A smooth and reliable home insurance claims experience can help mitigate the stress of sustaining a covered loss to your home or belongings. However, each insurer follows its own process for filing and approving claims, investigating what happened and remitting payment if applicable. That makes it important to find the right provider.
We at the Marketwatch Guides Team comprehensively researched top home insurance providers and their claims processes to help you find out which companies offer the smoothest claims experiences.
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5 Best Homeowners Insurance Companies for Paying Claims
To determine the companies on this list, we surveyed 1,500 policyholders of our top 10 insurance companies. We also consulted third-party data, such as the 2024 J.D. Power U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study, and analyzed customer reviews on aggregators like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and Trustpilot.
- American Family: Our top pick
- State Farm: Best for value
- Allstate: Best for discounts
- Liberty Mutual: Best for finished basem*nts
- Progressive:Best for bundling home and auto
| Provider | Our Rating (out of 5) | Average Approval Time (Days)* | Percent of Claims Approved* | Average Satisfaction Score** | J.D. Power Claim Satisfaction (out of 1,000) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Family | 4.0 | 16 | 99% | 8.34 | 877 |
| State Farm | 4.8 | 12 | 95% | 7.98 | 873 |
| Allstate | 4.8 | 15 | 95% | 8.04 | 868 |
| Liberty Mutual | 4.5 | 10 | 95% | 7.93 | 869 |
| Progressive | 4.5 | 11 | 96% | 7.93 | 851 |
| Average | 4.2 | 12.8 | 96% | 8.04 | 869 |
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*Average approval time and percentage of claims approved are based on our 2023 survey of 1,500 policyholders who have filed a homeowners insurance claim with the providers in this review. Your experience will vary.
**Average satisfaction score is the average of survey participant responses when asked to rate their provider on a scale from 0 to 10 based on their satisfaction with the provider’s claim process.
American Family
Best for married homeowners
4.5
Cost: 4.4/5
Customer Experience: 4.8/5
Industry Standing: 4.2/5
Coverage: 4.6/5
Our Review
A.M. BestAJ.D. Power813/1000Annual Cost$2,668
American Family is a Wisconsin-based insurance provider with property, commercial and auto insurance products that feature comprehensive coverage and add-ons available. It has become a household name after 96 years of industry experience with claims handling and reimbursem*nt. Today, it boasts an A rating from AM Best, signaling strong financial health and claims-paying ability.
*AM Best rating is accurate as of July 2024
Pros and Cons
Pros A+ rating from AM Best suggests financial security for paying large claims Offers 24/7 claims support Allows for claims filing via its mobile app Cons Receives more than the average number of customer complaints Average approval time is higher than competitors on this list
Claims Satisfaction
American Family stands out for its implementation of digital tools that allow consumers to quote, purchase and make claims on a policy with ease. It offers 24/7 claims filing support and policyholders can file claims on the MyAmFam mobile app for greater convenience.
During the past decade, American Family has typically scored close to average on J.D. Power’s Claims Satisfaction study. It dipped below average twice, but scored better than most of the providers on this list in 2023.
Cost
The average annual premium for American Family is $2,534, which is 5% more than the national average of $2,417.10. Sample rates are for illustrative purposes only. Your rates may vary.
*All quotes are based on $350,000 in dwelling coverage for 2023.
State Farm
Best for Value
4.7
Cost: 4.6/5
Customer Experience: 4.9/5
Industry Standing: 4.2/5
Coverage: 5/5
Our Review
A.M. BestBJ.D. Power829/1000Annual Cost$2,200
State Farm is a great choice for new homeowners. Their website is easy to use and provides helpful resources for understanding coverage and risks. They offer extra protection, such as coverage for jewelry and business property, and allow you to customize your policy with a variety of endorsem*nts online and additional ones that your agent can inform you about.
Pros and Cons
Pros Has the highest J.D. Power claims satisfaction score on this list Policyholders can file and track claims with a mobile app Offers a dedicated claims phone number for 24/7 support Cons Doesn’t have an app for filing claims Offers fewer discounts than many competitors
Claims Satisfaction
State Farm has 24/7 customer service for claims filing and a variety of available communication channels to choose from, making it easy for policyholders to initiate a claim. It also features the highest possible financial stability rating from AM Best and consistently ranks close to or above average in J.D. Power’s US Property Claims Satisfaction Study.
