Best And Cheapest Home Insurance In Asheville, NC

After a thorough analysis, we recommend State Farm as the best homeowners insurance option in Asheville.

min read
Updated: 04 May 2024
Written by
Bob Phillips
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Although Asheville is hundreds of miles away from the coast, it can still be subjected to torrential downpour and storms. Additionally, the residents of Asheville can also fall victim to crimes committed against their homes, including vandalism.

Because of the potential threat of torrential storms, home insurance rates in Asheville cost its residents an average of $2,700 per year – compared with the much lower state average of $1,500. This is why homeowners in Asheville are always on the lookout for the cheapest premiums on the market, in addition to good coverage.  We’ve done all the hard work and put together a list of the best home insurance companies in Asheville – and in doing our research, discovered that State Farm offer the best home insurance policies for the best price in Asheville, costing an annual rate of $2,307.

State Farm are the best home insurance provider overall; however, an individual’s circumstances could mean that another insurer may be more appropriate for you. Our analysis revealed that Universal North America is competitive for newly constructed homes, yet Allstate is more appropriate for homeowners who need extra personal property coverage.

We also found that USAA is the best choice for military members, North Carolina Farm Bureau is best for customer support, and Heritage best for homeowners with bad credit.

Best Cheap Home Insurance In Asheville, NC 2024

Best Home Insurance, Asheville 2024

Comparison Of The Cheapest Home Insurance Companies In Asheville, NC

Overall Rating Best For J.D. Power Rating Average Annual Cost AM Best Rating Get A Quote
State Farm
4.9

Cheapest Overall

829

$2,307

A++

Instant Quote
Universal North America
4.6

Newly Constructed Homes

Not Rated

$1,173

B++

Instant Quote
Allstate
4.7

Extra Personal Property Coverage

815

$2,849

A++

Instant Quote
USAA
4.9

Military Families

884

$1,470

A++

Instant Quote
North Carolina Farm Bureau
4.5

Customer Service

Not Rated

$1,986

A

Instant Quote
Heritage
4.4

Poor Credit

Not Rated

$1,693

Not Rated

Instant Quote
Scroll to see comparisons

Our Methodology

To find the company offering the cheapest home insurance policy in Asheville, we took various findings from multiple review sites, including rates from public filings retrieved by Quadrant Information Services. From these findings we’ve calculated an average cost for the purpose of this analysis, however, each company may vary, and their premium will differ depending on an individual’s circumstances.

In addition to taking findings from review sites, my career as a licensed insurance agent also contributed to our task of finding the best home insurance company in Asheville, as well as three decades on purchasing home insurance.

48

Quotes Analyzed

15+

Years Of Industry Experience

12

Brands Reviewed

21+

Research Hours

Best Cheap Home Insurance Companies In Asheville, NC


Cheapest Overall

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Claims/payouts
10/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

When looking to find the cheapest insurers in Asheville, N.C., we found that the cheapest was State Farm. This could be quite surprising considering the magnitude of the business and the high overheads that come with maintaining many offices across the state.

Their cost-friendly rates and solid policies, regardless of the amount of dwelling coverage chosen, also make State Farm the best overall home insurance provider in Asheville.

State Farm’s rate, as quoted above, is for a $250,000 dwelling coverage limit. This is the typical amount of coverage purchased in North Carolina. For higher dwelling coverage limits, State Farm still beat out the competition as having the lowest premiums – rising to as high as $3 million.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Multiple agents based in Asheville to assist with queries
  • Cheapest rates of all the providers analyzed by us
Drawbacks
  • Less discounts than other insurers
  • Discounts for first-time homebuyers not available
  • Discounts for policyholders who have gone a year without making a claim not available

Cheapest Overall Rates In Asheville

Company Rate Per Year
State Farm $2,307
Nationwide $2,586
USAA $1,983
Allstate $2,637
Heritage $1,726

Best Provider For Newly Built Homes

Overall Rating
4.6

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Claims/payouts
8/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Universal North America offers competitive premiums across multiple price categories, with a specific focus on newly constructed homes. Buying a home insurance policy for a new build in Asheville is far cheaper than purchasing a policy for an older house. The reason for this is that newly built houses are less of a risk to providers. This is down to the materials that have been used during the construction of more modern homes, and the fact that they are less prone to damage, therefore making them much easier to replace should things go wrong.

