Home Insurance in North Dakota
North Dakota — the state known for big cows and lots of bees. Nicknamed the Roughrider State after Teddy Roosevelt took a liking to its scenic terrain and natural wildlife, North Dakota is famous for its vast territory. As the leading producer of honey in the United States, many travel to this sweet state to see some of the most beautiful natural reserves and record-breaking art sculptures.
Although it’s one of the least populated states in the country, ND is the 19th largest state in terms of area alone. So if you’re the type of person who prefers to live in less crowded areas, North Dakota just might be for you. But no matter where you live, it’s essential to make sure your home is protected. In this guide, we break down what home insurance in North Dakota is all about.
How much is homeowners insurance in North Dakota?
Homeowners insurance in North Dakota costs an average of $1,408 per year. That’s how much you’d pay for about 64 lbs. of chippers, the state’s most iconic dessert. But when it comes to insurance in ND’s neighbors, South Dakota and Montana, ND homeowners can expect to pay more per year than those that live nearby.
If you’ve lived in ND for any amount of time, you know home insurance is no joke. North Dakota is actually one of the most expensive states when it comes to coverage due to the region’s weather patterns and landscape. So it’s pretty crucial to make sure your home is safeguarded from everything from floods to blizzards.
What factors influence my home insurance rate?
A few key factors can heavily influence what price you pay for protection, including what type of home you own, when it was built, and its current condition. While you may not be able to change the population density of your chosen region or when your house was built, there are things you can do to make your home safer and less costly to insure.
North Dakota Home Insurance Premiums
How much is home insurance a month in North Dakota?
On average, home insurance in North Dakota costs about $117 per month. Pros of paying upfront include discounted rates and avoiding the hassle of paying your provider every month. On the flip side, if coming up with the premium all at once feels like a hefty load, paying month to month might help things feel more manageable while also helping you build your credit score.
What does home insurance in North Dakota cover?
Home insurance in North Dakota provides coverage for your actual home, any personal property and homeowner liability. But your policy doesn’t have to stop there. Depending on your coverage needs and lifestyle, you may want to consider adding insurance riders to your policy.
Did you know that ND is actually home to the inventor of the clothing dryer? While home appliances like the dryer may have been around for a while, it doesn’t mean they don’t break or wear down from time to time. In which case, having equipment breakdown coverage as part of your insurance policy can save you time and money in repairs or replacements.
Given that a large portion of the state’s domestic economy pertains to farming and livestock, it’s not unlikely that many inhabitants are farmers or ranchers. If you fall under this category, it could be worthwhile to add riders like catastrophe insurance or windstorm protection to your policy to protect your barn or warehouse from extreme weather.
North Dakota Insurance Coverage Options
Traditional coverage
Physical Structure
Living Expenses
Liability Protection
Additional Structures
Personal Possessions
Supplemental coverage
Fire
Earthquake
Flood
Tips for lowering your home insurance premium
There are many ways you can shave off some dollars on your home insurance premium. From remodeling your roof to upgrading your HVAC unit, here are a few ways you can get your monthly or yearly costs down.
Home maintenance and upkeep are crucial in a state like North Dakota, which is host to plenty of blizzards and extremely cold temperatures in the winter months. This includes wrapping your pipes, regularly servicing your HVAC unit and trimming nearby trees to avoid damage from falling limbs.
Another resourceful move to make is to install smart home monitoring systems throughout your home so that you can automatically get an alert in the event of a pipe burst or leak. You might also consider adding in a surge protector in case a power surge takes a toll on your appliances.
North Dakota home insurance resources
When it comes to resources, the state’s official North Dakota Insurance Department is your best friend. The ND Insurance Dept. is especially significant because North Dakota is one of the only states without a FAIR Plan, which is a state-mandated basic home insurance plan that provides coverage to those who are unable to get a policy through the traditional market.
Another great resource is the National Flood Insurance Program — more on this below.
National Flood Insurance Program
The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is managed by the federal government and delivers flood insurance to homeowners through a network of private insurance agencies. Understanding the risks of natural floods and how they affect your home is important, not only because 1 inch of floodwater can cause up to $25,000 in damage, but also because most flood insurance is not automatically included in basic home insurance policies.
From Peace Garden to Roughrider to the Flickertail State, North Dakota holds many different meanings to anyone who visits this vast state. Nicknames aside, the one name that doesn’t change is “home.” And every home needs to be protected. Give us a call to learn more about home insurance in your area.
