U.S. counties most prone to flooding saw 384,000 more people move into them than out of them over the past two years, a 103% increase during that time. Similar trends are being observed in areas prone to wildfires and excessive heat as home prices have remained generally elevated well after the pandemic-driven homebuying boom.
This is according to data from Redfin, which conducted an analysis of migration patterns sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau cross-referenced with climate risk scores from the First Street Foundation, a research-oriented nonprofit that aims to define the risks of climate change in the U.S.
A combination of an explosion in remote work combined with record-low interest rates during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic has caused people to search for more affordable housing, fewer taxes and warmer weather. This pushed migration into states like Florida, Texas and Arizona, despite the fact that these states carry higher levels of risk from extreme heat, wildfires, drought and storms.
“It’s human nature to focus on current benefits, like waterfront views or a low cost of living, over costs that could rack up in the long run, like property damage or a decrease in property value,” said Redfin Deputy Chief Economist Daryl Fairweather. “It’s also human nature to discount risks that are tough to measure, like climate change.”
While the U.S. continues to reckon with issues related to housing supply, disaster-prone areas generally have a higher pool of available homes, leading to reduced prices. But a lot of building activity is also concentrated in areas associated with higher climate-related risks.
“America is increasingly building housing in places endangered by climate change; more than half (55%) of homes built so far this decade face fire risk, while 45% face drought risk, a separate Redfin analysis found,” the data explained. “By comparison, just 14% of homes built from 1900 to 1959 face fire risk and 37% face drought risk. New homes are also more likely than older homes to face heat and flood risk.”
Homeowners and renters may not have felt the full impact of climate-related disasters since, oftentimes, they do not end up directly paying for renovations or repairs necessitated by an adverse climate event, Fairweather said.
“Insurers and government programs frequently subsidize the cost of rebuilding after storms hit, and mortgages mean homeowners are ceding some risk to lenders—especially if their house goes into foreclosure after a storm,” he explained. “But with natural disasters intensifying and insurers pulling out of disaster-prone areas including Florida and California, Americans may start feeling a greater sense of urgency to mitigate climate dangers—especially if their home’s value is at risk of declining.”
Which, for many Americans surveyed by Redfin, is a concern. According to a survey of roughly 2,000 U.S. residents commissioned by Redfin and conducted by Qualtrics in May and June 2023, nearly half (48.7%) of respondents who moved within the last year believe that an increasing frequency or intensity of climate events like natural disasters, excessive temperatures and/or rising sea levels will “likely impact home values in their area in the next 10 years,” the data said.
Among the top migration destinations most impacted by climate risk, coastal Florida has seen nearly 60,000 more people move in than move out over the past two years. This includes to areas like Lee County, which includes Fort Myers and Cape Coral. The area was most recently ravaged by Hurricane Ian in September.
Meanwhile, inland California, Utah and Arizona have seen their populations swell as the risk of wildfires has only grown, Redfin found.
Recently, prominent insurance companies have exited some of these areas. Farmers Insurance announced earlier this month that it will cease providing coverage in Florida, while State Farm and Allstate are pulling back on types of coverage in California. All the exiting companies have cited climate risk in explaining these decisions.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Wisconsin is $1,125 per year, or about $94 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s less than the national average of $1,820 per year.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.
We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
The best homeowners insurance in Wisconsin
If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
More about the best home insurance companies in Wisconsin
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.
Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
As America’s largest insurer, State Farm stands out for its long list of coverage options. Its policies generally include extra dwelling coverage in case it costs more than expected to rebuild your home after a covered disaster. You may also be able to add coverage for things like identity theft, damage from backed-up drains and personal injury liability.
State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.
Coverage options
About average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.
Coverage options
About average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Chubb caters to high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.
Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.
American Family
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
American Family
Comprehensive coverage for homeowners in 19 states, mostly in the West and Midwest.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Founded in Madison, Wisconsin, American Family receives fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size. You may be able to customize your policy with optional add-ons such as identity theft, equipment breakdown or service line coverage, which pays for repairs to water, power or other underground lines that run to your house.
Homeowners may be able to save on their premiums by installing smart-home devices, bundling multiple policies or setting up automatic payments.
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.
Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.
USAA
Offers perks for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA
Offers perks for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
Homeowners in Wisconsin can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Wisconsin?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Wisconsin is $1,125. That’s 38% less than the national average of $1,820.
In most U.S. states, including Wisconsin, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In Wisconsin, those with poor credit pay an average of $2,680 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 138% more than those with good credit.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Wisconsin by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Wisconsin depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Milwaukee is $1,165 per year, while homeowners in Madison pay $1,055 per year, on average.
Average annual rate
Average monthly rate
Brookfield
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac
Janesville
Menomonee Falls
New Berlin
Oconomowoc
Stevens Point
Sun Prairie
The cheapest home insurance in Wisconsin
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Wisconsin average of $1,125.
What to know about Wisconsin homeowners insurance
You’ll want to consider the risks of severe weather events, such as seasonal storms and flooding, while shopping for homeowners insurance in Wisconsin.
Flooding
Wisconsin’s beautiful rivers and lakes can pose a significant risk to homeowners, especially when spring thaw or heavy rainfall brings flooding. Floodwaters can cause extensive damage to your home, and standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance to protect their property from water damage.
To find out if you’re at risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind. Over 20% of flood claims come from areas outside of designated high-risk flood zones.
Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage at any time, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.
Winter storms
Wisconsin experiences harsh winter weather, including heavy snowfall, ice storms and freezing temperatures. These conditions can lead to ice dams, roof collapses and frozen pipes, causing significant damage to homes.
A standard homeowners insurance policy typically covers winter storm-related damages. You can still take some measures to prevent damage, like using a rake to clear snow off the first few feet of your roof and keeping exterior vents clear of snow.
There is nuance to what types of damage are covered, so it’s important to review your policy carefully. For example, seepage behind your drywall caused by a melting ice dam may be covered, but you may need a separate flood insurance policy to cover seepage through your foundation.
Tornadoes
Although tornadoes are not as common in Wisconsin as in other states, the Badger State still averages 23 tornadoes each year. While they vary in strength, tornadoes can severely damage homes, including roofs, windows and the overall structure.
A standard homeowners insurance policy often includes wind damage, including any caused by tornadoes. Read your policy closely, though, as you may have a separate wind deductible. These can be a flat rate, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for wind claims. If your policy has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.
Hailstorms
Wisconsin is susceptible to hailstorms, particularly during the spring and summer months. These storms can bring strong winds, lightning, and large hail.
Hail damage is typically included in your standard home insurance policy, but read your policy closely, as it may come with a separate deductible similar to those for wind damage.
Wisconsin insurance department
The Wisconsin Office of the Commissioner of Insurance oversees the insurance industry and serves as a resource for consumers. You can get answers to general questions about insurance through the website or by phone at 800-236-8517. If you need to file a complaint against your insurer, you can do so using an online form or by mail.
Looking for more insurance in Wisconsin?
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Wisconsin?
Homeowners insurance is not legally required by Wisconsin state law. However, your lender may require you to purchase home insurance.
Does Wisconsin home insurance cover flooding?
Standard homeowners insurance policies in Wisconsin do not cover flooding. If you live in a flood plain or an area at risk for floods, you should consider buying separate flood insurance.
How can I save money on homeowners insurance in Wisconsin?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Wisconsin:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
Wild weather and rampant litigation continue to batter the Florida homeowners insurance market.
Farmers Insurance is discontinuing automobile, home and umbrella policies for Sunshine State residents, while AAA is sunsetting policies for a “very small” percentage of high-risk policies. The companies in separate statements said they’re making the moves to manage risk to meet the cost of major hurricanes and excessive lawsuits slamming the industry.
The actions follow exits by major insurers Allstate and State Farm in California. Those companies blamed exposure to catastrophes and increased construction costs alongside inflation. Lenders have said the exits won’t be the deciding factor in a purchase, but rather will deepen unaffordability.
The Florida insurers aren’t completely exiting the market. Farmers said its decision wouldn’t impact the 70% of policies in force for customers of its Bristol West, Foremost Choice, Foremost Signature and Farmers GroupSelect companies. AAA in a statement emphasized that it’s not leaving the state, but didn’t disclose the amount of policyholders its recent decision would impact.
The companies each count over 200,000 homeowners policies in Florida, according to data from S&P Global, although exact counts are uncertain. Neither firm is in the top-10 homeowners insurance underwriters in the state, according to a ranking by the Insurance Information Institute, an industry association.
Florida has the highest average property premiums in the country, with the pain coming from factors beyond bad weather. A massive amount of roofing scams, experts say, combined with favorable attorney fees, led to an onslaught of lawsuits against Sunshine State insurers. Over 250,000 lawsuits were filed just this past March against the state’s homeowners insurers, the III said, while seven companies have gone insolvent since 2022.
Florida Gov. RonDeSantis in the past year has signed three bills aimed at easing the industry crisis, although AAA in its statement said the changes would take some time to fully materialize.
The state’s metros also have some of the nation’s fastest-growing home prices, piling on top of insurance rates regularly in the thousands of dollars. The state’s Office of Insurance Regulation provides a rate comparison tool, and a search for insurance on a new construction in Miami-Dade County worth around $300,000 shows 22 insurers offering coverage between $3,960 and $16,435.
Adding to the pain is National Flood Insurance Program premiums, which critics say is unfairly hiking premiums for homeowners who are required by law to purchase the protection. Attorneys general for 10 states including Florida are suing to stop regulators’ new formula for the NFIP’s new premiums, and the lawsuit remains pending.
When State Farm, California’s top home insurer, said it would no longer write new policies in the state in late May, homeowners began flocking to Farmers Insurance, the second-largest company in the field.
Now Farmers Insurance is signaling that it has no plans to fill the gap in the market. After seeing a surge in demand last month, Farmers said it has capped the number of new policies it will write in the state each month.
The Los Angeles-based insurer said that it was limiting new policies in California “to a level consistent with the volume we projected to write each month before recent market changes,” effective July 3, and is continuing to renew its existing policies.
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In other words, Farmers is pursuing business as usual — but in an insurance market that has gotten more than a little unusual in the last few months.
State Farm announced at the end of May that it was hitting pause on writing new homeowners policies in the state, while also committing to renewing its existing policies. Allstate, sixth in the rankings, hit pause late last year.
Business as usual for Farmers means adding about 7,000 new homeowners policies a month, said California Department of Insurance spokesperson Michael Soller. “We do not expect their footprint in the state to change significantly one way or another,” he said in a statement.
In 2022, Farmers policies made up a little under 15% of the $12-billion California market for homeowners insurance. State Farm, which had been on a five-year sprint to expand its market share in California before hitting pause, has more than 21% of the market.
Farmers said that “record-breaking inflation, severe weather events and reconstruction costs continuing to climb” were behind its decision, in a statement from spokesperson Luis Sahagun.
Rising construction and labor costs mean that repairing or rebuilding homes has become more expensive for insurers, and California’s recent periods of flood and fire have led to some years of major losses for home insurers.
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Farmers’ decision not to pick up the slack left by State Farm and Allstate is also driven by a basic insurance concept: Don’t insure every house on the block. Companies like to spread their risk across as wide an area as possible, so that if disaster strikes in one place, they aren’t left on the hook for too much of the damage on their own.
Although Farmers mentioned only inflation and severe weather, State Farm was more explicit when it announced its move, adding fire risk and the volatile reinsurance market — which has driven up costs for insurers to insure themselves in case of disasters — to its list of reasons to stop growing in the California market.
Insurance industry advocates have said that California’s insurance department, headed by Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara, has been too slow to approve necessary rate increases to keep pace with inflation and growing risk. The industry would also like to pass along reinsurance costs and use forward-looking fire risk models to set premium prices.
The insurance department, in turn, has encouraged companies to ask for all the rate increases they need at once, rather than parceling out requests over time. The department is also hosting a workshop later this week to discuss the forward-looking wildfire models that insurance companies would like to use when setting rates.
As you’re shopping for car insurance quotes, you’ll notice that most providers will offer you roadside assistance.
It’s a simple question that’s hard to answer because what they’re really asking is:
Hey, do you think you’ll find yourself stranded a lot this year?
Roadside assistance is a tricky form of insurance that may be absolutely worth it for some and passable for others. To help you decide which camp you fall into, let’s investigate roadside assistance.
What’s Ahead:
What is roadside assistance?