How to file a claim
After a covered loss, you can initiate the claims process in numerous ways, so you can choose the method that best fits your needs and minimizes stress. Start the process by calling your agent, calling State Farm’s dedicated claims number, filing online or using the State Farm mobile app. However you decide to file, State Farm will assign your claim to a handler, who will help you through the investigation and settlement processes.
Cost
State Farm’s average annual premium is $2,534, which is 8.3% less than the national average premium for all home insurance carriers.
Allstate
Best for discounts
4.5
Cost: 4.6/5
Customer Experience: 4.3/5
Industry Standing: 4.3/5
Coverage: 4.6/5
Our Review
A.M. BestA+J.D. Power809/1000Annual Cost$2,027
Allstate earned the highest rating on this list for its wide selection of perks and additional coverage. While its base policy doesn’t include anything out of the ordinary, its nine available riders allow you to add only the coverage you need without paying for anything you don’t. It also offers eight discounts, which may help eligible homeowners save money on premium payments.
Pros and Cons
Pros Claim RateGuard could prevent your premium from rising after a covered loss Offers an extensive selection of endorsem*nts and discounts Notifies you if you’re involved in a data breach when you add identity theft protection Cons Has a below average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating Is slower to approve claims than other providers on this list, based on our survey data
Claims Satisfaction
Allstate is a well-established insurer with an A+ (Superior) rating from AM Best and a long-standing reputation of claims-paying ability. It has fewer than the average number of complaints filed against it, according to the NAIC, which we corroborated by reading multiple positive customer reviews highlighting its easy claims process.
The brand also performed well in our proprietary survey, where respondents reported an average of 95% of claims approved and an average approval time of 15 days.
Allstate received average scores on J.D. Power’s Claim Satisfaction Survey from 2020 through 2022 and dipped slightly below average in 2023. That said, it hasn’t strayed more than six points above or below the average rating in the past 10 years.
How to file a claim
Allstate recommends logging into your online account to file a claim. However, you can also file by calling your agent or Allstate directly or visiting an Allstate Mobile Claims Center near you. The provider’s Mobile Claims Centers are staffed with catastrophe personnel to help you answer claim questions or file a claim in person.
If your claim is approved, Allstate will pay you directly or send the money to whoever is responsible for making repairs.
Cost
Allstate’s average annual premium is $2,230.82, which is 7.7% lower than average rates in the U.S.
Liberty Mutual
Best for finished basem*nts
4.4
Cost: 4.4/5
Customer Experience: 4.7/5
Industry Standing: 4/5
Coverage: 4.6/5
Our Review
A.M. BestAJ.D. Power789/1000Annual CostN/A
Liberty Mutual is a smart choice for homeowners who qualify for a variety of discounts or have expensive premiums due to owning an older home. It provides impressive savings opportunities on its insurance coverage, such as paperless payment and simply purchasing your policy online. These discounts may vary by location and your personal details. While the standard policy doesn’t include many bells and whistles, it does offer replacement cost for contents and can be bolstered by an array of paid endorsem*nts.
Pros and Cons
Pros Provides 24/7 policy access via website and mobile app Has the shortest average claims approval time on this list based on our survey data Policyholders can file claims via phone, mobile app or online portal Cons Requires sensitive information for online quotes Offers lower deductible options than many competitors
Claims Satisfaction
Whether you experience vandalism, fire or another peril, Liberty Mutual makes filing all types of insurance claims easy during a stressful time. In our survey, Liberty Mutual approved 99% of claims within an average of 10 days. The provider has an A (Excellent) financial strength rating by AM Best and fewer than average complaints, according to the NAIC.
Liberty Mutual is also a veteran of the J.D. Power Claims Satisfaction Survey, scoring above average in six of the last 10 years. Its current rating of 870 is just slightly lower than the industry average (874).
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How to file a claim
Policyholders can file via mobile app, phone or online portal 24/7, so you can report a loss immediately. After filing, you will be assigned a claims representative who will receive any documentation, like receipts or photos, and help you answer questions you may have during the process.
