The Best Homeowners Insurance in Mississippi for 2023 – NerdWallet

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Mississippi is $2,510 per year, or about $210 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s considerably higher than the national average of $1,820 per year.

We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Mississippi. Our sample rates are for a homeowner with good credit and $300,000 dwelling coverage, $300,000 liability coverage, and a $1,000 deductible. But, of course, your rates will be different.

Note: Some insurance companies in this article may have changed their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.

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.

See more details about each company to help you decide which is best.

State Farm is a great choice for homeowners who like to work directly with a company representative, as the company sells policies through a vast network of agents. And its attention to customer service has paid off; the company has fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.

State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.

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.

We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. In addition, you can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.

Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.

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 Mississippi can participate 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.

The average annual cost of home insurance in Mississippi is $2,510. That’s 38% more than the national average of $1,820.

In most U.S. states, including Mississippi, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.

In Mississippi, those with poor credit pay an average of $5,640 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s more than twice as much as those with good credit.

How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Mississippi depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Jackson is $2,815 per year, while homeowners in Gulfport pay $3,650 per year, on average.

Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Mississippi average of $2,510.

Mississippi sees a wide range of severe weather that homeowners should consider when shopping for the best homeowners insurance in the state.

On the Gulf of Mexico, Mississippi is vulnerable to hurricanes. These fierce storms can cause damage from strong winds, storm surge and flooding. If you’re in a coastal area, ensure you have enough wind and flood damage coverage. Read more about hurricane insurance.

Wind damage is typically included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. However, residents of coastal areas may have windstorm exclusions or a separate wind deductible. These are often a flat rate, such as $1,000 or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for hail or wind claims. So if your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of hail damage yourself.

If wind damage is not covered in your policy, you may be able to purchase separate wind coverage from the “windpool,” or the Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association.

Flooding is a common hazard in Mississippi, particularly in areas near rivers or other bodies of water or due to hurricanes and tropical storms. Flood damage is not typically covered by standard homeowners insurance; you’ll need to buy a separate flood insurance policy.

To find out if you’re at risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.

Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage anytime, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.

Tornadoes are not uncommon in Mississippi, and they seem to be increasing in frequency. The past five years have averaged 86 tornadoes a year, up from an average of 33 a year. Much like hurricanes, the force of wind from these storms can cause significant damage to homes.

Thankfully, standard homeowners insurance will cover tornado damage, but you’ll still want to review your policy carefully. There may be a separate deductible for wind damage, as described in the hurricane section.

Severe thunderstorms that produce hail are common in Mississippi. In 2022, there were 108 reports of hail-producing thunderstorms. Hail can cause significant damage to roofs, windows, and siding. The good news for homeowners is that hail damage is often covered by standard policies.

However, as with wind damage, you may have a separate deductible for hail claims, so read your policy carefully to ensure you know what’s covered.

The Mississippi Insurance Department oversees the state’s insurance industry and provides consumer protection and resources. For example, its website includes guides to shopping for homeowners insurance in Mississippi, a hurricane insurance checklist and other disaster preparedness information.

You can file a complaint against your insurance company with the Mississippi Insurance Department; you can do so by mail, fax or online form. If you have questions about filing a complaint or need help, you can request assistance by email at [email protected] or toll-free at 800-562-2957.

Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.