ZIP 59601 · Lewis and Clark County

Helena, MT Homeowners Insurance

According to U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 filings, homeowners insurance in ZIP 59601, Helena, Montana averages $1,715/yr.

24.6%
Loss ratio
0.43%
Nonrenewal rate
#109 of 167
Montana rank
81
Policies

The verdict

ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT) is #9,923 of 25,593 for homeowners premium and #18,826 of 21,752 for nonrenewal, per 2022 FIO filings. The two ranks do not match.

$1,715
Avg premium (2022)
#9,923
of 25,593 on premium
#18,826
of 21,752 on nonrenewal
61st
national percentile

Premium rank counts ZIPs with a reported average premium, highest first. Nonrenewal rank counts ZIPs with a reported nonrenewal rate, highest first. The two boards are different extracts.

According to U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data. How we calculate the percentile and national comparison: methodology.

Insurance Livability Score

C-
PlainInsure Livability Score
54/100
59601 - Helena, MT

PlainInsure's own composite of Treasury FIO premium/market data and FEMA National Risk Index hazard data, each dimension percentile-ranked against the full national corpus. Not an official government score, and not a substitute for an actual insurance quote.

Affordability F
$1,715/yr
Avg premium, 39th cheapest nationally (Treasury FIO)
Market Stability A
0.00%
Nonrenewal rate -- insurers dropping coverage (Treasury FIO)
Disaster Risk F
71.2
County FEMA National Risk Index score
Community Resilience A-
83.3
County FEMA NRI community-resilience score

Where ZIP 59601's premium sits nationally

Average annual homeowners premium across 25,593 tracked ZIP codes, as of 2022

$1,715 Around the middle lower than 39% of 25,593 ZIP codes

tracked ZIP codes, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $0.25K-wide band; taller bars hold more ZIP codes. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count and share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office · 2022

The local market map

Premium and nonrenewal do not always move together

The highlighted dot is ZIP 59601. Each other dot is a deterministic sample of ZIPs in Montana, spread across the premium range. Crosshairs mark the published state averages, so this is a comparison of two reported measures, not a quote or a forecast.

