Minnesota Now Has the Worst Home Insurance Increases in the Country: 5 Moves to Make Before Your Next Renewal

Written By Chad Wallace

Yes, your renewal increase is real. A mid-2026 analysis by Insurify found that Minnesota had the largest homeowners insurance premium increase in the country in the first half of the year. The average rose 12.9%, about $457-to $3,987 annually.

That figure is a statewide estimate, not a prediction of your individual renewal. But if your bill has climbed, you’re not imagining it.

Why are rates moving? Frequent, severe hail and wind damage, more expensive claims, rising rebuilding costs, and the cost of transferring risk through reinsurance all contribute to insurers’ pricing decisions. Carriers are also adjusting prices across the state as they respond to storm losses and changing risk.

The pressure is especially visible in southern Minnesota. Le Sueur, Watonwan, Martin, Hennepin, and Steele counties were among the sharpest risers nationally. Insurify reported increases of about 20% to 24% in those counties. The largest county increase nationwide was 33%, but that figure was not specific to Minnesota.

You can’t control the weather or the insurance market. You can make sure your coverage still fits your home, and compare options before you accept a new price.

1. Review your declarations page line by line

Your declarations page summarizes your home’s coverage, limits, and deductibles. Read it before renewal, not after a storm.

Start with your dwelling limit, often called Coverage A. It should reflect what it could cost to rebuild your home, not its real estate market value or the amount you paid for it. Construction prices and labor costs have climbed, so an old limit may no longer be enough to rebuild.

Underinsurance is easy to overlook until you need to make a major repair. Ask your agent whether the limit reflects your home’s size, materials, features, and current local construction costs.

Next, check the wind and hail deductible. Some Minnesota policies use a separate storm deductible instead of your standard flat-dollar deductible. It may be a percentage of your dwelling limit.

For example, if your dwelling limit is $400,000 and your wind/hail deductible is 2%, you could pay $8,000 out of pocket before coverage applies to a covered storm loss. Your policy defines how that percentage is calculated, so confirm the basis and amount on your own documents.

✔ Verify your dwelling limit
✔ Find the wind/hail deductible
✔ Ask what your deductible would equal in dollars

The Minnesota Department of Commerce advises homeowners to review wind and hail limits, deductibles, and exclusions. A lower premium may come with more of the repair cost on your side.

2. Understand how your policy pays for your roof

Ask your agent this direct question: “Is my roof insured at actual cash value or replacement cost?”

With replacement cost coverage, the policy may pay the covered cost to repair or replace damaged roofing, subject to the deductible, limits, and policy conditions. With actual cash value (ACV), the insurer subtracts depreciation for age and wear. That can significantly reduce the payment for an older roof.

Some policies cover the home itself at replacement cost but apply ACV or an age-based payment schedule specifically to the roof. Look for terms such as “roof surfacing,” “roof loss settlement,” or “roof payment schedule.” Also ask whether the policy limits wind or hail damage coverage, or excludes cosmetic damage.


Your roof’s age, materials, endorsements, and policy wording all matter. Don’t assume your roof receives the same settlement basis as the rest of your home. Ask for an explanation before renewal and request a copy of any relevant endorsement.

3. Shop the market, not just the renewal price

When a carrier raises your premium, loyalty alone won’t tell you whether the new price is competitive. Compare at least three quotes from different carriers, with similar limits, deductibles, and coverage terms.

This matters in Minnesota because pricing and eligibility can vary by carrier, county, roof age, claims history, and property details. One company may be tightening its appetite for a particular risk while another may still offer a suitable option.

Compare the protection, not just the total:

  • Dwelling and personal property limits

  • Wind/hail deductible and other deductibles

  • Roof settlement terms and exclusions

  • Liability limits and additional living expense coverage

  • Discounts, fees, and any conditions that could change the price

An independent agent can shop coverage across multiple insurers rather than quote only one company. Shady Oak Insurance Agency represents many respected carriers and can help you compare your options.

If you’re already reviewing your household’s protection, you can also look at your auto and umbrella coverage, and whether your family’s broader needs, such as renters or life insurance, are still addressed. A home quote is one part of a complete personal insurance review.

4. Stack discounts, and ask about stronger roofing

Ask what discounts are available before deciding to reduce coverage or take a higher deductible. Options may include:

✔ Bundling home and auto
✔ Paying your premium in full
✔ Qualifying safety or protective devices
✔ Approved impact-resistant roofing

If you’re replacing your roof anyway, ask insurers whether a qualifying impact-resistant roof could reduce your premium. Requirements vary by company. Confirm eligible materials, installation standards, and required proof before choosing a roofing product.

Minnesota also requires insurers to offer a premium discount or rate reduction for qualifying properties meeting the state’s FORTIFIED building standards. The amount and how it applies to your premium depend on the insurer and the qualifying designation. Ask what documentation is required and whether the credit applies to the wind/hail portion or another part of your policy.


An upgrade won’t necessarily pay for itself through insurance savings alone. But if you’re already planning a replacement, comparing the cost of qualifying materials with potential credits can help you make a more informed decision.

5. Protect your claims record and document storm damage

After a storm, be cautious if a contractor appears at your door and pressures you to sign quickly or file a claim. Get time to understand the scope, price, and contract. The Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry offers guidance for hiring a contractor after storm damage.

A claim may affect your future premiums or options, but that doesn’t mean you should avoid reporting a legitimate covered loss. Instead, understand your deductible, document the damage, and ask your agent how to proceed if you’re unsure whether the damage is worth reporting. Never exaggerate damage or include unrelated repairs in a claim.

After a storm:

  • Take dated photos or video of visible damage.

  • Keep repair estimates and receipts.

  • Make reasonable temporary repairs to prevent further damage.

  • Contact your insurer or agent with questions about reporting and next steps.

  • Review contractor paperwork carefully before signing.


Clear records can help you explain what happened and when. If you have questions about coverage or a claim dispute, you can also contact the Minnesota Department of Commerce’s consumer services team.

Make your next renewal a decision, not an automatic payment

Minnesota homeowners are facing real pressure from hail and wind losses, higher claim costs, and changing carrier decisions. Rates may continue to climb while severe weather remains a major driver.

The homeowners who come out best are the ones who review, shop, and right-size their coverage at every renewal instead of automatically paying the new number. Confirm your rebuild limit, understand your roof settlement terms, know your deductible in dollars, and compare the full coverage, not just the premium.

For a Minnesota home insurance review, contact Shady Oak Insurance Agency at 612-361-9717. You can compare options and ask questions before deciding what’s right for your home and family.

Sources and further reading


Chad Wallace
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