Home Insurance in Birmingham
Compare, shop and customize quotes from top-rated insurance carriers.
Life in the Magic City
With a little less than 197,000 residents, Birmingham is the third-largest city in Alabama. It is a major regional hub of the South, featuring a diverse and growing economy. Major employers such as Regions Financial Corp, Encompass Health and Alabama Power are headquartered here, providing opportunities for professionals at every level. Steeped in history, Birmingham was also an important location in the American Civil Rights Movement. A visit to the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and the self-guided Civil Rights Walk of Freedom tour provide an up-close-and-personal look at the city's legacy.
Birmingham is one of the most affordable places to live, with a cost of living that is 13% lower than the national average. The median household income is around $39,000 which is almost 40% of the median property value of $102,900. While that might be a better ratio than in other cities, replacing your home after a fire or natural disaster may be too costly without home insurance in Birmingham.
Risks to Your Birmingham Home
As a property owner in Birmingham, you're faced with these hazards to your residence:
- Severe thunderstorms: Birmingham sees heavy rain and severe thunderstorms, often accompanied by hail and strong winds. These storms can cause tree damage and water damage to houses.
- Tornadoes: Historically, Alabama has had some of the highest frequencies of tornadoes nationwide. The strongest tornadoes can cause significant destruction to your home.
- Structural problems: Birmingham includes many neighborhoods with older residences dating back to the 1800s. Older homes are often more susceptible to damage. They also feature materials and fixtures that can be more expensive to replace.
Birmingham is also located in a subtropical region, where it's prone to flooding from heavy rainfall. Your policy for home insurance in Birmingham may not cover flooding, but VIU by HUB can help you sort through available coverages.
Home Insurance for Birminghamians
When shopping for home insurance in Birmingham, look for these basic coverages :
- Property damage: This covers damage to your home, other structures and the contents. It does not extend to coverage of vehicles in most cases.
- Additional living expenses: If your home is damaged due to an insured event, this benefit pays for things like hotel stays, dining and temporary storage.
- Personal liability: This coverage protects you from a claim or lawsuit for injury or property damage to third parties caused by your negligence.
- Medical payments: This benefit covers the medical bills of those who might be injured by you or anyone named on your policy.
Depending on your situation, you may need higher limits for some of these coverages. VIU by HUB can help you determine what makes the most sense for your household.
The Bottom Line for Birmingham
Home insurance costs residents of Birmingham approximately $2,807 annually. on average. This is higher than the state average as well as the national average of $2,417. These factors influence your rates for coverage:
- Location: Proximity to coastal weather events and areas of high crime result in higher premiums.
- Age and condition: Aging homes are often more expensive to cover.
- Size of home: The larger your residence, the more you'll pay for standard coverage.
- Credit score: A strong record of good credit management can lower your rates significantly.
If you require additional coverage for things like boats or high-value items, you'll likely pay more for coverage. You may also qualify for multiple discounts that lower your premium. With VIU by HUB, you don't have to figure out home insurance in Birmingham on your own. You can compare quotes from multiple insurers to see which provider offers a policy that's best suited for your household needs.
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal advice.
SOURCES
NOAA National Climatic Data Center