Homeowners in Kansas pay an average of $3,856 per year for a $300,000 home insurance policy with a $1,000 deductible, which is higher than the national average cost of $2,529 per year.

Considering that Kansas is famous for tornadoes — including those that carry farm girls (and their little dogs, too) to Oz — it makes sense that homeowners in the state pay higher home insurance premiums than the average American. Two Kansas counties have a very high risk of tornadoes, while another five face a moderately high risk of twisters.1

But even with this increased risk of natural disasters, Kansans can find a home insurance policy to keep their houses safe. Here’s what you need to know about comparing quotes and finding the best Kansas homeowners insurance.

Best home insurance companies in Kansas

The best home insurance company in Kansas won’t be the same for every homeowner. Many good homeowners insurance options are available to Sunflower State homeowners, and it’s important to shop around to find the right one for your coverage needs.

Cheapest rates: Armed Forces Insurance Exchange

Kansas is home to 20,578 active-duty service members and 14,251 National Guard and reserve members.3 Kansas veterans, active-duty members of the military, and their families can get the cheapest homeowners insurance in the state through Armed Forces Insurance Exchange.

If you qualify for a policy with this insurer, you can access a number of important optional coverages, including earthquake, flood, water backup and sump overflow, and animal liability coverage. You may also qualify for a number of discounts and credits for things like installing central station burglar and fire alarms, implementing windstorm-mitigation features, and living in a gated or guarded community.

Best insurer for customer satisfaction: Auto-Owners

Best insurer for policy customization: Allstate

Best insurer for eco-friendly homes: Farmers

Cheapest home insurance in Kansas

The cheapest home insurance company in Kansas is Farmers. 

But just because Farmers has the lowest prices doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best homeowners insurance company for you.

The following insurers offer low rates and are among the best home insurance companies in the state:

Cost of homeowners insurance in Kansas

The average cost of home insurance in Kansas is $3,856 per year, or about $321 per month, for a $300,000 dwelling policy with a $1,000 deductible. This is higher than the national average cost of $2,529 per year for the same level of coverage.

Kansas home insurance rates are higher than the national average in part because of the increased risk of natural disasters in the Sunflower State. As part of Tornado Alley, many cities and counties in Kansas are more likely to experience severe storms, heavy rain, and wind damage, all of which can increase home insurance costs.

Cost of homeowners insurance by dwelling coverage amount

Dwelling coverage is the part of your home insurance policy that protects the physical structure of your house. If there’s damage to the structure of your home — which may include attached structures, such as garages — dwelling coverage will pay to repair the damage.

The Kansas Department of Insurance and other insurance professionals recommend homeowners purchase enough dwelling coverage to pay for at least 80% of the replacement cost of rebuilding the home. Just remember that increasing your dwelling coverage will also raise your premiums. Researching your dwelling coverage options can help you make the best choices for your peace of mind.

In the table below, you’ll find the average rates for Kansas home insurance policies with different levels of dwelling coverage for policies with a $1,000 deductible.

Cost of homeowners insurance by deductible

When you make an insurance claim, you’re responsible for paying a set amount of money — the deductible — before the insurance coverage kicks in. Your insurance rates depend partially on your deductible, with a higher deductible corresponding to a lower premium rate.

Increasing your deductible can be a savvy way to lower your homeowners insurance costs, although you should make sure you can afford to pay for a higher deductible in the event of a natural disaster or other covered loss.

Here’s how Kansas homeowners insurance policies are priced based on deductible for policies with $300,000 in dwelling coverage:

How to get cheap homeowners insurance in Kansas

A number of factors determine how much you’ll pay for homeowners insurance. While some factors are outside of your control, you can use several strategies to ensure you have the best coverage at the most affordable rates:4

• Compare quotes. In addition to different coverage offerings, insurance companies also use different factors to set your premium amounts. Shopping around among multiple insurers can help you find the right homeowners insurance at the lowest rate.

• Bundle other insurance policies with your home insurance. Buying multiple insurance products from the same insurer — such as auto insurance, home insurance, and life insurance — will often score you a discount on all your policies.

• Increase your deductible. An easy way to lower your premium rates is by opting for a higher deductible. This may lower your insurance costs, but remember that you’ll have to meet the higher deductible if you have to make a claim for property damage or lost or damaged personal belongings.

• Ask about discounts. You may qualify for a number of common insurance discounts, including those for new homes, green construction materials, paying in full, setting up automatic payments, seniors, loyal customers, claims-free customers, military members, and securing your home against disasters and theft.

How much homeowners insurance do you need in Kansas?

Kansas doesn’t have a legal requirement for homeowners to carry a home insurance policy. This makes it different from auto insurance, which the state requires for anyone who gets behind the wheel. But even though Kansas doesn’t mandate home insurance products for property owners, lenders will require it as a condition of the loan for any homeowner with a mortgage.

As for how much coverage you need, it’s helpful to start by determining exactly what your home insurance policy covers since not all perils are considered a covered loss.

For example, one major gap in standard homeowners insurance is flood protection, which insurers almost never include in a typical home insurance policy. If you live in a high-risk flood zone, you’ll need to purchase a separate flood insurance policy either from the National Flood Insurance Program or from one of many private companies that offer flood damage protection.

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

Homes in different states face different climate- and location-related risks. But even within the Sunflower State, your ZIP code can experience very different perils compared to other Kansas locations. Local weather patterns, climate, theft and property crime statistics, and proximity to fire stations can all affect your particular risks.

The most common risks to homes in Kansas include: