Situated right in the center of northern, peninsular Florida, Alachua County is a region made up of diverse cultures and communities with a population of 269,043 residents. Although many of Alachua County’s communities are rural, the county population is relatively high because of the presence of the University of Florida, which is located in the county seat of Gainesville, FL,
Living in Alachua
The median home value in Alachua County is $173,900 for owner-occupied homes, and the median household income is $49,078, which is 20 percent lower than the national median income. In comparison to the home values, the income levels in the county are relatively low, which indicates the area has a high cost-of-living.
A significant portion of Alachua County’s economy is centered around the University of Florida, and Gainesville’s close to 135,000 residents represent close to 50 percent of the residents in the county. The university alone has over 15,000 employees and over 50,000 on-campus students enrolled.
Also, the Gainesville Metropolitan Area stretches across both Alachua County and Gilchrist County and has a population that rivals that of Alachua County at over 277,000 residents. Other than Gainesville, the largest communities in Alachua County are Alachua, Newberry, and High Springs, which together represent over 20,000 residents.
Home Insurance Premiums in Alachua County
Despite the high cost of homes relative to the county’s income, the average premium for home insurance isn’t unreasonably high for the state of Florida and in comparison to similar, neighboring counties. This is likely contributed to by the county’s central location in the state, which protects it from damage due to tropical storms. Regardless, wind mitigation features still drive down the average cost to insure a home in the county.
Average Homeowners Premiums in Alachua County
| Construction Type | Home Value | Average Premium |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-2001 (No Wind Mitigation) | $150,000 | $1413.11 |
| Pre-2001 (With Wind Mitigation) | $150,000 | $1034.19 |
| New Construction | $300,000 | $1691.37 |
| Overall Average | $1379.56 |
We calculated the overall homeowners insurance average in the county to be $1,379 based on the data provided by Florida’s Office of Insurance Regulation. Although Alachua County already has relatively low costing home insurance compared to other areas of Florida, that doesn’t mean you should do all you can to save on your policy. Comparison shopping between different insurance companies can yield you wildly different quotes.
As you can see in this list, the companies that have offered the lowest average policies in Alachua County in recent years could save you hundreds of dollars on your premium.
For $150,000 homes built before 2001 without wind mitigation, the average premium is $1,413.
To get even better rates, get quotes from these insurers:
- First Protective – $948
- Citizens – $970
- Stillwater – $987
- Tower Hill Prime – $992
List of Companies & Rates for Home Valued at $150,000, Pre-2001 Construction Without Wind Mitigation Rate in Alachua County
| Company Name | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| First Protective | $948 |
| Citizens | $970 |
| Stillwater | $987 |
| Tower Hill Prime | $992 |
| Universal | $1,000 |
| Florida Peninsula | $1,066 |
| People's Trust | $1,204 |
| Southern Fidelity | $1,208 |
| Tower Hill Preferred | $1,213 |
| Florida Farm | $1,235 |
| ASI | $1,309 |
| American Integrity | $1,319 |
| First Community | $1,350 |
| St. Johns | $1,368 |
| Tower Hill Signature | $1,383 |
| American Traditions | $1,386 |
| Tower Hill Select | $1,392 |
| Florida Family | $1,439 |
| Universal | $1,507 |
| Family Security | $1,533 |
| Security First | $1,569 |
| Southern Oak | $1,595 |
| FedNat | $1,631 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,708 |
| Castle Key | $1,874 |
| Auto Club Florida | $2,116 |
| State Farm Florida | $2,852 |
| Average | $1,413.11 |
For $150,000 homes built before 2001 with wind mitigation, the average premium is $1,034.
To get even better rates, get quotes from these insurers:
- First Protective – $519
- Universal – $583
- Tower Hill Prime – $674
- Stillwater – $685
List of Companies & Rates for Home Valued at $150,000, Pre-2001 Construction With Wind Mitigation Rate in Alachua County
| Company Name | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| First Protective | $519 |
| Universal | $583 |
| Tower Hill Prime | $674 |
| Stillwater | $685 |
| Florida Farm | $725 |
| Citizens | $760 |
| St. Johns | $817 |
| Tower Hill Preferred | $840 |
| Florida Peninsula | $854 |
| People's Trust | $881 |
| Universal | $884 |
| Southern Fidelity | $947 |
| American Traditions | $952 |
| Tower Hill Select | $954 |
| ASI | $1,005 |
| Southern Oak | $1,013 |
| American Integrity | $1,026 |
| FedNat | $1,044 |
| Florida Family | $1,067 |
| First Community | $1,074 |
| Liberty Mutual | $1,134 |
| Tower Hill Signature | $1,160 |
| Family Security | $1,275 |
| Security First | $1,394 |
| Castle Key | $1,598 |
| Auto Club Florida | $1,762 |
| State Farm Florida | $2,296 |
| Average | $1,034.19 |
For $300,000 homes with new construction, the average premium is $1,691.
To get even better rates, get quotes from these insurers:
- Stillwater – $909
- First Protective – $964
- Universal – $1,081
- Florida Farm – $1,245
List of Companies & Rates for Home Valued at $300,000, New Construction in Alachua County
| Company Name | Annual Premium |
|---|---|
| Stillwater | $909 |
| First Protective | $964 |
| Universal | $1,081 |
| Florida Farm | $1,245 |
| Tower Hill Prime | $1,285 |
| People's Trust | $1,312 |
| St. Johns | $1,315 |
| Southern Oak | $1,331 |
| Florida Peninsula | $1,377 |
| American Traditions | $1,380 |
| Citizens | $1,474 |
| Tower Hill Preferred | $1,487 |
| Universal | $1,501 |
| Tower Hill Select | $1,525 |
| American Integrity | $1,547 |
| First Community | $1,681 |
| ASI | $1,718 |
| Southern Fidelity | $1,842 |
| Florida Family | $1,878 |
| Family Security | $1,896 |
| FedNat | $1,920 |
| Security First | $1,983 |
| Tower Hill Signature | $2,079 |
| Castle Key | $2,305 |
| Auto Club Florida | $2,345 |
| Liberty Mutual | $2,390 |
| State Farm Florida | $3,897 |
| Average | $1,691.37 |
Flood Insurance in Alachua
Companies like First Protective have had success with Alachua County residents for more than just its affordable home insurance policies. Additionally, local companies like First Protective underwrite flood insurance policies for the federal National Flood Insurance Program.
As many areas in the U.S., such as Florida, are vulnerable to flooding, the NFIP makes the necessary flood insurance coverage affordable for residents of high-risk regions, as identified by FEMA. Since damage from flooding is excluded from coverage on standard home insurance policies, it’s important that you purchase a flood insurance policy in addition to your home insurance coverage.
