Consumer Reports Data Shows This Is The Worst Homeowners Insurance Company To Avoid

From unexpected roof damage after a bad storm to sudden plumbing disasters, having the right homeowner's insurance coverage can be the difference between a manageable repair and a financial nightmare. Choosing the wrong insurance company can leave you with confusing policies, slow payouts, denied claims, and endless frustration when you need help the most. With construction costs soaring, repair bills are climbing, and homeowners' insurance rates are following suit. Consumer Reports recently analyzed policyholder satisfaction and claim experiences, and while no company earned top marks, Florida-based Citizens Property was ranked the worst homeowners insurance company and is one you should avoid.

To understand why, we decided to do a little digging beyond the Consumer Reports data. Our research quickly identified that there was a bigger problem to uncover than just a few unhappy customer reviews. There are a lot of reasons you need homeowner's insurance. Citizens Property was created by Florida's legislature as a last resort insurer for homeowners who can't find private coverage, especially in hurricane-prone or high-risk areas. Other states have similar government-backed programs, but Citizens Property is one of the largest. The initial idea was simply to provide every homeowner with access to basic insurance coverage, even when private companies decided their properties were too risky to insure. But over time, extreme weather events that lead to rising storm damage claims and complex economic pressures have pushed the company toward insolvency. Today, policyholders face delayed and denied claims, and "depopulation" efforts as Citizens Property drops homeowners from coverage entirely, leaving many Floridians wondering how to protect their homes.

There's another issue for homeowners on the horizon. Insurance rate hikes are hitting the majority of consumers, straining already tight budgets and lowering overall customer satisfaction ratings across the board. It's not just happening to Citizens Property customers. According to Consumer Reports, other companies, including Allstate, Farmers, and Liberty Mutual, also received poor ratings that can be attributed at least in part to the perfect storm of poor economic headwinds and calamitous climate change. And it's not just happening in Florida. Homeowners are feeling the pinch across the country, from Minnesota, where premiums are projected to rise 15% in 2025, to California, where the risk of catastrophic wildfires makes countless neighborhoods totally uninsurable.

No matter where you live, figuring out how to afford or even access coverage may have you worried. Fortunately, there are some easy ways to save on your homeowner's insurance that you should know about. First and foremost, shop around. Don't settle for the first quote you get, as rates can vary significantly between different insurers. You may want to consider bundling your home and auto insurance for potential discounts. If you've received notice of an impending rate hike, review your policy. Ensure it still meets your needs and accurately reflects the current value of your home. Don't be afraid to ask for discounts, especially if you've upgraded your home's weatherproofing or security systems, you've served in the military, or you've been a loyal customer. Once you have several quotes in hand, research which companies have the highest satisfaction ratings based not just on cost, but on the overall claims process and customer service satisfaction scores.