Homeowners Insurance in Washington
Home insurance that’s built for real life. From the Cascades to the Puget Sound – your home, your stuff, and your liability, covered. Whatever Washington throws at it, you’re set.
What does homeowners insurance cover in Washington?
A standard Washington homeowners policy covers your home, your stuff, your liability, and your living costs if something goes seriously wrong. Here are the different
types of coverages included in your policy.
Dwelling
If your home is damaged by a covered event, your policy covers the cost to reconstruct your house – walls, roof, and built-in fixtures included.
Personal property
If your stuff gets stolen or damaged by a covered peril, your policy covers the cost to replace it – yes, even if it happens away from home.
Other structures
If a covered event damages structures on your property that aren’t attached to your home, like a detached garage, fence, or shed, your policy has you covered.
Loss of use
If your home becomes unlivable due to a covered loss, your policy covers temporary housing and living expenses until you’re back on your feet.
Personal liability
If you’re sued or a visitor gets injured on your property, your policy covers legal costs and medical bills up to your selected limit.
Floods, earthquakes, and normal wear and tear aren’t part of the deal. We love Washington, but some things are bigger than a homeowners policy.
How much is homeowners insurance in Washington?
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is *$130 per month. Your rate depends on several factors like your home’s age, location, and how much coverage you need.
Here’s what Washington homeowners typically pay in popular cities:
| City in WA | Average monthly cost |
|---|---|
| Seattle | $123 |
| Spokane | $131 |
| Tacoma | $132 |
| Bellevue | $123 |
| Vancouver | $126 |
Source: ValuePenguin
Is homeowners insurance required by law in Washington?
No, homeowners insurance in Washington is not required by law. But if you have a mortgage, your lender almost certainly does. And with Washington’s combination of wildfire risk, windstorms, and seismic activity, going without coverage is a significant financial gamble either way.
How much homeowners insurance do you need in Washington?
The right amount depends on your home, your stuff, and your lifestyle. Here’s how much homeowners insurance you need:
Dwelling coverage
Coverage is calculated based on what it would actually cost to rebuild your Washington home from the ground up, up to $1,250,000. Washington's construction costs are among the highest in the Pacific Northwest, so it's worth reviewing this number annually.
More on dwelling coverageOther structures coverage
Coverage is automatically set at 10% of your dwelling limit for 1 to 2 family homes, or 5% for 3+ family homes. If you have significant structures on your property, make sure your dwelling limit reflects that.
More on other structuresPersonal property coverage
Coverage defaults to 70% of your dwelling limit, with options to adjust depending on your home type. Walk through your home and add up what it would cost to replace everything, that sum should be your personal property limit.
More on personal propertyLoss of use coverage
Coverage is set at 30% of your dwelling limit. Think about how much you'd spend on temporary housing, meals, and other expenses if your home became unlivable due to covered damage. Spending just one week in a Seattle hotel will run you around $1,400 to $1,750, so factor in your local costs.
More on loss of usePersonal liability coverage
Coverage ranges from $100,000 to $500,000. This covers legal fees and medical bills if someone gets hurt on your property or you accidentally damage someone else's property. Most mortgage lenders will specify a minimum, so check your requirements.
More on personal liabilityHow does Lemonade protect Washington homeowners?
Coverage built for Pacific Northwest living, and everything Washington weather throws at it.
Storm damage
Washington sees powerful windstorms and atmospheric rivers that can cause serious damage. If a covered storm makes your home unlivable, your policy covers repairs and temporary housing costs.
Theft protection
Heading out to the Olympic Peninsula for the weekend? Your stuff is covered whether it’s taken from your home or away from it – on your property or anywhere else.
Wildfire coverage
Eastern Washington’s dry summers make wildfire a real and recurring threat. If a covered wildfire forces you out, your loss of use coverage kicks in to cover temporary housing and living expenses.
Washington homeowners: By the numbers
Washington homeowners invest significantly in their properties, with the average home value sitting at $640,000. Here’s what the data tells us:
A better way to protect your Washington home
Lemonade was built to do insurance differently. Real people, real homes, and real coverage that actually works when you need it most. Here’s what sets us apart.
Trusted by 3M+ customers
Lemonade is one of the fastest-growing insurance companies in the US, trusted by over 3 million customers and counting.
Coverage built for you
Easily add and adjust coverages at the end of your quote – so your policy works for you, not the other way around.
Accepted by all major lenders
Lemonade homeowners insurance is accepted by all major mortgage lenders in Washington, so you can close without the hassle.
How to insure your home in Washington?
Getting covered shouldn’t feel like a second job. With Lemonade, the whole thing takes as little as 90 seconds – no paperwork, no agents, no waiting on hold. Here’s how it works.
1. Download the Lemonade app
Rated 4.9/5 stars on the App Store, the Lemonade app is where your quote starts. Fast, intuitive, and built to get you covered without the back-and-forth.
2. Answer a few simple questions
Tell us a bit about your home and walk through your coverage options. No jargon, no pressure – just the right policy for you.
3. Customize and confirm
Add or adjust any coverages you need at the end of your quote. Tap confirm and you’re covered. Your policy documents land in your inbox right away.
Homeowners insurance in Washington FAQs
How much homeowners insurance coverage do I need to rebuild a home in Washington?
Your dwelling limit should reflect the full cost to rebuild your home from the ground up – not its market value, and not what you paid for it. That number is calculated using industry-standard replacement cost data and can go up to $1,250,000. Washington’s construction costs are among the highest in the Pacific Northwest, so it’s worth reviewing your dwelling limit annually to make sure you’re not underinsured.
Does a standard policy cover sewer or drain backups during heavy Washington rains?
Not by default. Water backing up through a sewer, drain, or sump pump isn’t covered under a standard homeowners policy. In Washington, where heavy rainfall can quickly overwhelm older drainage systems – especially in Seattle, Tacoma, and Bellevue. You can add optional water backup coverage to your policy.
Does homeowners insurance in Washington cover wildfire damage?
Yes. Wildfire damage is typically covered under a standard policy. If a wildfire makes your home unlivable, loss of use coverage kicks in to cover temporary housing and living expenses. Eastern Washington homeowners in particular should make sure their dwelling limit is high enough to cover a full rebuild. Confirm the specifics of your policy with your insurer.
Does homeowners insurance in Washington cover earthquake damage?
Earthquake damage is not covered under a standard homeowners policy. Washington sits in a seismically active region, so a separate earthquake endorsement is worth considering – particularly if you’re in the Puget Sound area or along the Cascadia Subduction Zone. Your deductible for earthquake coverage is calculated as a percentage of your dwelling limit.
Is flood insurance required in Washington if I'm not in a FEMA flood zone?
No, it’s not required outside a designated flood zone. But Washington’s river valleys and heavy rainfall seasons mean flood risk exists well beyond official flood maps. A separate flood policy is still worth considering for an additional layer of protection.
A few quick words, because we <3 our lawyers: This post is general in nature, and any statement in it doesn’t alter the terms, conditions, exclusions, or limitations of the policies issued, which differ according to your state of residence. You’re encouraged to discuss your specific circumstances with your own professional advisors. The purpose of this post is merely to provide you with info and insights you can use to make such discussions more productive! Naturally, all comments by, or references to, third parties represent their own views, and Lemonade assumes no responsibility for them. Coverage may not be available in all states. Please note that statements about coverages, policy management, claims processes, Giveback, and customer support apply to policies underwritten by Lemonade Insurance Company or Metromile Insurance Company, a Lemonade company, sold by Lemonade Insurance Agency, LLC. The statements do not apply to policies underwritten by other carriers. Claims data is sourced from internal Lemonade data as of June 2026. *Average monthly cost of homeowners insurance sourced from https://www.valuepenguin.com/best-cheap-homeowners-insurance-washington Sources: 1.https://perkinsnwre.com/blog/how-do-washingtons-home-prices-compare-to-the-national-average 2.https://usafacts.org/answers/what-is-the-homeownership-rate/state/washington-state/
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