As the name implies, roadside assistance is an optional program that lets you call a 911-like hotline for your stranded car. Here’s how it works:
You purchase a year of roadside assistance (typically between $70 and $150).
You receive a Member ID and a hotline phone number.
When your car is immobilized for some reason (breakdown, locked out), you call the number on the card, give your Member ID, and describe your issue.
Dispatch sends the nearest participating mobile mechanic to your location within the hour (sometimes).
You’re back on the road, and your roadside assistance provider comps the mechanic.
Breakdowns, getting stuck in mud or snow, running out of fuel, and simply locking yourself out are all common reasons why you might call for roadside assistance. If the mobile mechanic can’t fix your issue onsite, they’ll tow it to the nearest participating service station.
While roadside assistance is designed to get you back on the road, not every service is included. I’ll go into more detail below, but I wanted to set that expectation early on; folks are often surprised when they call for roadside assistance and still receive a bill later on.
To avoid such unpleasant surprises, let’s cover in detail what roadside assistance does and doesn’t cover.
What does roadside assistance include?
Again, roadside assistance will perform pretty much any necessary service to get your car back on the road, whether onsite or at a local garage. However, not all of it is free.
Here’s a list of services that are typically included in a roadside assistance program at no extra charge:
Tire changes. Hey, no shame in calling for a tire change if you’re stuck on the side of the road; especially if your car is at an unsafe angle to the road. Note that the mobile mechanic will typically use your spare tire, which you should never drive on longer than 50 miles.
Battery jump-start.Car batteries typically die within two and a half months of a car not being driven. Luckily, most roadside assistance programs cover jump starts for free.
Fuel delivery.If you’re like my dad and think that the Low Fuel Light “really means there’s plenty left,” you’ve probably run out of gas at some point. Thankfully, roadside assistance will deliver enough fuel to get to the next gas station at no charge (you just have to cover the cost of the fuel).
Lockout services.Lock yourself out? Roadside assistance will dispatch a locksmith to get you right back into your car in no time. Don’t be distressed if they bend your window back in lieu of picking the lock Mission Impossible-style – auto glass is surprisingly flexible, so that’s just the easiest way to do it.
Extrication and towing (up to a few miles).Roadside assistance programs typically include free extrication (i.e. wenching you out of a ditch) and limited towing, often three to five miles per call. Sometimes your annual membership will include a pool of towing miles, like 25 for the year. Anything beyond that and you foot the bill.
That covers the services that are included in your roadside assistance program. Now, let’s talk about some that aren’t.
What does roadside assistance not include?
Sadly, roadside assistance isn’t “get your car up and running again at any cost” insurance. It’s really just a subscription to a dispatch service that won’t charge you for the quick and easy stuff, like tire changes or fuel delivery.
Roadside assistance will always show up, but you’ll have to pay extra if they need to perform services like these:
Tire repair. If you don’t have a spare tire in the trunk, roadside assistance will have to repair or change out your existing tire – both of which usually involve towing it to a tire shop.
Roadside diagnosis.If you have a Check Engine Light (CEL), your roadside assistance will have to use an OBD-II Scanner to read and translate your engine error codes. Most mechanics charge at least $50 for OBD-II scans, which is why I recommend all drivers buy their own scanner for $50 or less.
Dents, dings, and scratches. Did you know that you can fix a dent in your car in about 15 seconds using only hot water and a plunger? I wish roadside assistance programs would capitalize on this for some easy brownie points with customers, but sadly, none that I know of do any sort of aesthetic repair.
Long-distance towing.It’s worth mentioning again that most roadside assistance programs only include a few miles of towing, either per call or per year. Plus, there may be a rule stating that they can only tow you to a shop approved by your roadside assistance program, which may be on the other side of town.
Any necessary repairs.Typically, by the time your car reaches the shop for repairs, you’re totally on your own for the cost of repairs. AAA and State Farm are the exception to this rule: AAA will cover 10% of the final bill and State Farm will cover the first hour of labor – that’s around $100 if you drive a Toyota and $200 if you’re in a Porsche.
Should you buy roadside assistance from your auto insurance provider, AAA, or someone else?
Most people think “AAA” when they hear “roadside assistance” and for good reason. The American Automobile Association has been around since 1902, six years before the Ford Model T even began production.
With over a century of experience protecting American motorists, AAA is hard to beat. That said, others are certainly trying; in recent years, most of the major auto insurance providers have stepped in to chip away at AAA’s market dominance.
So what does one have to offer over the other?
Roadside assistance from AAA
AAA is the Toyota Camry of roadside assistance: affordable, dependable, and well-equipped. The AAA Basic Membership costs around $60 – $100 annually depending on your region, and includes the following roadside benefits.
Four free service calls per member per year.
Three to five free towing miles per call (depends on your region).
Free fuel delivery.
Free extrication.
Up to $50 per year in locksmithing services.
Now, you might be thinking that’s not a whole lot of coverage. Honestly, I agree with you; $50 of locksmithing services can dry up in a single call, and three miles of towing isn’t particularly far, especially if you live in a rural area. These are certainly the two weakest points in AAA’s armor, and the ones competitors are targeting.
However, AAA still has the competition walloped in two key areas:
Perks and benefits. 119 years of networking has certainly paid off; AAA offers huge discounts with a bevy of retailers, many of whom aren’t even auto-related. Included in your AAA membership is up to 30% off at Samsung, The UPS Store, HP, rental car agencies, and more. You’ll also get 10% off at Dell, which if you’re buying a $1,500 laptop, pays for two years of AAA itself.
Free Associate Membership.Included in your AAA membership is one free Associate Membership for a member of your household. Associate AAA members enjoy the same benefits as you either for free or at a steeply discounted rate, so it’s like a roadside BOGO.
Like a Camry, AAA membership is popular for a reason – but that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily the best option for you. It’s entirely possible that your provider has them beat.
Roadside assistance from your auto insurance provider
Don’t assume that the roadside assistance program your provider offers will directly mimic AAA’s like a generic brand cereal. Providers can’t possibly match AAA’s affiliate perks and benefits, so they compete on roadside coverage instead.
Even still, most providers can’t offer increased coverage across the board – they generally offer a little more here and a little less there.
For example, Allstate can’t offer 30% off a new fridge at Samsung.com, but they do include $1,500 in complimentary Trip Interruption coverage with their roadside assistance program. That means if you miss your expensive trip due to illness or tragedy, your Allstate roadside assistance coverage will comp you up to $1,500, even if driving wasn’t involved.