For example, a modern home built in 2023 in Asheville will typically cost around $5,000 per year to insure. For a home built 20 years ago, you would likely have to pay an annual rate of $6,500. Of all the providers we looked at, Universal North America did not come with a J.D. Power ranking for customer satisfaction (most likely because of its size), and the lowest AM Best Rating (B++ Very Good).

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Cheapest premiums in Asheville for insuring newly constructed homes
  • Large number of policyholders in North Carolina
Drawbacks
  • Lowest AM Best rating of all the insurers we looked at
  • Did not come with a rating by J.D. Powers for customer satisfaction

Cheapest Overall For Newly Built Homes

Company Rate Per Year
Universal North America $1,159
USAA $1,424
Auto Owners $1,285
State Farm $1,629
Allstate $1,892

Best Rates For Extra Personal Property Coverage

Overall Rating
4.7

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Claims/payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

While searching for the cheapest home insurance in Asheville, Allstate stood out as the best provider for extra personal property coverage. Allstate offer competitive rates for basic dwelling coverage, and for homes of a much higher value where its owners typically pay extra for personal property.

A standard insurance policy offers a degree of coverage for personal property, but it’s important to know that a standard policy isn’t quite sufficient for policyholders who own expensive belongings such as artwork, antiques, and electronics. In Asheville, it costs a policyholder an average of $6,565 per year for personal property limits of $100,000, however this rate increases to $7,555 a year when limits are raised to $250,000.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Consistent high customer satisfaction ratings by J.D. Powers
  • Strong Allstate agent presence in Asheville for both sales and service
  • Several discounts available
Drawbacks
  • Lower than average J.D. Powers homeowners’ insurance customer satisfaction score

Best For Extra Personal Property Coverage Rates In Asheville

Company Rate Per Year
Allstate $2,857
State Farm $2,465
Nationwide $2,796
Universal North America $1,758
Auto-Owners $1,949

Cheapest Insurance For Military Families

Overall Rating
4.9

Key Statistics

10/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Claims/payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Studies show that the state of North Carolina ranks fourth in the country for most active military members. Separate research carried out in 2018 by Carolina Demography, unveiled that there were around 700,000 veterans living in The Tar Heel State. People come under either of these categories looking to buy home insurance can become a member of USAA, therefore making them eligible to apply for a home insurance policy.

The demographic for Asheville residents is quite limited given that it is mainly for military members and their families, however, USAA consistently rank high for customer satisfaction levels and loyalty, not to mention a high percentage of renewed policies. Being a member of a military community is important to service members, regardless of whether they are active or retired, and USAA has established itself as a reputable company with excellent customer support available, and the competitive rates for its customers.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Coverage on offer for homes of a high value
  • Members gain access to other USAA services, including banking
  • Additional coverage available for military uniform replacement
Drawbacks
  • Only available to to active and retired military members, and their families
  • Receiving a quote requires a USAA membership

Cheapest Rates For Military Families

Company Rate Per Year
USAA $1,463
State Farm $2,820
Universal North America $3,187
Travelers $3,901
Allstate $4,193

Best Provider For Customer Service

Overall Rating
4.5

Key Statistics

9/10 Affordability
10/10 Customer Reviews
8/10 Claims/payouts
8/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Asheville homeowners wanting an insurance policy with a local company providing excellent customer support, we found that North Carolina Farm Bureau came out on top. North Carolina Farm Bureau is the second largest home insurance provider in the state, with a network of local, licensed agents whose main goal is to serve the residents of Asheville and North Carolina.

An online quote tool for North Carolina Farm Bureau is not available; although it’s worth knowing that they do have an AM Best financial strength rating of A (meaning Excellent).

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Fantastic customer support provided by local, licensed agents
  • Competitive rates in the state
Drawbacks
  • Online quotes unavailable
  • Limited discounts offered to its customers

Best For Customer Service

Company Rate Per Year
North Carolina Farm Bureau $1,976
Universal North America $3,187
Travelers $3,901
Allstate $4,195
MetLife $5,877

Best For Poor Credit

Overall Rating
4.4

Key Statistics

9/10 Affordability
9/10 Customer Reviews
9/10 Claims/payouts
9/10 Coverage Level

Why We Like Them

Unlike other states in the U.S., North Carolina insurers calculate your rates by looking into your credit score. This means that homeowners in Asheville with a poor credit score can expect to pay a higher rate, and those with a good score can expect to pay less.

