Home insurance in Arizona

The average cost of Arizona home insurance premiums is $917, according to the latest data from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners in 2021, but many states have seen significant price increases since then. Your home’s premiums and risks depend on its location and other characteristics. Rates vary widely across Arizona, so the best way to see if you can save is to get a quote.

How much you pay for home insurance in Arizona will depend on several factors, including:

• Property’s replacement cost, which is based on material and labor prices in your area. The higher your replacement cost, the more coverage you’ll need. 

• Age of your roof and home. Aging roofs and older homes often lead to higher premiums. 

• Where you live (down to the ZIP code). Properties in areas at an increased risk for natural disasters or crime are often more expensive to insure. Likewise, your proximity to fire 

• Claims history. If you have made frequent claims over the last few years, you may see a higher premium. Your insurer may also consider the claims history of the property, even if you weren’t living there at the time. 

• Your insurance-based credit score. In many states, insurers use your insurance-based credit score to determine rates. A history of on-time payments and limited debts can lead to lower premiums. 

• Risks associated with the property. This can include location-specific risks, such as natural disasters or crime, as well as property-specific risks, such as pools, ponds, or lakes. 

• Policy details, including limits, deductibles, and any additional coverages.  

Your exact home insurance needs will depend on several factors, like the property you’re insuring and your risk tolerance. Below are common considerations to keep in mind when purchasing a home insurance policy in Arizona: 

• Dwelling coverage. You should have enough dwelling coverage to cover 100% of the cost to rebuild your home to its prior state if destroyed. Your replacement cost estimate should be based on the square footage of your home and local material and labor costs. 

• Other structures coverage. Generally, your other structures coverage is set to at least 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. Consider the replacement cost of other structures on your property to determine if you need more coverage. 

• Personal property coverage. Set to at least 50% of your dwelling coverage limit, this covers the contents of your home. Complete a home inventory to determine if you need more or less than the recommended amount.

• Loss of use coverage. Typically set at 20% of your dwelling coverage limit, this will cover additional living expenses if a covered event displaces you. 

• Medical payments to others coverage. Coverage limits usually range from $1,000 to $5,000 to cover minor medical expenses for guests injured on your property, regardless of who is at fault. 

• Personal liability coverage: You should have at least $100,000 to $300,000 in liability protection, though you may need more if you have high-risk home features, such as a pool, or high-value assets. 

Standard home insurance in Arizona provides financial protection for a range of perils. However, it typically does not cover: 

• Flooding, including that from storm surges, heavy rains, and overflowing bodies of water

• Mudflows

• Earthquakes

• Maintenance issues

• Wear and tear

• Pest and animal infestations

• Intentional damage caused by you or a member of your household

If your property is at risk for any of the perils excluded above, you can often address coverage gaps with policy add-ons (also known as endorsements) or stand-alone policies. For instance, if you live in a flood zone, you may need to add a flood insurance endorsement to your home insurance policy or purchase a stand-alone flood insurance policy. 

A standard home insurance policy in Arizona can cover a range of losses, but it won’t cover everything. To fill potential gaps in coverage, consider the following policies or endorsements. 

• Flood insurance. Many homes are at risk of flooding in Arizona. Evaluate your risks to determine if you should purchase flood insurance or add a flood insurance endorsement to your policy. 

• Earthquake insurance. Some Arizona properties, particularly those located along the Northern Arizona Seismic Belt, are at significant risk of earthquake damage. Assess your property risks and consider earthquake coverage if necessary. 

• Ordinance or law coverage. This add-on helps cover the cost to bring damaged parts of your home up to current building codes after a covered loss. It’s especially useful for older Arizona homes or areas with strict code updates—costs not typically included in standard policies.

• Water backup coverage. Failed sump pumps, sudden monsoon storms, and flash floods can overwhelm drainage systems, causing sewer backups. Standard home insurance policies don’t cover damage caused by sewer backups. Adding a water backup coverage endorsement can bridge the gap. 

• Extended replacement cost coverage. This policy endorsement extends your dwelling cover limit by a specific percentage, such as 25%. This provides financial protection if building costs surge, which is often the case after a natural disaster. 

No, home insurance is not legally required in Arizona or any other state. However, if you have a mortgage on your home, your lender will likely require you to carry a specific amount of home insurance until the loan is paid off. 

Even if your home is paid off, going without home insurance can leave you financially vulnerable. Maintaining coverage can help you cover the cost to repair, replace, or rebuild your property after a covered loss. It can also provide liability protection if you or a covered member of your household is at fault for injuring a third party on your property or damaging their property.