Allstate also includes $100 in Roadside Hazard coverage, which helps to cover the cost of a tire repair (~$15) or a new tire ($80 – $200) after you hit a road hazard. If you live in a pothole moonscape like LA or Boston, free tire replacement could be a seriously useful perk.
Allstate’s roadside assistance program isn’t a holistic upgrade from AAA’s, however – you lose those affiliate discounts, the associate membership, and you’re only given three calls per year compared to AAA’s four.
The subtle differences between Allstate and AAA’s coverage serve to highlight why you should read the terms of your own provider’s roadside assistance program extremely carefully. Providers tend to bury the areas where they can’t beat AAA, so bring a magnifying glass.
Are there any alternatives?
AAA and your provider aren’t the only two players vying for roadside dominance.
Better World Club is a direct response to AAA and they’re certainly not shy about why they’re trying to topple the industry stalwart. In stark contrast to AAA, they say, BWC is 100% carbon-neutral, supports environmental causes, and advocates for sustainable transportation.
Although they price-match AAA on membership and coverage, they’re short on perks, discounts, and that extra associate membership. Still, if you’d prefer roadside assistance from a more eco-conscious, forward-thinking company than AAA, consider Better World Club.
Is paying for roadside assistance worth it?
Whether or not roadside assistance is worth it depends on a few factors. To keep things simple, I’ll break it down into two categories:
You might consider paying for roadside assistance if:
If you meet one or more of the following criteria, it might be worth ponying up for roadside assistance.
You find yourself stranded at least once a year. Emergency roadside assistance calls typically cost $99 a pop, so if you sense that you might be stranded at some point in the next year, a membership could pay for itself very quickly.
You drive in a city with inclement weather.AAA membership is typically more expensive in cities up north and for good reason; the likelihood that you’ll need to be winched out of a snowbank is much higher above the Mason-Dixon Line. Plus, getting stranded in cold weather can be life-threatening, so roadside assistance is practically a no-brainer.
Your car is prone to breakdowns.Is your car old? Unreliable? Behind on maintenance? Roadside assistance providers don’t charge extra for cars that are more likely to break down, so if you don’t always trust your ride to start up, it’s probably worth the extra insurance.
You drive more than 20,000 miles a year.Simply put, the more miles you drive, the higher the likelihood you’ll need roadside assistance at some point.
You want peace of mind.Even when they don’t use it, folks seldom regret having roadside assistance coverage. For the average motorist, just having a AAA card in their glove compartment can be a huge stress-reliever.
If you identified with one or more of the above qualifiers, it’s probably worth the $100 or so for roadside assistance coverage. That said, you might still be fine without it.
You can probably pass on roadside assistance if:
If you really want to save the $100, you can probably safely pass on roadside assistance if:
You drive a reliable car. If you drive a historically reliable car that’s unlikely to leave you stranded due to a mechanical issue, that’s one less reason to buy roadside assistance.
You rarely drive in inclement weather. Similarly, if Mother Nature is unlikely to leave you stranded on your usual commute, you’re way less likely to need an emergency extrication.
You rarely drive at all.If you barely drive your car, you’re significantly less likely to get stranded and thus probably don’t need roadside assistance. If you’re worried about your battery dying, don’t pay $100 for roadside – just spend $30 on a battery maintainer that charges your car from a standard wall socket.
Summary
Roadside assistance can lend convenience, peace of mind, even safety to your daily driving experience. $100 or less isn’t much to pay for free towing, jump starts, and lockouts, and the extra bonuses like trip insurance and hazard protection often make it totally worth it.
Even still, if you don’t foresee yourself being stranded anytime soon, you’re probably OK without it. Invest $80 or so bucks in an OBD-II scanner and battery maintainer and you’ll be much more self-sufficient at staying on the road.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington is $1,215 per year, or about $101 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s less than the national average of $1,820 per year.
We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Washington. Our sample rates are for a homeowner with good credit and $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your rates will be different.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.
We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
The best homeowners insurance in Washington
If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
More about the best home insurance companies in Washington
See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Farm is a great choice for homeowners who like to work directly with a company representative, as the company sells policies through a wide network of agents. And its attention to customer service has paid off; the company has fewer customer complaints to state regulators than expected for a company of its size.
State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.
Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.
Coverage options
About average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Chubb
Perks and high coverage limits for affluent homeowners.
Coverage options
About average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Chubb caters to high-value homes and draws far fewer consumer complaints than expected for a company of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Its home insurance policies come with some great perks, including extended replacement cost in case it costs more than your dwelling limit to rebuild your home after a disaster.
Chubb policyholders may also be able to take advantage of the company’s HomeScan service, which uses infrared cameras to look for problems behind the walls of your home.
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.
Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.
Country Financial
Best for those who prefer to have a personal conversation with an agent when choosing coverage.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Country Financial
Best for those who prefer to have a personal conversation with an agent when choosing coverage.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
Country Financial has three different levels of homeowners coverage to help you choose the package that’s best for you. You also have the option to add extra coverage for the structure of your home, in case inflation drives up the cost of rebuilding more than you expect.
Country Financial sells homeowners insurance through local representatives. The company has drawn far fewer complaints than expected to state regulators.
USAA
Offers perks for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA
Offers perks for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
Homeowners in Washington can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart-home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Washington?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Washington is $1,215. That’s 33% less than the national average of $1,820.
In most U.S. states, including Washington, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In Washington, those with poor credit pay an average of $1,390 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s 14% more than those with good credit.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Washington by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Washington depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Seattle is $1,165 per year, while homeowners in Yakima pay $1,305 per year, on average.
Average annual rate
Average monthly rate
Bellingham
Federal Way
Marysville
Port Orchard
The cheapest home insurance in Washington
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Washington average of $1,215.
What to know about Washington homeowners insurance
Washington homeowners have a few risks to consider when shopping for home insurance, including earthquakes, wildfires, flooding and winter weather.
Earthquakes and landslides
Washington state is particularly prone to earthquakes as part of the Pacific Ring of Fire. Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t cover earthquakes or other earth movements like landslides or mudslides, so you may want to look into separate earthquake insurance or an earthquake endorsement.
When purchasing earthquake insurance, pay attention to the deductibles so you know the potential out-of-pocket costs. Your earthquake insurance often has a separate deductible, which can be around 10% to 25% of the coverage on your policy. For example, if you have a 20% deductible on $200,000 of coverage, you would need to pay a $40,000 deductible for earthquake damage before your insurance kicks in.
Wildfires
Wildfires are a potential risk in Washington state, especially in dry seasons. Your homeowners insurance will typically cover damage from fires. Always review your policy for exceptions and to ensure you have enough coverage in case of a total loss related to wildfire.
Pay particular attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. A significant fire can destroy your whole home, so talk with your insurer to make sure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.
Flooding
Washingtonians who live near rivers, lakes or coastal areas may be at risk of flooding. Standard homeowners insurance policies typically do not cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance to protect their property from water damage.
To find out if you’re at risk, check out the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s flood maps or visit RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation. Even if your property is deemed low risk, it may be worthwhile to purchase flood insurance for extra peace of mind.
Keep in mind that while you can purchase flood coverage anytime, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.
Winter weather
Heavy snowfall, winter storms, and freezing temperatures can cause damage from fallen trees, the weight of ice or snow, or burst pipes, among others. Your standard homeowners policy will cover most damage from winter weather, but carefully review the coverage in your policy, as there may be exclusions.
Be sure to take appropriate precautions to limit the risk of damage, as damage due to negligence may not be covered. For example, homeowners should keep their home temperature above 60 degrees and ensure water sources are drained or insulated to avoid the risk of flooding due to burst pipes.
Washington insurance department
The Consumer Advocacy group can also help with your other insurance-related questions by live chat from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Monday through Friday, by email or by phone at 800-562-6900.
Looking for more insurance in Washington?
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Washington?
Homeowners insurance is not legally required in Washington state, but your mortgage lender may require you to buy it.
Does Washington homeowners insurance cover wildfire?
Homeowners insurance in Washington covers fires from most causes, including wildfires.
How can I save money on home insurance in Washington?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Washington:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
The average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas is $3,020 per year, or about $252 per month, according to a NerdWallet analysis. That’s more than the national average of $1,820 per year.
We’ve analyzed rates and companies across the state to find the best homeowners insurance in Arkansas. Our sample rates are for a homeowner with good credit and $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible. Your rates will be different.
Note: Some insurance companies included in this article may have made changes in their underwriting practices and no longer issue new policies in your state.
Why you can trust NerdWallet
Our writers and editors follow strict editorial guidelines to ensure fairness and accuracy in our writing and data analyses. You can trust the prices we show you because our data analysts take rigorous measures to eliminate inaccuracies in pricing data and may update rates for accuracy as new information becomes available.
We include rates from every locale in the country where coverage is offered and data is available. When comparing rates for different coverage amounts and backgrounds, we change only one variable at a time, so you can easily see how each factor affects pricing.
Our sample homeowner had good credit, $300,000 of dwelling coverage, $300,000 of liability coverage and a $1,000 deductible.
The best homeowners insurance in Arkansas
If you’re looking to buy homeowners insurance from a well-rated national brand, consider one of these insurers from NerdWallet’s list of the Best Homeowners Insurance Companies.
More about the best home insurance companies in Arkansas
See more details about each company to help you decide which one is best for you.
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
State Farm
Well-established insurer with a lengthy list of coverage options.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
America’s largest home insurer celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022. One useful endorsement you may be able to add to a State Farm policy is an inflation guard rider, which automatically increases your policy limits to make sure your coverage doesn’t fall short.
State Farm offers a free Ting device as a perk for home insurance policyholders. Ting is a smart plug that monitors your home’s electrical network to help prevent fires.
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Farmers
Those seeking benefits like diminishing deductibles and claims forgiveness may want to consider Farmers.
Coverage options
More than average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Fewer than expected
Homeowners policies from Farmers may include two valuable types of insurance: extended dwelling and replacement cost coverage. Extended dwelling coverage gives you extra insurance for the structure of your house, while replacement cost coverage offers higher reimbursement for stolen or destroyed belongings.
Some Farmers policies also come with perks that can save you money. For example, with claim forgiveness, Farmers won’t raise your rate for a claim as long as you haven’t filed one within the past five years.
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
Nationwide
For shoppers seeking a broad range of coverage options, Nationwide may fit the bill.
Coverage options
More than average
Great set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Close to expected
We like Nationwide for its wide variety of coverage options. For example, its standard homeowners insurance policy generally includes ordinance or law coverage, which can help pay to bring your home up to current building codes after a covered claim. You can add other coverage for things like identity theft and damage from backed-up sewers and drains.
Depending on how much personal assistance you need, you can get a quote for homeowners insurance on the Nationwide website or work with a local agent instead. You can also use the website to pay bills, file claims or check claim status.
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA
Offers perks and affordable rates for the military community.
Coverage options
Below average
Average set of discounts
NAIC complaints
Far fewer than expected
USAA sells homeowners insurance to veterans, active military and their families. If you fall into one of those groups, you might want to look into USAA’s offerings. The company’s homeowners policies include some unique perks such as deductible-free coverage for military uniforms and coverage for identity theft.
Homeowners in Arkansas can take part in the company’s Connected Home program, which gives you a discount on your policy if you buy and install approved smart home devices. These include water leak sensors, cameras and thermostats.
How much does homeowners insurance cost in Arkansas?
The average annual cost of home insurance in Arkansas is $3,020. That’s 66% more than the national average of $1,820.
In most U.S. states, including Arkansas, many insurers use your credit-based insurance score to help set rates. Your insurance score is similar but not identical to your traditional credit score.
In Arkansas, those with poor credit pay an average of $6,850 per year for homeowners insurance, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis. That’s more than double what those with good credit pay.
Average cost of homeowners insurance in Arkansas by city
How much you pay for homeowners insurance in Arkansas depends on where you live. For instance, the average cost of home insurance in Little Rock is $2,740 per year, while homeowners in Fayetteville pay $2,590 per year, on average.
Average annual rate
Average monthly rate
Bentonville
Fayetteville
Fort Smith
Hot Springs National Park
Jacksonville
Little Rock
North Little Rock
Pine Bluff
Russellville
Springdale
The cheapest home insurance in Arkansas
Here are the insurers we found with average annual rates below the Arkansas average of $3,020.
