A small white Vermont farmhouse inside a glass dome with gentle snow, while a storm rages outside the glass

Quick Answer

Vermont homeowners pay about a third of the national average for home insurance, according to Insurify's mid-2026 data, and New England has some of the most stable insurance markets in the country. That lowers the monthly cost of owning here. It does not include flood coverage, which is a separate policy.

Complain About the Heating Bill. Not This One.

New Englanders are world-class complainers about the cost of living. Property taxes. Heating oil. The price of a sandwich in Stowe. Most of it is fair.

Home insurance is the exception, and almost nobody notices.

The average Vermont homeowner pays about a third of what the typical American homeowner pays to insure a house, according to Insurify's mid-2026 data. Florida homeowners pay nearly eight times what Vermonters do. And while premiums nationally kept climbing in the first half of 2026, Vermont's dipped slightly.

This is not luck. Insurance follows losses. New England does not get Gulf hurricanes, Western wildfires or Plains hailstorms on a regular schedule. LendingTree ranked Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine the four most stable home insurance markets in the country this year.

In dollars, the gap between Vermont's average premium and the national average is about $161 a month. At today's mortgage rates, that is the payment on roughly another $24,000 of home loan. Quiet money, but real.

If You Are Selling

Use it. Buyers relocating from Florida, Colorado or California are often shocked by what they pay where they live now. Get a current quote on your house before you list, and put the annual premium on your listing sheet next to the tax bill and the heating costs. A low, known number removes a worry.

If You Are Buying

Get your insurance quote during your inspection period, not after it. Insurers look closely at roof age, wiring, the heating system and any oil tank, so an old farmhouse can quote very differently from a newer home down the road.

And remember: a standard homeowners policy does not cover flood. If the house sits anywhere near the Winooski, the Mad River or the Dog River, price flood coverage separately before you commit.

If You Are Staying Put

A low state average can hide a policy that no longer fits. Check your renewal for rebuild cost, not market value. Construction costs, not sale prices, drive what you need. If you have savings to cover it, a higher deductible can lower the premium. Shop the policy every few years. Loyalty is not a discount.

If You Are Renting or Still Dreaming

Renters insurance is one of the best bargains in personal finance. And when you run the numbers on owning, use a Vermont insurance figure. A calculator built on national averages will overstate what owning here costs.

What to Do This Week

Find your declarations page and check two lines: dwelling coverage and deductible. If you are weighing a purchase or a sale, call me and I will walk you through the full monthly cost of a specific house: payment, taxes, heat and insurance.

By the Numbers

  • Average annual home insurance premium, mid-2026 (Insurify): Vermont $1,080 (down 0.7% in the first half of 2026); Maine $1,372; New Hampshire $1,474; Massachusetts $2,168; Connecticut $2,207; Rhode Island $3,001; U.S. $3,012 (up 2.2%); Florida $8,486.
  • LendingTree 2026 Home Insurance Stability ranking: Massachusetts #1, Vermont #2, New Hampshire #3, Maine #4, Connecticut #7, Rhode Island #9.
  • Cumulative home insurance rate growth, 2020 to 2025 (LendingTree): Vermont 19.6%, Maine 20.0%, New Hampshire 26.9%, Massachusetts 29.6%, Connecticut 39.4%, Rhode Island 45.6%. Highest: Colorado 100.8%.
  • Share of household income spent on home insurance: Vermont 1.6% vs. a 50-state average of 3.7% (LendingTree).
  • Monthly gap, Vermont vs. U.S. average premium: about $161. At 7.18% (Freddie Mac 30-year average, Nov. 5, 2026), $161 a month carries about $23,800 of loan (my calculation).
  • Caveat: Insurify's figures are modeled averages for a standard HO-3 policy at each state's typical dwelling coverage, assuming good credit and no recent claims. Your quote will differ. Flood is not included.

Read the Vermont Home Buying Guide or call Tony at 802-233-4107.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is homeowners insurance in Vermont?

Insurify's mid-2026 data puts the average Vermont premium at about $1,080 a year, roughly a third of the U.S. average of $3,012. Your quote depends on the home's age, roof, heating system, coverage amount, deductible and claims history.

Does homeowners insurance cover flooding in Vermont?

No. Standard homeowners policies exclude flood damage. Flood coverage is a separate policy, available through the National Flood Insurance Program or private insurers. Buyers near rivers should price it before making an offer.

Why is home insurance cheaper in New England?

Insurance prices follow losses. New England sees fewer hurricanes, wildfires and hailstorms than many regions, and LendingTree ranks Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine as the four most stable home insurance markets in the country.

What affects home insurance quotes on older Vermont homes?

Insurers commonly ask about roof age, electrical wiring, the heating system and any oil tank. Updating these can improve both insurability and price, so get a quote during your inspection period.

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Sources

Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty, Waterbury Center, Vermont. 802-233-4107.