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.

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.

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.

Best insurer for bundling: New York Central Mutual Insurance

Best insurer for discounts: National General

Best insurer for optional coverages: Travelers

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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: