Homeowners Insurance in Anniston, Alabama

Anniston, Alabama, lies halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Georgia. It’s the county seat of Calhoun County and is enveloped by picturesque scenery. 

The best way to protect your property in Anniston is with homeowners insurance. Keep reading to learn the average cost of home insurance in Anniston, factors that affect premiums, and the types of protection you can expect when you get a policy.

The average cost of homeowners insurance in Anniston is about $2,480 per year. This is higher than the nearby large city of Birmingham, but lower than the average rates in Foley, which are similar in population to Anniston.

It’s important to note that homeowners insurance premiums are on the rise in the southern states, especially those vulnerable to hurricanes and the damage they inflict.

Homeowners insurance is required if you have a mortgage. Your lender will force-place insurance on you if you don’t acquire a policy on your own, so it’s important to make the right choice when getting coverage.

Home insurance in Anniston can range quite a bit. Every company has a different way of underwriting that causes rates to vary for every person. Also, some insurers may have endorsements available that others don’t, which can make some companies more appealing than others.

It’s hard to get an accurate picture of home insurance in Anniston by just looking at averages, though. Many factors affect rates. A significant one is home value. How much you pay for coverage depends on how much insurance you need, and how much insurance you need depends on your home’s value. 

The value of your house is essential because, generally, the larger and more expensive your house is, the more it’ll cost to insure. Larger homes have higher replacement costs. 

More expensive homes have costly features, high-end appliances, or rarer materials that would cost more to replace if they were damaged. For instance, ornate staircases, intricately designed pieces, and rare or antique furniture would all cost your insurance company more to replicate or replace after a claim.

Homeowners insurance policies are divided into sections according to the coverage they provide. A plan protects much more than just your house. A typical home insurance policy includes:

Dwelling coverage: protects the main structure of your house and its permanently attached features. Dwelling coverage extends to your roof, walls, floor, wiring, HVAC system, and more. 

The amount of dwelling coverage you have is based on the value of your home. For instance, if you have a $150,000 home, you’ll need at least $150,000 of dwelling coverage.

Other Structures coverage: covers the features on your property that aren’t attached to your primary dwelling. This includes sheds, gazebos, fences, and more. 

Your other structures coverage amount is usually 10% of your dwelling coverage. So, if you have $150,000 of dwelling coverage, you may have about $15,000 worth of other structures coverage.

Personal Property coverage: designed to guard the belongings in and around your home. Personal property coverage includes clothes, furniture, electronics, jewelry, tools, and more.

Policies operate on either a replacement cost basis or an actual cash value basis when reimbursing you for damaged or stolen items. Replacement cost personal property coverage doesn’t factor in items’ depreciation, which means it pays out more. But, it also costs more.

Loss of Use: covers expenses you rack up if you’re forced to move out of your house after damage from a covered peril. If you must move out when your insurance company repairs your house after a covered loss, your loss of use coverage can cover your hotel stay, food, gas, and more.

Liability: limits your liability in case of an accident on or around your property, like if someone slips or gets bitten by your dog. Liability coverage protects your finances when someone gets hurt on your property and pursues you for damages. Liability coverage can cover your legal fees and the injured party’s medical costs.

Medical Payments: similar to liability coverage, but designated only for minor injuries that someone suffers. Homeowners insurance policies usually come with at least $100,00 of liability coverage, yet only a few thousand dollars of medical payments coverage.

Insurance companies look at many factors when determining home insurance rates. In addition to the ones we’ve already mentioned, providers consider:

Insurers also consider your susceptibility to weather damage. Anniston is largely shielded from hurricanes because it’s so far inland. But, tornado damage is a regular threat in Calhoun County. The area has a history of tornadoes, and the frequency with which this storm occurs in Alabama is on the rise. 

Due to the increased chances of receiving a wind damage claim, insurance companies may charge higher rates in areas affected by tornadoes than in regions with no possibility of seeing one.

With several home insurance options in Anniston, it might be confusing where to turn for coverage. We’d love to help. We’re Clovered, an independent insurance agency that partners with many of the top carriers in the country. We operate in 20 states, including Alabama. 

We’re always here to help. You can compare multiple quotes at a time through our online quoting platform or speak to a licensed agent on the phone. Just call 833-255-4117 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. You can also email us anytime at agent@clovered.com.