For example, a homeowner with bad credit will pay an annual rate of around $11,000 a year for their insurance, whereas a homeowner with good credit will pay an annual rate of around $6,500. If a policyholder’s credit score improves whilst being insured, providers will often recalculate and reassess your premiums.

Benefits & Drawbacks

Benefits
  • Cheapest rates for homeowners with a bad credit history
Drawbacks
  • Not rated by either AM Best or J.D. Powers
  • The ability to financially withstand multiple claims at one time is unknown

Cheapest Rates For People With Poor Credit

Company Rate Per Year
Heritage $1,511
Universal North America $2,569
Nationwide $3,265
USAA $4,069
State Farm $4,754

How To Decide On The Best Insurer For You

When considering options for home insurance in Asheville, take some time to learn about a few select companies and do your research to decide which company offers the best policy to suit you and your needs. A lot of insurers offer budget-friendly policies along with good coverage. We selected six providers in Asheville that offer fantastic protection for homeowners. We’ve listed some tips to follow when deciding on the best home insurance in Asheville, North Carolina.

Consider your property: When researching home insurance policies and wanting to get a quote, you should have details of your home readily available. This includes the age of your home and roof, and the materials used to build. This is to ensure that you receive an accurate quote.

Consider insurers: Choose wisely when purchasing home insurance. Start by looking at all of your options, specifically the ones that grabbed your attention straight away. Research the company websites to help you decide if the insurer suits your needs. If you are someone who likes to deal with insurance business online, then look and see if the company site allows you to make premium payments and file claims online or through their app. If you’d rather have an in-person discussion, opt for an insurer with local agents present in Asheville.

Gather quotes: We suggest getting quotes from a few providers to ensure that you’re making a well-informed decision. You can get quotes either online or through an agent, depending on the company itself. Make sure that each request is identical so that you receive an accurate quote from all providers.

Choose the company that best meets your needs: Every situation is unique, meaning some providers will be better suited to your circumstances. Certain insurers can offer the best deal or discounts, whereas another might rank higher for customer support. It’s always worth doing your own research and compare quotes to determine which insurer works best for you.

Largest Home Insurance Providers In North Carolina

Rank Insurance Company Direct Premiums Written
1 State Farm $513 Billion
2 North Carolina Farm Bureau $377 Billion
3 USAA $130 Billion
4 Allstate $122 Billion
5 Erie $103 Billion

Average Cost Of Home Insurance In Asheville, NC

Asheville has high premiums when compared to the average rates of North Carolina, and the rest of the U.S. However, major companies, and much smaller ones, too, do operate in North Carolina. Below are the average prices for five of the biggest home insurance companies in Asheville.

Company Rate Per Year
State Farm $2,307
Nationwide $2,586
USAA $1,983
Allstate $2,636
Erie $2,616

Average Cost Of Home Insurance In North Carolina By Coverage Amounts

Dwelling coverage amount Average yearly cost
$100,000 $719
$200,000 $1,176
$250,000 $1,437
$400,000 $2,091

Average Cost Of Home Insurance In North Carolina By Deductible Amount

Deductible amount Average yearly cost
$500 $1,632
$1,000 $1,477
$1,500 $1,338
$2,000 $1,126
$5,000 $976

How To Get An Online Home Insurance Quote In Asheville

Getting an online quote for insurance in Asheville can be done in the following simple steps:

Step One: Try and decide how much coverage you need If you’re confused about the amount of personal property liability protection you need, walk through your home and make a detailed inventory. Recording a video of your belongings can also be helpful if you need to make a claim one day.

Step Two: Choose three insurers and get quotes. Contact three insurers and get a quote after discussing your needs. You can ask a local agent to get the quotes on your behalf or use an online quote tool.

Step Three: Ensure you get the same quote from each insurer. Both the coverage limits and deductible should be the same to help you make a better-informed decision.

Step Four: Determine which company you think will be most appropriate for what you require and then complete the application process.

