Home Insurance in Connecticut
Have you ever heard of a tag sale? Do you know what it means to run to the packie? No? Well, then you probably aren’t a Nutmegger. And though Hippo didn’t get its start in Connecticut, we got here as fast as we could, and we’ve loved being able to offer modern home insurance in Connecticut (even though we might disagree on what some things are called — like a garage sale and a liquor store).
No matter what slang you use, getting home insurance in CT is a must. From Stamford to Putnum, we provide affordable protection for all. Read on to learn what protection you need living in the Nutmeg State.
What is the average cost of home insurance in CT?
Homeowners insurance in CT costs around $1,662 a year. For that same price, you could also visit the largest indoor ropes course in the world, IT Adventures Ropes Course in New Haven, over 80 times. If you’re a recent transplant to Connecticut, you may be surprised to see just how much more it costs to protect your home than in other states across the country. But there's a good reason!
What influences my home insurance rate?
Home insurance in CT is about $460 higher than the nationwide average of $1,200. This is due to both the state's coastal location as well as its severe winter weather, which can damage homes. Though your actual premium will vary depending on your exact location as well as the size, age and current condition of your home.
Is home insurance required in Connecticut?
In the state of Connecticut, home insurance isn't technically required. However, most mortgage lenders will so it's a good idea to go ahead and secure a policy if you plan on buying a home.
Connecticut Home Insurance Premiums
What does home insurance in Connecticut cover?
Home insurance in Connecticut will financially protect your home’s structure, contents, personal liability and any additional structures on your property from damage due to a covered peril. This means if a fire starts in your game room, damaging the walls and your Hartford Wolf Pack jerseys, you’ll be covered to replace both.
The term "covered peril" is key here, as not every policy will provide coverage for the same things. Generally, you can expect to be covered for events like fire, theft, hail and the weight of falling objects. But if you want protection from things like hurricanes, flooding or earthquakes (a good idea in a coastal state like Connecticut that also sits on a fault line), you’ll need to add insurance riders to your policy.
Connecticut Insurance Coverage Options
Traditional coverage
Physical Structure
Living Expenses
Liability Protection
Additional Structures
Personal Possessions
Supplemental coverage
Fire
Earthquake
Flood
How to lower your home insurance premium
While residents of The Land of Steady Habits may not be used to mixing things up, you may have to make some exceptions to that rule if you want to lower your home insurance premium. Updating your habits to include monthly home maintenance tasks, keeping your home up to date with the latest smart home devices and prepping your home for severe weather can help convince your provider to view you as less of a risk to insure.
To keep your home in tip-top shape, you should also consider updating the portions of your home that are older and keep everything running smoothly. This includes replacing your roof or windows if they are 20+ years old and getting your HVAC system and appliances regularly serviced to make sure they are working properly.
Connecticut homeowners insurance resources
You can learn a lot about life by reading Mark Twain and a lot about his life by visiting his house in Hartford, CT. But where do you go when you want to learn more about home insurance in Connecticut? We’re glad you asked. While Hippo is always here to help with any questions you might have, the state is home to other resources for homeowners such as the NFIP, FAIR program and the Connecticut Department of Insurance.
National Flood Insurance Program
According to the Connecticut State Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security, Connecticut residents are susceptible to flooding year-round. The federal government created the National Flood Insurance Program to protect homeowners from paying out of pocket to repair damage from floodwaters. And getting NFIP protection is easy, as the government issues this program through individual insurance providers across the country.
CT FAIR Plan
If you’re having trouble getting coverage for your colonial or saltbox home, you won’t be left out in the cold. The Connecticut Fair Access to Insurance Requirements Plan provides policies to those unable to get insurance through the traditional market. But FAIR coverage is pretty minimal, so it should only be considered if you’ve exhausted all other options.
Connecticut is used to doing things their own way. After all, we have inventions like the hamburger, color TV and Polaroid cameras to thank them for. A modern and inventive state like this deserves top-notch homeowners insurance. And that’s exactly what we offer.