Cost
We source average cost data from Quadrant Information Services, the leading source of property and casualty insurance solutions and data. Quadrant is unable to provide sample premiums for this provider.
Progressive
Best for bundling home and auto
4.3
Cost: 4.4/5
Customer Experience: 4.2/5
Industry Standing: 4.3/5
Coverage: 4.6/5
Our Review
A.M. BestA+J.D. Power791/1000Annual Cost$3,304
Progressive offers bundling options for added savings but has high annual premiums compared to competitors. Progressive has excellent third-party ratings for brand trust. It brokers homeowners insurance and connects customers to providers like Nationwide and Assurant, potentially resulting in coverage and claims experience differences.
Pros and Cons
Pros Has fewer than the average number of complaints filed with state insurance bodies Offers a discount when you obtain a quote 10 or more days before your policy starts Strong AM Best rating suggests its high claims-paying ability Cons Has a below-average J.D. Power claims satisfaction rating Claims experience may vary based on third-party underwriter
Claims Satisfaction
Progressive uses third-party underwriters to manage its home insurance policies and claims processes, meaning your experience may vary. Even so, our survey revealed that its percentage of approved claims and average approval time were in line with competitors that underwrite policies internally.
While the insurance giant is missing from the 2013 through 2019 iterations of the J.D. Power U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study, it’s had a consistent appearance since 2020. This suggests customer perception of its claims process is steadily improving.
How to file a claim
When you experience a covered loss, Progressive can help connect you with the insurer that underwrites your home insurance policy. If you know who underwrites your policy, you can also call them directly.
Cost
Progressive is significantly more expensive than the other providers on this list, with an average premium of $4,205.54. That is 74% more than the national average for home insurance. Sample rates are for illustrative purposes only. Your insurance rates may vary.
*All quotes are based on $350,000 in dwelling coverage for 2023.
Claims Analysis by Provider
We determined our choices for the home insurance providers with the best claims experiences using proprietary research and reputable third-party sources. Primarily, we surveyed policyholders for direct insight into their opinions of top providers and reviewed provider rankings on the J.D. Power U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study.
MarketWatch Guides Team Claims Survey
In 2023, we surveyed 1,500 policyholders of our top-ranked home insurance providers and asked them to answer questions about their claims experience. The following chart contains our insights.
J.D. Power U.S. Property Claims Satisfaction Study
J.D. Power is a global leader in using big data, artificial intelligence and algorithmic modeling to understand interactions between customers and brands and has provided insights for more than 50 years. We used its Property Claims Satisfaction Study as another marker of consumer sentiment regarding home insurance claims.
The study ranks providers’ claims satisfaction among consumers who have filed at least one claim for property damage. It focuses on five factors, including:
- Claim settlement
- Claim servicing
- First notice of loss
- Estimation process
- Repair process
Here are the companies that scored the highest and the lowest on the 2024 iteration of J.D. Power’s property claims satisfaction study.
Top 3 Providers
| Provider | Score |
|---|---|
| Amica | 906 |
| AIG | 889 |
| Erie Insurance | 888 |
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Bottom 3 Providers
| Provider | Score |
|---|---|
| Homesite | 820 |
| Travelers | 845 |
| Safeco | 851 |
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USAA is not included in the official ranking because it does not meet the criteria, but is one of the top scoring companies with a score of 899.
How Claims Impact Insurance Premiums
Filing a home insurance claim is stressful enough, but that stress can be compounded by rising premiums. Home insurance providers look at your last five to seven years of claims history and use it to modify your overall risk level (i.e. your likelihood of filing another claim). Filing a claim increases your risk and therefore your cost of coverage. If you file multiple claims in quick succession, your policy might be canceled and you could have trouble enrolling with another carrier.
Below are the national average annual premiums for a homeowner with a recent claim on record. Note that these are sample premiums and your experience may vary based on a multitude of factors that impact the cost of home insurance.
Since each provider underwrites its policies differently, there’s no set increase you can count on. Instead, the amount you’ll end up paying after a claim depends on the type of claim and which provider you signed with. Consult the chart below to see how four common claim types could impact your premiums with each of 10 popular providers and find the cheapest home insurance provider for your needs.