State ZIP peer map

Highlighted: ZIP 59601; crosshairs: Montana averages

Lower premium / higher nonrenewalHigher on bothLower on bothHigher premium / lower nonrenewal$858.2$2623.6$4389.1$6154.5$7920.00.1%1.1%2.2%3.2%4.2%Average annual premiumNonrenewal rate
Source: U.S. Treasury FIO 2022 ZIP-level homeowners insurance filings. The matrix samples 50 ZIPs across the state premium distribution and retains this ZIP.
Read the plotted ZIP values
  • ZIP 59919 · Hungry Horse $1,179/yr · 3.72%
  • ZIP 59801 · Missoula $1,271/yr · 0.60%
  • ZIP 59711 · Anaconda $1,335/yr · 1.04%
  • ZIP 59864 · Ronan $1,402/yr · 0.71%
  • ZIP 59873 · Thompson Falls $1,426/yr · 1.37%
  • ZIP 59847 · Lolo $1,437/yr · 0.98%
  • ZIP 59859 · Plains $1,459/yr · 0.63%
  • ZIP 59425 · Conrad $1,496/yr · 0.57%
  • ZIP 59405 · Great Falls $1,515/yr · 0.71%
  • ZIP 59926 · Martin City $1,550/yr · 1.18%
  • ZIP 59866 · Saint Regis $1,598/yr · 1.67%
  • ZIP 59639 · Lincoln $1,607/yr · 1.17%
  • ZIP 59635 · East Helena $1,608/yr · 0.72%
  • ZIP 59834 · Frenchtown $1,620/yr · 1.82%
  • ZIP 59442 · Fort Benton $1,639/yr · 0.92%
  • ZIP 59874 · Trout Creek $1,673/yr · 0.27%
  • ZIP 59482 · Sunburst $1,697/yr · 4.05%
  • ZIP 59487 · Vaughn $1,713/yr · 1.56%
  • ZIP 59601 · Helena (this ZIP) $1,715/yr · 0.43%
  • ZIP 59501 · Havre $1,732/yr · 0.82%
  • ZIP 59820 · Alberton $1,742/yr · 1.76%
  • ZIP 59833 · Florence $1,753/yr · 1.74%
  • ZIP 59824 · Charlo $1,763/yr · 0.66%
  • ZIP 59523 · Chinook $1,781/yr · 2.42%
  • ZIP 59930 · Rexford $1,797/yr · 0.61%
  • ZIP 59728 · Elliston $1,816/yr · 1.22%
  • ZIP 59648 · Wolf Creek $1,836/yr · 2.04%
  • ZIP 59875 · Victor $1,882/yr · 1.05%
  • ZIP 59421 · Cascade $1,902/yr · 1.09%
  • ZIP 59047 · Livingston $1,922/yr · 0.45%
  • ZIP 59718 · Bozeman $1,967/yr · 0.48%
  • ZIP 59063 · Park City $2,031/yr · 0.63%
  • ZIP 59011 · Big Timber $2,077/yr · 0.38%
  • ZIP 59101 · Billings $2,085/yr · 0.42%
  • ZIP 59327 · Forsyth $2,094/yr · 0.52%
  • ZIP 59044 · Laurel $2,115/yr · 0.60%
  • ZIP 59034 · Hardin $2,129/yr · 0.90%
  • ZIP 59008 · Belfry $2,142/yr · 2.70%
  • ZIP 59330 · Glendive $2,150/yr · 0.55%
  • ZIP 59019 · Columbus $2,192/yr · 0.32%
  • ZIP 59911 · Bigfork $2,227/yr · 0.69%
  • ZIP 59086 · Wilsall $2,246/yr · 1.47%
  • ZIP 59645 · White Sulphur Springs $2,347/yr · 2.17%
  • ZIP 59313 · Baker $2,425/yr · 1.22%
  • ZIP 59715 · Bozeman $2,458/yr · 0.44%
  • ZIP 59937 · Whitefish $2,516/yr · 1.24%
  • ZIP 59826 · Condon $2,579/yr · 0.34%
  • ZIP 59037 · Huntley $2,627/yr · 0.54%
  • ZIP 59720 · Cameron $3,143/yr · 1.21%
  • ZIP 59716 · Big Sky $7,599/yr · 0.33%
Avg Premium (2022)
$1,715/yr
Near-median premium
+7.3% since 2018
Loss Ratio
24.6%
Below-median loss ratio
Claim Frequency
4.43%
Avg severity: $9,547
Nonrenewal Rate
0.43%
Below-median nonrenewal rate
-32.5% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT)

ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT) shows an average homeowners insurance premium of $1,715 per year as of 2022, based on U.S. Treasury FIO ZIP-level observations across approximately 81 reported policies. That is 3% below the national average of $1,776 per year, placing this ZIP in the 61st percentile nationally. Against Montana's average of $1,945, ZIP 59601 is 12% below, ranking #109 of 167 tracked ZIPs in Montana by premium. The closest-priced peer within Montana is Vaughn (ZIP 59487) at $1,713, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

ZIP 59601 shows a 24.6% loss ratio, an indication that insurers retained a working margin after claims. About 4.43% of policyholders in this ZIP file a claim annually, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $9,547. The nonrenewal rate here is 0.43%, a drop of 32.5% over the past five years, the share of policies insurers choose not to extend at expiration, often a leading sign of market stress.

Across 5 years (2018–2022), premiums in ZIP 59601 have risen by 7.3%, ranging from $1,597 to $1,715 with a five-year average of $1,638, an annualized rate of +1.8% per year.

Lewis and Clark County carries a FEMA National Risk Index score of 71.2 (Relatively Low), 71st percentile nationally and #7 of 45 Montana counties - 76% above the state mean of 40.5. Dominant mapped hazard: Cold Wave. Companion scores: Social Vulnerability Index 21.2 · Community Resilience 83.3. This is hazard context from FEMA, not a premium formula.

How to read these numbers

The figures on this page come from the U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office, which collects homeowners insurance premium and claims data directly from the largest property insurers in the country. Because the data is aggregated at the ZIP-code level and averaged across many policies, it describes the typical cost in an area rather than a quote for any single home. Two houses on the same street can pay very different premiums depending on their age, construction type, roof condition, prior claims, and the specific coverage limits and deductibles the homeowner selects. The loss ratio shows how much of every premium dollar insurers paid back out as claims; a ratio above one means carriers lost money locally, which often precedes rate increases or carrier exits. Rising nonrenewal and claim frequency reveal how stressed the local market has become. Use these figures to gauge the direction and scale of costs in your area, then request quotes from several licensed carriers before buying or renewing a policy. FIO data aggregates voluntary reporting from the 40 largest homeowners insurers, covering roughly 80% of the U.S. market, so figures represent market averages rather than individual policy quotes; your own premium will vary with dwelling value, deductible, coverage limits, construction type, and insurer-specific underwriting. This page is educational research only and is not insurance advice, homeowners should request quotes from multiple licensed carriers or an independent agent before purchasing or renewing coverage.