What to know about Arkansas homeowners insurance
From big natural disasters like tornadoes and wildfires to more common, storm-related risks like flooding and hail, here’s what Arkansans should be looking for when shopping for home insurance.
Tornadoes
Arkansas is becoming a part of Tornado Alley, the geographic stretch with the highest frequencies of tornadoes in the U.S. Tornadoes and wind storms can damage homes and roofs, sometimes even destroying them.
Wind damage, including any caused by tornadoes, is often included in a standard homeowners insurance policy. Read your policy closely, though, as you may have a separate wind deductible. These are often a flat rate, such as $1,000, or a percentage of your dwelling coverage. For example, your policy may have a $1,000 deductible for most claims and a 1% deductible for wind claims. So if your house has $250,000 worth of dwelling coverage, you’d have to pay for the first $2,500 of wind damage yourself.
Flooding
Heavy rainfall or rapid snowmelt can overflow rivers, streams, or lakes throughout Arkansas. RiskFactor.com, a website from the nonprofit First Street Foundation, estimates that over 200,000 properties have an above 26% chance of being severely impacted by flooding in the next 30 years.
Standard homeowners insurance policies typically don’t cover flood damage. As a result, homeowners in flood-prone areas may need to purchase separate flood insurance to protect their property from water damage.
Remember that while you can purchase flood coverage anytime, there’s typically a 30-day waiting period before the insurance takes effect. Here’s more information about flood insurance and waiting periods.
Hail
Hailstorms are frequent in Arkansas throughout the spring and summer storm seasons. Homeowners may have to deal with hail damage to roofs, windows and siding, leading to costly repairs or replacements.
Hail damage is typically included in your standard home insurance policy, but make sure to read your policy closely, as it may come with a separate deductible.
Wildfires
While not a common risk in Arkansas, wildfires can still be a danger for homeowners, particularly in dry and wooded areas. Homes can be destroyed or damaged by flames, smoke and heat. Luckily, standard home insurance policies cover damage from wildfires.
Pay particular attention to your dwelling coverage limit. This is the amount the insurance company will pay to rebuild your house. A significant fire can destroy your whole home, so talk with your insurer to ensure you have enough coverage to rebuild if necessary.
Earthquakes
While generally uncommon in Arkansas, earthquakes are still a risk factor for homeowners to consider when shopping for insurance. As part of the New Madrid Seismic Zone, minor earthquakes are not infrequent. These quakes can cause substantial damage to structures and personal belongings.
Standard homeowners insurance policies don’t typically cover structural damage due to an earthquake. Review your policy carefully, and if you live in an area with higher risk, consider purchasing additional earthquake insurance.
When purchasing earthquake insurance, pay attention to the deductibles, so you know the potential out-of-pocket costs. Your earthquake insurance often has a separate deductible, which can be around 5% to 25% of the coverage on your policy. For example, if you have a 20% deductible on $200,000 of coverage, you would need to pay a $40,000 deductible for earthquake damage before your insurance kicks in.
Arkansas insurance department
The Arkansas Insurance Department regulates the state’s insurance industry and provides helpful information, as well as consumer protection. If you need to file a complaint against your insurance company, you can do so using the online Consumer Complaint Form.
If you have questions about filing a complaint or about insurance protections the Arkansas Insurance Department can offer, contact the Consumer Services division at 800-852-5494 or by email at [email protected]
Amanda Shapland contributed to this story.
Frequently asked questions
Is homeowners insurance required in Arkansas?
Homeowners insurance is not legally required in Arkansas, but your mortgage lender may require you to buy it.
Does Arkansas home insurance cover flooding?
Standard home insurance policies in Arkansas do not cover flooding. If you live in a high-risk area or are concerned about the possibility of flood damage, you will want to buy separate flood insurance.
How can I save money on home insurance in Arkansas?
There are several ways to save money on homeowners insurance in Arkansas:
Shop around to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
Choose a higher deductible. In case of any claims, you’ll pay more out of pocket, but your premiums will be lower.
With mortgage rates currently at 7.04%, many first-time homebuyers – typically millennials – will be forced to continue to rent.
But the U.S. housing market is not a monolith, so today we’re going to look at some markets where affordability is within the normal renter’s reach.
In a study published this week, First American economist Ksenia Potapov analyzed the share of homes that are affordable to the median renter in any given market. She defined an affordable market as one in which the median renter can afford 50% or more of the homes for sale based on the renter’s household income, the prevailing 30-year mortgage rate, and the assumption that one-third of pre-tax income is used for a mortgage with a 5% down payment.
Here’s what she found:
There are only four markets in the U.S. in which the median renter in that market could afford half or more of the homes – Buffalo (59%), Pittsburgh (56%), Detroit (54%) and Cleveland (54%).
Meanwhile, the least affordable markets were Los Angeles (1%), San Diego (2%), San Francisco (2%), Salt Lake City (4%), and San Jose, Calif. (4%). The California cities are stalwarts on lists such as these, but Salt Lake City — which attracted tech workers during the pandemic — is a new entrant.
“Pre-pandemic, Salt Lake City was an affordable market that fell in the middle of the pack out of the top 50 U.S. markets,” Potapov wrote. “However, rapid house price appreciation during the pandemic dragged Salt Lake City near the bottom of the affordability list. In the fourth quarter of 2019, the median renter could afford 69% of the homes for sale in Salt Lake City. Now, the median renter can only afford 4% of homes.”
According to data from Altos Research, the median home price listed in Salt Lake City last week climbed to $785,000, up from about $540,000 in the fourth quarter of 2019.
Jake from State Farm to California: Drop dead!
California markets like the ones listed above already face a number of challenges, but news over the weekend could make it even more challenging for buyers. Last week we talked about the cost of flood insurance going up by over 200% for some homeowners in the Southeast as both the federal government and private insurers determine how to price the soaring cost of climate risk, or abandon insuring them altogether.
Well, State Farm last week announced that it would halt home insurance sales in California. State Farm is the nation’s largest car and home insurer by premium volume. The insurance giant said it “made this decision due to historic increases in construction costs outpacing inflation, rapidly growing catastrophe exposure, and a challenging reinsurance market.” Existing home-insurance policyholders won’t be affected, though this is clearly not a positive development for the state.
