Best Rochester Homeowners Insurance Quotes (2024)

Ocean Harbor Casualty offers the cheapest homeowners insurance in Rochester, at an average annual rate of $402.

Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken
  • Plutus Award winner

  • 12+ years writing about insurance and personal finance

Emily is a widely recognized expert on personal finance and has authored several personal finance books. She’s a frequent guest on national and regional media.

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Sara Getman
Edited bySara Getman
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

Updated August 7, 2024

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Residents in Rochester, New York, pay an average of $1,524 annually, or $127 per month, for a homeowners insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. This is lower than the national average of $2,377 annually, or about $198 per month.

Rochester residents can face severe winter weather and higher-than-average levels of property crime, which means getting the right homeowners insurance is especially important. No matter where you live in the Rochester area, make sure you know what specific risks are most likely to affect your home to get the right coverage for your needs.

Here’s what you need to know about comparing home insurance quotes and finding the best homeowners insurance policy in Rochester.

Quick Facts
  • Areas of Rochester can receive up to 120 inches of snowfall annually, so homeowners should look for companies that cover snow and ice damage.[1]

  • The median home price for a house in Rochester is $159,900.[2]

  • Ocean Harbor Casualty, Merchants Insurance Group, and New York Central Mutual offer the cheapest policies in Rochester, all averaging under $1,000 annually.

Best home insurance companies in Rochester

Several quality home insurance companies serve the Rochester area, which means residents can find a good policy for their budget. Just remember that the best company for your home will depend on your specific situation and needs.

Below are four of the best home insurance companies in Rochester, according to Insurify data.

Insurance Company
Average Annual Premium
Best For
Ocean Harbor Casualty$402Cheapest rates
New York Central Mutual Insurance$794Bundling
National General$1,190Discounts
Travelers$1,205Optional coverages

Cheapest rates: Ocean Harbor Casualty

Ocean Harbor Casualty, a regional insurer serving the Northeast, Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, and Gulf Coast states, offers the cheapest homeowners rates in Rochester. Around since 1986, this insurer specializes in coverage for coastal and other vulnerable areas where other insurance companies are reducing coverage.

Ocean Harbor offers a number of optional coverages, including debris removal, additional living expenses, other structures, water and sewer backup, scheduled personal property, personal liability, and ID recovery, among numerous other coverage options.

Pros
  • Affordable rates

  • Discounts for new homes, security systems, hurricane protection, and more

Cons
  • Quotes not available online; must go through an agent

  • AM Best financial strength rating of B (Fair)

Best insurer for bundling: New York Central Mutual Insurance

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IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
NR
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
Not rated

New York Central Mutual Insurance exclusively serves customers in the Empire State. This insurer offers some impressive discounts to customers who bundle policies. If you purchase your auto and home insurance from NYCM, you could save up to 25%. Add in umbrella insurance, and you could save up to 10% more for a total savings of 35%.

Pros
  • Significantly below-average number of complaints with the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC)

  • Several available discounts and is transparent about savings

Cons
  • Quotes not available online; must go through an agent

  • Limited digital tools

Best insurer for discounts: National General

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
6.8/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
$300,000 Dwelling
A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others.
$199/mo
$500,000 Dwelling
A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others.
$309/mo

Around since 1920, National General is a low-cost insurance option for homeowners. In addition to low rates on standard home insurance policies, National General also offers several potential discounts, including discounts for newer homes, bundling home and auto insurance, being claims free, having a college education, homes in gated communities, recent homebuyers, installing protective devices, and for superior construction, among others.

Pros
  • Offers flood insurance and private collections insurance for additional homeowner coverage

  • Custom360 program allows for easy policy customization

Cons
  • 1.06 out of 5 stars on the Better Business Bureau

  • Quotes not available online; must go through an agent

Best insurer for optional coverages: Travelers

Compare personalized, real-time quotes
IQ Score
The Insurify Quality (IQ) Score uses more than 15 criteria to objectively rate insurance companies on a one-to-ten scale. The Insurify editorial team researches insurer data to determine the final scores.
9.0/10
JD Power
J.D. Power data measures overall customer satisfaction and claims satisfaction based on a 1,000-point scale.
829
$300,000 Dwelling
A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $300,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others.
$138/mo
$500,000 Dwelling
A standard HO-3 home insurance policy typically includes dwelling, personal property, and liability coverage. The average rate displayed here reflects a policy with the following coverage limits: $500,000 dwelling; $25,000 personal property; $300,000 personal liability; $30,000 loss of use; and a $1,000 deductible for medical payments to others.
$223/mo

Travelers has been in the U.S. insurance industry since 1864. It offers homeowners, renters, condo, auto, and flood insurance and can be a good one-stop shop for customers who want to bundle their insurance policies.