How ZIP 59601 Compares

vs National Average
$1,715 vs $1,776
3% below national avg
vs Montana Average
$1,715 vs $1,945
12% below state avg
National Percentile
61th percentile
Above median cost

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 59601, 2018–2022

$1,550$1,600$1,650$1,700$1,750 20182019202020212022 $1,715
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 59601.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $1,597 -
2019 $1,612 +0.9%
2020 $1,604 -0.5%
2021 $1,661 +3.6%
2022 $1,715 +3.2%

2018-2022 premium path for ZIP 59601

5-Year Avg Premium
$1,638
Premium Range
$1,597 - $1,715
Annual Change Rate
+1.8% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

Elevated FEMA NRI in Lewis and Clark County

County National Risk Index joined to ZIP 59601 via FIPS 30049. Hazard and vulnerability context from FEMA, not a premium driver and not a quote.

County risk score
71.2
Relatively Low · 71st national percentile
In-state county rank
#7
of 45 Montana counties · state mean 40.5
Top mapped hazard
Cold Wave
Expected annual loss $12,893,215

Social Vulnerability Index 21.2 · Community Resilience 83.3

County hazard ratings

Wildfire
Relatively Moderate
Flooding
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Relatively Low
Tornado
Very Low
Hail
Very Low
Winter weather
Very High

Source: FEMA National Risk Index · state rollup: Montana NRI context · top counties by NRI score.

Cross-state FIO peers for a higher-NRI ZIP (Lewis and Clark County)

Two FIO peer sets for ZIP 59601 in Lewis and Clark County (NRI 71.2, hazard Cold Wave), both outside Montana. Population floor ≥1,000 matches the rate rankings.

Similar average premium

Nearest other-state ZIPs by average homeowners premium ($1,715/yr here).

Similar nonrenewal rate

Nearest other-state ZIPs by nonrenewal rate (0.43% here).

Source: U.S. Department of the Treasury, Federal Insurance Office (FIO) Homeowners Insurance Data (2018-2022). Premiums are ZIP-level averages and may not reflect individual policy costs

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is homeowners insurance in ZIP 59601?
ZIP 59601 (Helena, MT) tracks close to the national middle for homeowners insurance costs: $1,715 per year as of 2022 (61st percentile, #109 of 167 ZIPs in Montana). Premiums have changed +7.3% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Helena, MT?
Three figures shape homeowners insurance costs in ZIP 59601: claims frequency (4.43%), loss ratio (24.6%), and nonrenewal rate (0.43%), together placing this ZIP at the 61st national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 59601 compared to the national average?
ZIP 59601 premiums of $1,715/yr are 3% below the national average of $1,776/yr. This ZIP is in the 61st percentile nationally.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 59601?
The nonrenewal rate in ZIP 59601 is 0.43%, a drop of 32.5% over the past 5 years in Montana.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 59601 over 5 years?
Over the past 5 years, 2018 through 2022, the range in ZIP 59601 runs $1,597-$1,715 (5-year average $1,638). The annualized change rate is +1.8% per year.
How does ZIP 59601 compare to the Montana state average?
The Montana state average is $1,945/yr; ZIP 59601 averages $1,715/yr, 12% below that figure, ranking #109 of 167 tracked ZIPs in Montana by premium.
What is the FEMA National Risk Index score for ZIP 59601?
FEMA NRI for the county containing ZIP 59601 (Lewis and Clark) is 71.2 - #7/45 in Montana, 71st national percentile, top hazard Cold Wave. It does not replace the FIO premium figures on this page.

What to do with ZIP 59601

This ZIP's premiums run at the 61st national percentile, but a single number is not a quote.

These figures are Treasury FIO aggregates for this ZIP, not a personal insurance quote.

Every figure on PlainInsure is rendered directly from U.S. Treasury Federal Insurance Office data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on U.S. Treasury FIO data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.