insurance in Massachusetts.
Car insurance in Boston.
The best Medicare Advantage plans in Massachusetts.
Frequently asked questions
How much does home insurance cost in Massachusetts?
Is home insurance required in Massachusetts?
Does Massachusetts home insurance cover mold damage?
About the author: Ben Moore is an insurance writer at NerdWallet. Read more
METHODOLOGY
NerdWallet averaged rates for 40-year-old homeowners from a variety of insurance companies in every ZIP code across the state. All rates are rounded to the nearest $5.
Sample homeowners were nonsmokers with good credit living in a single-family, two-story home built in 1984. They had a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage limits:
$300,000 in dwelling coverage.
$30,000 in other structures coverage.
$150,000 in personal property coverage.
$60,000 in loss of use coverage.
$300,000 in liability coverage.
$1,000 in medical payments coverage.
We made minor changes to the sample policy in cases where rates for the above coverage limits or deductibles weren’t available.
These are sample rates generated through Quadrant Information Services. Your own rates will be different.
Star rating methodology
NerdWallet’s homeowners insurance ratings reward companies for customer-first features and practices. Ratings are based on weighted averages of scores in several categories, including financial strength, consumer complaints, coverages, discounts and online experience. These ratings are a guide, but we encourage you to shop around and compare several insurance quotes to find the best rate for you. NerdWallet does not receive compensation for any reviews. Read our full homeowners insurance rating methodology.
Complaint methodology
NerdWallet examined complaints received by state insurance regulators and reported to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2019-2021. To assess how insurers compare to one another, the NAIC calculates a complaint index each year for each subsidiary, measuring its share of total complaints relative to its size, or share of total premiums in the industry. To evaluate a company’s complaint history, NerdWallet calculated a similar index for each insurer, weighted by market shares of each subsidiary, over the three-year period. NerdWallet conducts its data analysis and reaches conclusions independently and without the endorsement of the NAIC. Ratios are determined separately for auto, home (including renters and condo) and life insurance.