You might remember that a year ago, AIG notified 9,000 wealthy clients that it wouldn’t renew home insurance policies in California. The change was part of a plan by AIG to stop selling home policies in California through a unit regulated by the state’s insurance department. Policyholders were instead directed to another unit, where policies could cost three-to-five times higher than what clients paid under the old plan, with less-generous coverage to boot.
California has experienced record wildfires in the past six years. The state experienced eight of the largest fires in U.S. history and three of the top five deadliest fires.
I am not sure if we should even get into the reconstruction costs in California, which are so high they are almost beyond belief.
What does this all mean for Californians? For starters, I expect that other insurance companies are going to follow suit and availability is going to be a serious problem for homeowners and prove a problem for buyers and sellers alike. As is true in Florida, California has an insurer of last resort — FAIR Plan — for wildfires, but homeowners will still need significant wrap-around coverage. The premiums are quite high under FAIR, too and they cover the dwelling at actual cash value versus replacement cost value.
Cali LOs and agents: Have you had any deals held up because of home insurance issues? Let me know at [email protected]
In our weeklyDataDigest newsletter, HW Media Managing Editor James Kleimann breaks down the biggest stories in housing through a data lens. Sign up here! Have a subject in mind? Email him at [email protected]
Have you ever heard somebody’s job title and wondered what it is they even do all day? Some jobs just seem useless, either to outside observers, or even to the people hired to work them. Some jobs are crucial to the organization; others are average, and some jobs may be just an accessory or unnecessary. Here are 17 jobs people hesitate to admit they find completely useless. Is your job here? Continue reading and let us know in the comments!
1. Sorting Files
One person shared, “My very first job. I’m a toxicologist and was hired by a very big private laboratory. My main job was to sort and redirect case files depending on the time at which the results came out. THE DOCUMENTS WERE SENT TO ME IN EXCEL. I was getting paid to just click sort by date descendingly.”
Another user replied, “I had to do something similar to this when I was doing summer help at a steel factory. They paid me $14 an hour to sit there for eight hours and just move files to different folders and rename them. Sometimes I would pull weeds and paint walls, but that was about it.”
Sorting Files
Another added, “Working for a big company, one of the top 20 in the world, I am realising how bad people are with basic computer tasks… like really bad!”
2. Teachers who Don’t Teach
“My math teacher who tells me to log in to Pearson and then disappears,” one person stated.
“I dropped a university class this term because the week 3 assignment said to ‘look up how to do this on Google, Stackexchange, or ChatGPT.’ I’m not paying 1400 dollars to be taught by an AI chat bot, [lol],” another one shared.
“As a teacher myself, trust me, these are the kinds of colleagues we can’t stand,” one Redditor added.
3. Management Consultant
One person stated, “Mine. I’m a management consultant and while I have quite a bit of industry knowledge and experience, my clients either have the same knowledge or they aren’t willing to accept change. Often times my firm gets paid a lot of money to make very little difference strategically and/or operationally. Where we do add value is in implementing enterprise-wide software solutions. Why do I stay? The money is pretty good given the futility.”
“I heard from an acquaintance of mine who is a management consultant that most of the time people just want to hear their ideas out of someone else’s mouth and will pay you to do it so that their peers will be more amenable to the idea,” another user replied.
One commenter added, “Nothing like a bunch of 20 somethings telling a bunch of C-Suit executives how to run a business.”
4. Pet Psychic
One user said, “Our Golden Retriever was getting joint therapy (shoulder injury, worked with a vet, dog did swimming three days a week in a heated pool where he could exercise without putting weight on the joint, also did some exercises, is now fine. The place also did laser therapy and acupuncture for dogs.) Someone said something about ‘Hudson’ which is our dog’s name only they were talking to another dog. ‘Oh,’ they said, ‘That’s the dog psychic’s dog.’ Apparently you could find out what your dog was thinking. I know what my dog is thinking. Most of the time he either wants what I’m eating or he wants me to throw the ball.”
Another Redditor replied, “My cousin is a ‘pet psychic.’ She’s got quite the following on IG, a fancy website, and even a podcast. She claims to receive telepathic messages from your furry friends. She can even talk to reptiles and horses now! And she’s not horsing around, apparently each species requires a specific training. I’m not sure if she’s delusional or just scamming people, but either way, she’s making a lot of $$$.”
5. Elevator Attendant
One person shared, “I’m so old I remember when they had these in department stores. Whilst shopping with my grandma one day we got in an elevator and the attendant asked if we wanted the second floor. My grandma replies, ‘Why yes, how did you know?’ He says, ‘Ma’am, there’s only two floors, and we’re currently on the first one.’”
“They’re from an era of manually operated elevators. You used to have to close the doors manually then use a lever to control the elevator and stop it just right at the floor you wanted. It was tricky and very dangerous if you got it wrong, so you had an elevator operator whose job it was to run the elevator,” the second one replied.
6. Telemarketers
“Telemarketers, I don’t know a single person who has actually purchased something from a telemarketer. Maybe it’s something the older generation does but everyone hates them and immediately hangs up on them around me,” one person stated.
“I worked as a telemarketer for State Farm when I got out of high school, and in 8 months I had one person actually let me give her a quote. It was my aunt,” another Redditor replied.
One commenter added, “I remember when I was 12 I told this random telemarketer to get a life because at that point we were getting like 5-10 calls a day. She called me back and cussed me out. To this day, I think it’s so funny.”
7. Sign Spinners
Sign spinners, or sign twirlers, are people who hold a sign and stand on the street to get attention and possibly a customer for the business that hired them.
“The job only exists because the businesses want to put a sign there, but it’s cheaper or the only legal option to hire a person to hold the sign and stand there,” one person shared.
“That was my job for one summer in college. I got to hang out outside and listen to music all day. But I always thought it was weird that they were paying some guy $15/hr to do the job of a stick and a piece of duct tape,” another commenter replied.
One Redditor added, “I had a job like that except I didn’t even have to hold the sign. They said I could just lean it against the front of the store and stand next to it.”
8. Paparazzi
Everybody knows what the paparazzi jobs are doing—stalking people, taking pictures of them, and making money.
“You know why paparazzi make a ton of money and keep doing what they are doing? Because people keep buying their photos to put in magazines that people keep buying. Stop buying the magazines and watching the shows that feature their photos, and the paparazzi will go away. Easy peasy,” one person said.
Another commenter replied, “Scum of the earth.”