In addition to standard coverage, Travelers also offers a robust menu of optional coverages, including special personal property coverage, contents replacement loss coverage, additional replacement cost protection coverage, jewelry and valuable items coverage, water backup and sump-pump discharge or overflow coverage, identity fraud protection coverage, and green home coverage.

Pros
  • AM Best financial strength rating of A++ (Superior)

  • Discount of up to 5% for certified “green” homes

Cons
  • Below-average J.D. Power customer satisfaction rating

  • Above-average number of complaints with the NAIC

Cheapest home insurance in Rochester

Ocean Harbor offers the cheapest home insurance premiums in Rochester. Other inexpensive options are listed below. The average annual premiums below all assume a $300,000 home and an insurance deductible of $1,000.

Insurance Company
Average Annual Premium
Ocean Harbor Casualty$402
Merchants Insurance Group$693
New York Central Mutual Fire$794
Preferred Mutual$1,102
Security Mutual$1,104
Dryden Mutual Insurance Company$1,167
National General$1,190
Travelers$1,205
Palisades Group$1,225
National Grange Mutual$1,227
Nationwide$1,246
Kingstone Insurance Company$1,283
Allstate$1,348
Utica National Insurance Group$1,349
Narragansett Bay Insurance$1,392
State Farm$1,431

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Cost of homeowners insurance in Rochester

Rochester homeowners pay an average of $1,524 in insurance premiums annually, or $127 per month, on a $300,000 home with a $1,000 deductible. This is significantly less than the national average of $2,377 for the same value home and deductible, or about $198 per month.

While looking at national and local averages can be helpful, the exact amount you’ll pay for home insurance depends partly on your policy type, coverage limits, and deductibles. That means the insurance options you choose can have an important effect on your premium prices.

But other factors can affect the cost of premiums, including your ZIP code, whether you live in an older home or a newer construction home, whether you live in an urban or rural area, and what weather risks are most common in your area.

Cost of homeowners insurance by dwelling coverage amount

Dwelling coverage protects the physical structure of your house, which can include attached structures like a garage. If a covered peril causes damage to your home’s structure, dwelling coverage will pay to repair or replace it.

Industry professionals typically recommend that homeowners purchase enough dwelling coverage to pay the replacement cost of rebuilding the home, although the higher your coverage level, the more you’ll pay in premiums. Understanding your dwelling coverage options can help you make the best choices for your peace of mind.

Consider how the average cost of homeowners insurance changes depending on the dwelling coverage amount in New York in the table below. Each example has a $1,000 deductible.

Coverage Limit
Average Annual Premium
$100,000$999
$200,000$1,634
$300,000$2,257
$400,000$2,961
$500,000$3,640

Cost of homeowners insurance by deductible

If you have property damage and need to make a claim, you’ll have to pay a deductible toward fixing the damage before your insurance coverage kicks in. The larger your deductible, the less you pay in premiums, making this one of the most effective options for lowering your insurance rates. But if you increase your deductible, make sure you can afford to pay the full deductible in the event of a claim.

Here’s how deductible size affects the average annual premium in Rochester for policies with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.

Deductible Amount
Average Annual Premium
$500$1,569
$1,000$1,524

How to get cheap homeowners insurance in Rochester

If you’re looking to save money on homeowners insurance in Rochester, the following strategies can be an excellent way to ensure you have the best price for the right level of coverage:

  • Compare quotes. The best policy for the best rate won’t be the same for every homeowner since insurance companies don’t all use the same factors to set premiums. Shopping around can help you get the best homeowners insurance policy for the best value.

  • Check for discounts. Many insurers offer a number of potential discounts to their clients. Look on your insurer’s website or ask your insurance agent what home insurance discounts you qualify for. You might save money with one of these common discounts: paid-in-full, auto-pay, new homeowner, senior, loyalty, claims-free, military, and fortified home discounts.

  • Bundle multiple insurance products. If you need additional insurance products, like auto insurance, life insurance, business insurance, or umbrella insurance, purchasing all your insurance policies from a single insurer may get you a bundling discount and save you money on each one.

  • Increase your deductible. Policyholders who increase their deductible pay lower premiums. Increasing the deductible can be a good option for lowering insurance rates for anyone who can afford to pay a higher deductible in the event of a claim.

New York homeowners insurance rates by city

The perils facing a homeowner in the Rochester area won’t necessarily be the same as those facing homeowners elsewhere in New York or even in Rochester. That’s because the severe weather patterns, local climate, theft and property crime statistics, and proximity to fire stations in your ZIP code are unique and can all affect how much you pay in homeowners insurance premiums.

Check out how Rochester home insurance rates compare with the amount homeowners pay in other cities in the Empire State below.

City
Average Annual Premium
Corona$2,277
Ithaca$1,214
New York$2,992
Patchogue$2,787
Yonkers$1,637

How much homeowners insurance do you need in Rochester?

