Idaho is one of the best states to live in when it comes to home owners insurance. There are various reasons for this, but one important factor is that Idaho has fewer natural disasters and less extreme weather than most other states. Idaho is nestled in the northwest between the coastal states Washington and Oregon, the earthquake-ridden state of California, and the flood-prone states in the midwest. Obviously Idaho is not immune to natural disasters, but compared to other states, it is pretty safe.

That said, there are some features of Idaho that you should at least be aware of as you consider your options. Because Idaho is heavily wooded, there are fairly regular forest fires during the occasional dry spell. Unless you live close to the forests, this probably won’t affect you, however. Also, while not particularly susceptible to earthquakes, Idaho is certainly not immune, so this might be something you would want to consider. Other possibilities include flooding, which is also not too likely in most areas, but can be an occasional problem. Because much of Idaho is desert (as a result of the large Rocky Mountain range), rain can sometimes accumulate and storms have the potential to be severe. Again, it’s not too common, but it can happen.

There are cities near lakes in Idaho, such as Coeur d’alene in the north. Northern Idaho is more susceptible to fierce winds and extreme cold weather, which can negatively affect home owners insurance rates. Northern Idaho has towns like Lewiston, Sandpoint, Coeur d’alene, and Moscow. It is important to note that a large percentage of Idaho’s population is concentrated in Boise and its nearby cities: Meridian, Eagle, Nampa, Garden City, and Caldwell. Even with approximately one-third of Idaho nestled in and around the Treasure Valley, the crime rate is comparatively low and homes are spread out.

A recent national poll supports the claim that Idaho is a good place for home owners insurance. Idaho is one of four states that earned an A rating for favorable insurance environments from the The Heartland Institute and the Competitive Enterprise Institute. Other factors, aside from its relative safety from natural disasters, is the state of the home owners insurance market. It is less-regulated than many other states, which lets consumers have more choice and better rates, due to natural market forces.

If cost is the driving factor for you, you’ll be happy to know that Idaho consistently has some of the lowest home owners insurance rates in the country. Low crime, a relative paucity of bad weather and natural disasters, and a good home owners insurance market make Idaho a great bet for your home owners insurance needs.