One user added, “They’re just filling a demand. I blame and judge those that consume the media they produce.”
9. Bathroom Attendants
One person said, “I don’t need somebody in there pulling paper towels out of the dispenser just to hand it to me and compel me to tip them.” The second one replied, “I never saw this until I was visiting Ireland a few years back, and man, was it annoying. It’s bad enough there’s a guy standing at the sinks watching you have a leak, but then he wants a euro or two for handing you a towel to dry your hands.”
Another commenter said, “They’re essentially bathroom security guards. They prevent people from doing drugs and having sex in the bathroom.”
10. Patent Trolls
One user said, “People that apply for Patents. And then just hold onto them forever with no intent of making the thing. And then when somebody does make the thing, ho-boy, you owe me money because I own the rights to that thing! It’s one of those weird ‘Do nothing and hope to eventually get a big payout’ jobs, like Domain Squatters.”
Another commenter stated, “There should be a law that makes the patent public domain if the owner doesn’t actually use it. It would probably accelerate the progress of humanity by a big factor.”
11. Shop Security
One person said, “Shop security—in most cases, they can’t legally do anything but just watch.”
Another user replied, “Depends on the type of security they invest in. Security guards who stand at the door all day in a uniform—yes you’re right, in most cases, they’re used as a deterrent. However, store detectives go undercover and try to blend in with other customers (in their own clothes, browsing stock and carrying a basket/trolley) so that they go unnoticed. Those people are allowed to tackle shoplifters and actually do something about it.”
One commenter said, “Security is used primarily for insurance and tax reasons. You have to show that your actively trying to prevent and deter theft and accidents.”
12. Car Dealerships
“Just let me buy a car from the factory. Your job is to get me to pay as much as possible. So useless and so annoying,” one person said.
“It’s an ancient law that mandated dealerships so you’d have a guaranteed mechanic to work on it. Obsolete since auto shops are a thing,” another user replied.
“Car salespeople, realtors, stock brokers. They are pure middlemen who produce nothing for society other than putting cash in their own pocket,” another added.
13. Health Insurance Operators
One person said, “While it’s a billion-dollar industry, health insurance. Literally, they exist to prevent you from cashing out on what you paid into. They have little to no medical knowledge, make everything more expensive, and exist solely as a useless middleman to make themselves rich.”
Another person shared, “Exactly. They just refused to cover my medication that they suggested several years ago to replace another medication that they did not want to cover at the time. This time they didn’t even offer a replacement, just refused to cover my meds without any explanation. It’s an absurd world where the insurance company makes decisions on my healthcare instead of my doctor.”
14. Homeopath
“I’ll do you one better, a few weeks I saw an ad for a homeopathic veterinary doctor. I feel bad for the animals unfortunate enough to find themselves as patients,” one person shared.
“Ugh. Literally the only possible benefit homeopathy could have due to the placebo effect. Pets ain’t even benefiting from that,” the second replied.
15. Reiki Healer
One person stated, “I knew a lady, very nice and caring, but off the wall hippie, who would charge people to hold her hand over them and transmit ‘healing energy.’ She also offered long-distance reiki where she promised to send you healing energy from her couch and would even set appointments to do just that.”
Another user added, “The funny thing is anyone can just open a Reiki clinic and call themselves an expert/shaman. If you go to school for it you’re just another victim of the grift.”
16. Middle Management
“Most middle management positions. Their job is literally to take things from above and send them below, and to have someone to shift blame to.” one person expressed.
“Don’t forget all the useless meetings that they organize. I bet redundant managers everywhere were really sweating for their jobs when everyone was WFH,” another one added.
Another commenter said, “You clearly have no idea what management does. Or worked on a team that was poorly managed.”
17. Hedge Fund Managers
One Reddit user said, “They produce no goods or services that actually make the world a better place. They are gamblers and leeches on society.”
Another user replied, “I’m convinced that half the time, even the news articles about stocks are [intentionally] misleading in order to get uninformed people to bet against the winning play.”
Original Reddit Thread here.
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Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
Let’s face it, we’re all looking for new ways to save money, and there are certain monthly costs you just cannot avoid.
If you’re a car owner, auto insurance is one of them.
Wouldn’t you love to have a lower auto insurance premium for the same value? Do you consider yourself to be a safe driver?
If you answered yes to both of these questions, a usage-based auto insurance program may be a solution for you.
A new way to lower your auto insurance premium is through usage based insurance programs.
Telematics Track Your Driving
I’m sure you’re asking, what on earth are usage based insurance programs?
Usage based insurance is just what it sounds like. Basically, your insurance will be based on how you drive your car.
Your behavior is tracked through a telematics device, which is a gadget that is installed in your car to measure your driving activity–how fast you drive, how frequent and far you drive, whether you have sudden stops, if you’re out late at night–you name it, telematics can track it.
This data is immediately shared with your insurance company.
If you’re a great driver, all of this will benefit you because it will allow your auto insurance provider to see your A-plus driving skills and give you lower rates because you are less of a risk in their eyes.
Getting rewarded for good behavior? Isn’t this the way the world should work?
Insurance carriers such as Progressive are already offering programs like Progressive Snapshot.
All you have to do is get the Snapshot device installed, drive for 30 days, and on day 31 your rate is fully personalized, and you can start receiving discounts.
Pretty cool!
Is Usage-Based Auto Insurance Right for You?
According to Forbes, Progressive started offering their telematics program back in 1998, and one-third of overall customers opt-in to participate and of that one-third, two-thirds receive savings.
Allstate also offers a program called Drivewise, Esurance offers Drivesense and State Farm offers Drive Safe & Save, to name a few.
Currently, all of the usage-based insurance programs only reward you for your good driving with savings; however, in the future, it is expected that users will also get penalized for poor driving.
Essentially, If you typically drive well above the speed limit, take risks on the road or drive erratically, telematics is not the best option for you because you won’t receive any savings for your driving behavior.
It’s important to note that telematics is currently not offered in Alaska, California, Hawaii, Indiana and North Carolina.
Now that you have the facts on usage based insurance programs, do you trust your driving is good enough to give it a try?
Wouldn’t saving money on your monthly bill be awesome?
Plus, usage based insurance encourages safe driving, which is always a good thing!
This article was written and sponsored by CoverHound, where you can compare car insurance rates in as little as 3 minutes.
Save more, spend smarter, and make your money go further
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