We at the Guides Home Team gathered 2024 home insurance quotes for the providers in this article using data from Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant is a leading source of property and casualty insurance solutions and data.
Our sample homeowner is a 40-year-old single male with good credit and no prior claims history. Our sample policies featured a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage and limits:
- Dwelling: $350,000
- Other Structures: $25,000
- Personal Property: $150,000
- Loss of Use: $50,000
- Liability: $300,000
- Medical Payments: $1,000
For each provider, we gathered a quote for 50% of the ZIP codes in every state it is licensed in. We used the most populous ZIP codes for our study. We took the average of these individual quotes to calculate national and state average premiums for each provider. Our sample rates are for informational purposes only. Actual premiums will vary.
The Bottom Line
American Family is our top recommendation for easy, smooth and reliable claims processing. It offers 24/7 availability and digital tools to help make the process seamless. Policyholders agree, based on our survey results, as respondents rated its claims process an average of 8.34 out of 10. Homeowners looking for numerous discounts may find that Liberty Mutual is a good fit, while those looking for a customizable policy may find the coverage they need with Allstate.
It’s important to shop around and find a home insurer that matches your needs not only for claims, but also for cost and coverage options. We recommend gathering insurance quotes from at least three providers before making a final decision.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Home Insurance Claims
Yes, Progressive is good with claims. Even though it uses third-party underwriters that handle the claims process itself, its performance in our proprietary survey and J.D. Power’s U.S. Property Claims Study showcase a positive public perception to its home insurance claims handling.
Your claim likely won’t be denied for property damaged outside of your home. Most insurers provide some coverage for items outside of your home but may place limits or restrictions on the amount of coverage or types of covered items.
The amount you receive in your claim settlement depends on the grade of coverage you have. Actual cash value coverage pays out the current worth of your property after depreciation has been calculated. Replacement cost coverage pays the amount needed to purchase a new replacement item, even if its value exceeds the cost of your used item.
How We Gather Cost Data
We at the Marketwatch Guides Team gathered home insurance quotes for the providers in this article using 2024 data from Quadrant Information Services. Quadrant is a leading source of property and casualty insurance solutions and data.
Our sample homeowner is a 40-year-old single male with good credit and no prior claims history. Our sample policies featured a $1,000 deductible and the following coverage and limits:
- Dwelling: $350,000
- Other Structures: $25,000
- Personal Property: $150,000
- Loss of Use: $50,000
- Liability: $300,000
- Medical Payments: $1,000
For each provider, we gathered a quote for 50% of the ZIP codes in every state it is licensed in. We used the most populous ZIP codes for our study. We took the average of these individual quotes to calculate a national average premium per provider. Our sample rates are for informational purposes only. Actual premiums will vary.
Methodology: How We Chose the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies
Our team surveyed dozens of home insurance providers and created a scoring system to assess and compare each company’s quality and service. Here are the factors that account for our provider scores according to our home insurance rating methodology:
- Coverage (28%): We analyze the comprehensiveness of each provider’s standard home insurance policy and compare optional policy endorsem*nts to determine the quality of coverage.
- Cost (27%): We compare cost data for homes nationwide to assess how competitively priced each provider is. We also consider each company’s available discounts when determining its overall cost of coverage.
- Availability and ease of use (25%): We evaluate each company’s customer service options, such as live chat, a customer support phone line, and multiple channels for filing claims and generating quotes. Similarly, we score providers based on their digital resources, such as a mobile app or online customer portal.
- Brand trust (20%): We gauge reputation by evaluating consumer reviews and third-party financial strength and customer experience ratings, including from J.D. Power, AM Best and customer review aggregators.
Companies with the best customer service exhibit 24/7 availability, useful digital tools and a quick claims-filing process. Providers that offer extensive discount options, endorsem*nts, customizable coverage options and unique features score significantly higher than those that don’t, putting them toward the top of our recommendations to readers.
AM Best Disclaimer
If you have feedback or questions about this article, please email the MarketWatch Guides team at [email protected].
