Allstate homeowners insurance

Overview

Allstate is the second-largest home insurer in the United States. Its NAIC group ranked #2 among U.S. homeowners insurance groups by 2025 direct premiums written, with $17.77 billion, or 9.40% of the national market, according to NAIC market share data. It was the largest home insurer in Rhode Island and second-largest in nine states, among them Texas ($3.32 billion, 16.20% of the market), Georgia, Louisiana, Illinois, Ohio and New York. Allstate reported about 7.7 million homeowners policies in force at the end of 2025.

Unlike State Farm, Allstate is a stock company. The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is owned by shareholders, and Tom Wilson is its chair, president and chief executive. Homeowners policies are written by several affiliates, including Allstate Insurance Company and Allstate Vehicle and Property Insurance Company. Allstate-brand policies are sold through exclusive Allstate agents, online and by phone. The group also sells home insurance through independent agents under National General, and it writes Florida homes through Castle Key Insurance Company and Castle Key Indemnity Company.

History

Sears, Roebuck and Co. launched Allstate on April 17, 1931, as a mail-order auto insurer sold through the Sears catalog. Agents began working out of Sears stores in the mid-1930s. In 1959 the company introduced a catastrophe response plan that sends large teams of claim specialists into disaster areas, a practice that continues today. Sears sold 19.8% of Allstate in a 1993 public offering, then the largest IPO in U.S. history, and spun off the remaining shares two years later.

The most important recent deal for homeowners was Allstate's roughly $4 billion purchase of National General Holdings, completed on January 4, 2021. National General brought about 42,300 independent agents and gave Allstate a second home insurance brand for customers who prefer an agent who represents several companies. Encompass, an older Allstate independent-agent brand, is also listed among Allstate's affiliates.

Homeowners coverage

The Allstate-brand homeowners policy, marketed as House & Home, includes dwelling, other structures, personal property, liability, guest medical protection and additional living expenses. Allstate's 10-K says a newer homeowners product, called "Affordable, Simple and Connected", was available in 31 states at the end of 2025, with the rollout due to finish in 2026. National General's Custom360 homeowners policy was sold through independent agents in 36 states.

Pay attention to the roof terms. Since at least 2014, the House & Home policy has used a roof payment schedule in many states. Wind and hail damage to an older roof is paid at a percentage set by the roof's age and material, while other losses, such as fire, are still settled at replacement cost. In a January 2014 Fox Business example, a 10-year-old, $20,000 roof with a $1,000 deductible left the homeowner about $11,000 out of pocket after a wind or hail loss, against $1,000 under replacement cost. Ask for the schedule that applies to your roof, and see our guide to roof payment schedules.

Optional coverages listed on Allstate's site:

• water backup, for drain backups and sump pump failure
• identity theft restoration
• scheduled personal property for appraised valuables
• higher limits for business property, sports equipment, musical instruments, and yard and garden items
• electronic data recovery
• green improvement reimbursement
• HostAdvantage, for homeowners who rent out their home occasionally

Three House & Home add-ons work like loyalty features:

• Claim RateGuard: your premium won't go up just because you file a claim.
• Claim-Free Bonus: 5% back at each renewal you go without a claim.
• Deductible Rewards: $100 off your deductible at sign-up and another $100 for each claim-free year, up to $500.

Flood is excluded. Allstate agents sell NFIP flood policies, and Allstate also offers personal umbrella, condo, renters, landlord and manufactured home coverage.

Discounts and savings

Allstate's discount page lists:

• a multi-policy discount for bundling home and auto
• the Responsible Payer discount for on-time payment history and payment type
• a claim-free discount for switching without a recent claim
• a welcome and loyalty discount
• a home buyer discount for new construction or recent purchases
• the Easy Pay Plan for automatic payments
• a protective device discount
• an early signing discount when you buy at least seven days before your current policy expires

In Florida, Castle Key gives windstorm mitigation discounts for documented features verified by a licensed inspector or contractor. Discount availability varies by state.

Where it sells and recent market moves

Allstate is among the 10 largest home insurers in 46 states and the District of Columbia. It is not in the top 10 in Florida, Massachusetts, North Dakota or South Dakota.

California. Allstate stopped writing new homeowners policies in 2022, yet it still ranked 6th there in 2025 on its existing book ($1.06 billion). On August 31, 2026 it submitted a filing under California's Sustainable Insurance Strategy, which ties approval of catastrophe-model and reinsurance costs in rates to commitments to write in wildfire-distressed areas. In a September 18, 2026 alert, the California Department of Insurance said Allstate was not yet open for new business.

Florida. Florida homes are written through the separate Castle Key companies, not Allstate Insurance Company.

Allstate's 10-K puts its modeled 1-in-100-year probable maximum loss for hurricane, earthquake and wildfire at about $3.1 billion net of reinsurance as of December 31, 2025. Homeowners results improved in 2025. Allstate reported a fourth-quarter 2025 homeowners combined ratio of 55.3, meaning it paid out about 55 cents in claims and expenses per premium dollar in a quarter with no hurricanes.

Claims

You can report a home claim through My Account or the Allstate mobile app, or by calling 800-255-7828 (1-800-ALLSTATE). You get a claim number and can track progress online. You can choose a contractor from Allstate's Good Hands Repair Network, in which case Allstate works directly with the contractor and offers a lifetime guarantee on the repairs, or hire your own. After large disasters, Allstate sends mobile claim centers to affected areas. Allstate's claims page reminds policyholders that its policy requires notice of damage, even when the loss may fall under the deductible.

Ratings and reputation

On September 2, 2026, AM Best affirmed the A+ (Superior) financial strength rating of the Allstate Insurance Group members, with a stable outlook. AM Best called Allstate's balance sheet "very strong" and its operating performance strong. The same action affirmed:

• the Allstate New Jersey companies at A- (Excellent), with the outlook raised to stable from negative
• the Castle Key Group, Allstate's Florida property insurers, at B (Fair), with the outlook revised to positive after improved profitability

Allstate was not among the top three homeowners insurers named in J.D. Power's 2025 or 2026 U.S. Home Insurance Study releases.

Who it suits

Allstate suits homeowners who want an exclusive agent, a strong group rating and policy features such as Claim RateGuard and Deductible Rewards that reward staying claim-free. Read the roof terms carefully if you live in hail country and your roof is more than about 10 years old. In Florida, the company on your declarations page will be Castle Key, which has a much lower rating than the Allstate group.

• Strengths: A+ (Superior) AM Best rating affirmed September 2026; a top-three home insurer in 29 states; a long list of optional coverages and loyalty features; a choice of Allstate agents or independent agents through National General.
• Weaknesses: no new California homeowners business since 2022; Florida policies are written by Castle Key, rated B (Fair); wind and hail roof claims on older roofs can be paid on a depreciation schedule; Allstate agents sell only Allstate products.

How to contact Allstate