While you’re not legally obligated by the state of New York or the city of Rochester to purchase a home insurance policy, your mortgage company will require you to do so as a condition of your home loan. Generally, you’ll want a homeowners policy that can cover at least 80% of the replacement cost of the house. In addition, make sure your home insurance policy covers the loss of your personal possessions, which may mean buying additional coverage if you have valuable personal belongings.

To find the right coverage for your individual needs and budget, make sure you understand what a standard policy covers. Standard home insurance doesn’t cover all perils. For example, most homeowners insurance policies don’t include flooding as a covered peril. Anyone living in a flood plain or other area at risk of flooding should purchase a separate flood insurance policy through a private insurer or the National Flood Insurance Program.

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What are some of the biggest risks when owning a home in Rochester?

Here are some of the most common types of perils that homes in Rochester are likely to encounter:

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/a72798aa06/weather-96x96-green_016-snow.svg

    Severe winter weather

    Upstate New York is known for its extreme winter weather, including heavy snowfall, cold waves, and ice storms. All of these wintry conditions can potentially damage your home. The good news is that a standard homeowners insurance policy covers any damage caused by winter weather, including things like frozen pipes. But it’s always a good idea to look over your current homeowners policy to make sure it covers the most common damage caused by winter in your area.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/150x150/0194b78427/weather-96x96-orange_043-flood.svg

    Flooding

    While Rochester doesn’t have as high a flood risk as other areas of the country, flooding is still a potential hazard that homeowners must take seriously. For example, heavy rainfall and melting snow led to minor flooding in Rochester in January 2024, which caused major headaches for any homeowners without flood insurance.[3] Since standard home insurance policies don’t cover flooding, it’s important to make sure you get flood insurance coverage either through a private insurance company or the National Flood Insurance Program.

  • illustration card https://a.storyblok.com/f/162273/x/743065ad20/theft.svg

    Theft

    Unfortunately, the city of Rochester has a fairly serious problem with crime, with 3,605 property crimes committed for every 100,000 people. This is a significantly higher crime rate compared to the national average.[4] While standard homeowners insurance does cover loss of personal property due to theft or vandalism, you may need additional coverage for valuable assets like jewelry, artwork, electronics, or other valuable items.

Rochester homeowners insurance FAQs

Finding the best home insurance can be challenging. If you still have questions about homeowners insurance in Rochester, check out the answers below.

  • How much is home insurance in Rochester?

    Homeowners in Rochester, New York, pay an average annual rate of $1,524 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. This is cheaper than the national average of $2,377 per year.

    Your rates will vary depending on many factors, including your ZIP code, age of your home, square footage of your home, and the coverage levels you choose.

  • Which company has the cheapest homeowners insurance in Rochester?

    Ocean Harbor Casualty offers the cheapest rates in Rochester, averaging $402 annually. Other cheap options include Merchants Insurance Group, at $693 per year, and New York Central Mutual Fire, at $794 per year.

  • Does Rochester require homeowners insurance?

    No. Homeowners insurance isn’t required in Rochester or in New York, but your mortgage lender will require you to have home insurance to protect its asset.

    But even if you’ve paid off your mortgage, it’s still a good idea to have homeowners insurance. In the event of a covered peril like winter damage or theft, insurance can help you financially. Without insurance, you’re on the hook for any repairs or replacements.

  • What is the average cost of homeowners insurance in New York?

    New Yorkers pay an average annual rate of $2,257 for a home insurance policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your rates will fluctuate depending on the type of home you have, your ZIP code, crime rates, weather patterns, and other factors.

Sources

  1. National Weather Service. "Rochester Climate Narrative."
  2. Realtor.com. "Rochester, NY."
  3. Democrat & Chronical. "Flooding in Rochester. See the striking photos."
  4. U.S. News. "Rochester NY."
Emily Guy Birken
Emily Guy Birken

Emily Guy Birken is a former educator, lifelong money nerd, and a Plutus Award-winning freelance writer who specializes in the scientific research behind irrational money behaviors. Her background in education allows her to make complex financial topics relatable and easily understood by the layperson.

Her work has appeared on The Huffington Post, Business Insider, Kiplinger's, MSN Money, and The Washington Post online.

She is the author of several books, including The 5 Years Before You Retire, End Financial Stress Now, and the brand new book Stacked: Your Super Serious Guide to Modern Money Management, written with Joe Saul-Sehy.

Emily lives in Milwaukee with her family.

Sara Getman
Edited bySara GetmanAssociate Editor
Sara Getman
Sara GetmanAssociate Editor

Sara Getman is an Associate Editor at Insurify and has been with the company since 2022. Prior to joining Insurify, Sara completed her undergraduate degree in English Literature at Simmons University in Boston. At Simmons, she was the Editor-in-Chief for Sidelines Magazine (a literary and art publication), and wrote creative non-fiction.

Outside of work, Sara is an avid reader, and loves rock climbing, yoga and crocheting.

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