Factors That Impact The Cost Of Your Home Insurance Policy In Asheville

Insurance providers take several things into account when calculating your rates, this helps determine how much of a risk the company believes you to be. The higher the risk, the higher the rates. Below are the factors that insurers consider when calculating the rates for your insurance.

Location. Insurers get as specific as looking at your ZIP code when calculating rates. If you reside in an area of Asheville where more claims are filed, insurers will charge you more.

Coverage amount. The amount your home and personal property are insured for will impact your premiums. The higher value they are, the more expensive the rates will be.

Credit history. Insurers in North Carolina can utilize your credit score to calculate rates. If you have a bad credit history, then an insurer can charge you more as statistically, you are more likely to make a claim.

Claims history. Providers take into account any previous claims made by you as you are more likely to make a claim again in the future if so.

Your home’s age. If you have an older home, then it is probably built with materials that are more likely to deteriorate. For instance, the electricals and plumbing systems. Insurers look into this as damage to these systems can potentially result in water or fire hazards – which means larger claims.

Deductible. If your deductible is higher, then your rates will be lower. Be sure to select a deductible that is affordable.

For Asheville homeowners, severe weather can be a threat to properties. This means that home insurance rates are going to be higher than normal.

North Carolina Home Insurance Laws To Be Aware Of

For homeowners in North Carolina, it is not a requirement to buy home insurance. However, people with a mortgage or those belonging to a Homeowners Associations (HOA) may be required to purchase home insurance.

In The News

WTVD, an affiliate of ABC, reported that homeowners in North Carolina are seeing their premiums rise. This is primarily due to the cost of lumber rising 21% within the last year, and the prices of roofing rising by 22%. A report at the beginning of 2023 predicted a 9% rise in home insurance for the same year.

Information About Asheville

Asheville is nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and often referred to as the “Paris of the South” with its vibrant and creative community, beautiful architecture, and interesting history. Asheville prides itself on its fascinating Appalachian past, celebrating this rich culture with annual events including Shindig on the Green.

This mountain city has a funky downtown with over 30 art galleries, an exciting culinary scene, and a thriving music scene. Asheville is the ultimate playground for lovers of the outdoors, with a diverse range of outdoor activities on offer.

Home Insurance Discounts In Asheville

Despite their high premiums, Asheville offers discounts for homeowners that are there to be taken advantage of. Listed below are discounts to be discussed with your agent. They are worth looking at as they could potentially save you some money.

Your home may have features that make it eligible for a discount, including:

New or renovated home discount. Newly built homes or those recently renovated are often eligible for discounts as they have more modern systems including plumbing and wiring, therefore are less likely to fail.

Disaster preparedness discount. Asheville can be prone to torrential weather, so your insurer could potentially offer a discount if you take steps to reduce the risk of damage. This includes installing storm shutters, reinforcing doors, and adding shatterproof glass.

Safety and security discounts. This applies to devices including smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, fire alarms, burglar alarms, sprinklers, water shut-off devices, and implementing deadbolts on exterior doors.

Proximity to a fire hydrant or fire department. Insurers may offer a discount if you live close-by to fire-damage control resources.

Roof age discount. Roof repair expenses are loss-leaders for insurers. Companies such as USAA offer discounts based on how old your roof is.

Military discounts. You could be eligible for a discount if you are an active military member, a veteran, or family of a military member.

Employment, organization, and association discounts. Your home insurance provider may offer a discount if you work within a specific sector, such as educators. Additionally, you may be eligible if you are a union, organization, or professional association member.

Seniors or retirees. Some home insurance companies offer a price break if you’re retired or over the age of 55 and working part-time. Usually, the house must be your primary residence, 55 and over, and work outside of your home less than 24 hours a week.

Bundling discount. You could receive a discount for having multiple policies with the same home insurance provider.

You could also save a bit of money on your insurance by raising your deductible and maintaining a good credit score.

FAQs

How much is homeowners’ insurance in Asheville?

The cost of insuring your home annually in Asheville averages over $2,700, compared to the state average of $1,500. Our study found that in Asheville, State Farm offers the cheapest rates and best insurance for homeowners at an annual rate of $2,307.

Why is homeowners’ insurance so expensive in Asheville?

Despite its distance from the ocean, rates are much higher in Asheville due to its threat of coastal storms.

Who is the largest home insurer in Asheville?

State Farm is the largest home insurer in the United States, including Asheville.

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