ZIP 98229 · Whatcom County

Bellingham, WA Homeowners Insurance

Homeowners insurance market metrics for ZIP 98229, Bellingham, Washington.

44.6%
Loss ratio
0.59%
Nonrenewal rate
#366 of 511
Washington rank
238
Policies

The verdict

Bellingham, WA (ZIP 98229) averages $1,223/yr for homeowners insurance, 31% below the U.S. average, placing it in the 25th percentile nationally.

$1,223
Avg premium (2022)
-31%
vs U.S. average
+10.6%
since 2018
25th
national percentile

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

Avg Premium (2022)
$1,223/yr
+10.6% since 2018
Loss Ratio
44.6%
Claims paid vs premiums
Claim Frequency
3.57%
Avg severity: $15,275
Nonrenewal Rate
0.59%
+147.0% change

Data Snapshot: ZIP 98229 (Bellingham, WA)

ZIP 98229 (Bellingham, WA) shows an average homeowners insurance premium of $1,223 per year as of 2022, based on U.S. Treasury FIO ZIP-level observations across approximately 238 reported policies. Against a national average of $1,776 per year, ZIP 98229 comes in 31% below, the 25th percentile among all tracked ZIPs. Against Washington's average of $1,384, ZIP 98229 is 12% below, ranking #366 of 511 tracked ZIPs in Washington by premium. The closest-priced peer within Washington is South Bend (ZIP 98586) at $1,222, essentially matching this ZIP's rate.

With a loss ratio of 44.6%, insurers retained a working margin after claims in ZIP 98229. About 3.57% of policyholders in this ZIP file a claim annually, and the average claim severity (amount paid per claim) is $15,275. Nonrenewal, insurers declining to extend coverage at policy expiration, occurs at 0.59% in this ZIP, a rise of 147.0% over the past five years; rising nonrenewal often signals insurer retreat from high-risk markets.

Over the 2018–2022 window, ZIP 98229 premiums risen 10.6%, spanning $1,106 to $1,223 (five-year average: $1,165), an annualized rate of +2.5% per year.

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 98229 Compares

vs National Average
$1,223 vs $1,776
31% below national avg
vs Washington Average
$1,223 vs $1,384
12% below state avg
National Percentile
25th percentile
More affordable than most ZIPs

Premium History

Average premium in ZIP 98229, 2018–2022

$1,100$1,150$1,200$1,250 20182019202020212022 $1,223
Average homeowners premium per year in ZIP 98229.
Year Avg Premium YoY Change
2018 $1,106 -
2019 $1,142 +3.3%
2020 $1,157 +1.4%
2021 $1,200 +3.7%
2022 $1,223 +1.9%

5-Year Trend Summary

5-Year Avg Premium
$1,165
Premium Range
$1,106 - $1,223
Annual Change Rate
+2.5% per year
Years of Data
5 (2018-2022)

What this means for ZIP 98229

Treat these figures as a starting benchmark, real quotes from carriers will vary.

  • Put ZIP 98229 side by side with nearby ZIPs to see where you'd pay less. Compare ZIPs
  • Washington's statewide premium and nonrenewal picture, compared to other states. Washington overview
  • Loss ratio explains a lot about this area's insurance market, here's how to read it. Loss ratio guide

FIO figures are ZIP-level market averages across the largest insurers (~80% of the market), not a quote for any single home. Request quotes from multiple licensed carriers before buying or renewing.

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 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 98229?
At the 25th percentile nationally, #366 of 511 ZIPs in Washington, ZIP 98229 (Bellingham, WA) pays a middle-of-the-pack $1,223 per year as of 2022 for homeowners insurance. Premiums have changed +10.6% over the past 5 years.
What affects homeowners insurance costs in Bellingham, WA?
Three figures shape homeowners insurance costs in ZIP 98229: claims frequency (3.57%), loss ratio (44.6%), and nonrenewal rate (0.59%), together placing this ZIP at the 25th national percentile for cost.
Is homeowners insurance expensive in ZIP 98229 compared to the national average?
ZIP 98229 premiums of $1,223/yr are 31% below the national average of $1,776/yr. This ZIP is in the 25th percentile nationally.
What is the nonrenewal rate in ZIP 98229?
The nonrenewal rate in ZIP 98229 is 0.59%, a rise of 147.0% over the past 5 years in Washington.
How have premiums trended in ZIP 98229 over 5 years?
Over 5 years (2018-2022), premiums in ZIP 98229 have ranged from $1,106 to $1,223, with a 5-year average of $1,165. The annualized change rate is +2.5% per year.
How does ZIP 98229 compare to the Washington state average?
ZIP 98229 runs 12% below the Washington state average ($1,384/yr vs this ZIP's $1,223/yr), ranking #366 of 511 tracked ZIPs in Washington by premium.

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.