An unbiased look at the carriers Minnesota homeowners most often compare — and how they actually stack up on the two things that matter most after a Minnesota hailstorm: roof settlement and the wind/hail deductible.
How we evaluate Minnesota home insurance companies
In other states, "best home insurance company" usually means the cheapest premium with a reasonable brand. In Minnesota, that's a trap. The state averages 10–15 severe hailstorms a year, and roof claims account for the majority of homeowner losses. The difference between two carriers isn't really the premium — it's how much of your roof they pay for after a hailstorm, and what your wind/hail deductible costs you out of pocket.
For each carrier below we focus on four things:
Roof settlement basis — replacement cost, ACV, or a roof age schedule
Wind/hail deductible structure — flat dollar vs. percentage of dwelling
Things to watch — where the fine print quietly matters
The top home insurance carriers in Minnesota
The following carriers consistently write the most Minnesota home insurance policies and show up most often in homeowner comparisons. Specific terms vary by underwriting year, county, and home characteristics — your declarations page is the source of truth.
State Farm
National mutual · largest MN market share
Roof settlement
Typically replacement cost on roofs <10 yrs; ACV or roof age schedule increasingly common after 10–15 yrs.
Wind & hail deductible
Flat or 1% wind/hail deductible most common; percentage options in hail-prone counties.
Strengths
Largest agent footprint in MN, fast local claim adjusting, strong bundling discounts with auto.
Watch for
Roof settlement terms have tightened in recent renewals — confirm RC vs. ACV at every renewal.
American Family
Wisconsin-based mutual · top 3 in MN
Roof settlement
Roof age schedule on many newer policies; full RC available with endorsement on qualifying roofs.
Wind & hail deductible
1%–2% wind/hail deductible standard in metro and southern MN; flat options sometimes available.
Strengths
Deep Upper-Midwest hail experience, strong claim infrastructure, competitive bundled pricing.
Watch for
Roof schedules vary by region and roof age — review the declarations page line by line.
Auto-Owners
Michigan-based mutual · independent-agent only
Roof settlement
Generally retains true replacement cost roof settlement longer than national peers.
Wind & hail deductible
Typically flat or 1% wind/hail; competitive in central and northern MN.
Strengths
Strong financials, broad endorsement menu, well-regarded claims handling.
Watch for
Only available through independent agents — pricing and availability vary by agency.
Travelers
National · widely available through independent agents
Roof settlement
Roof age schedule on many MN policies; ACV after a defined age threshold is common.
Competitive on newer construction and brick/stucco homes; strong digital tools.
Watch for
Settlement schedules can reduce payouts on older roofs — model the math before binding.
AAA (Auto Club Group)
Regional · membership-based
Roof settlement
RC common on newer roofs; ACV/schedule possible on older ones — varies by underwriting year.
Wind & hail deductible
Typically 1% wind/hail in metro counties; flat options in lower-risk zip codes.
Strengths
Member benefits, bundling with auto, accessible Minnesota service centers.
Watch for
Requires AAA membership; availability and pricing vary by region.
Allstate
National · captive-agent
Roof settlement
Roof age schedule and ACV common in MN; full RC requires specific endorsement on many policies.
Wind & hail deductible
Percentage wind/hail deductibles common, especially in hail-belt counties.
Strengths
Strong digital experience, well-known brand, broad endorsement options.
Watch for
Read roof settlement language carefully — perceived premium savings often come from schedules.
Minnesota mutuals (North Star, Western National, Grinnell Mutual, others)
Regional mutuals · independent-agent
Roof settlement
Often retain true replacement cost longer; underwriting tailored to Minnesota housing stock.
Wind & hail deductible
Flat or 1% wind/hail typical; some carriers competitive in rural and lake-area markets.
Strengths
Local underwriting, regional claim experience, strong on farm/acreage and lake homes.
Watch for
Availability varies by agency; not every mutual writes every Minnesota zip code.
The questions to ask any Minnesota carrier
Is my roof settled at replacement cost, ACV, or on a roof age schedule?
At what roof age does the settlement basis change?
Is my wind/hail deductible a flat dollar amount or a percentage of dwelling?
What does the wind/hail deductible equal in dollars on my current policy?
Are water backup, service line, and ordinance/law endorsements included?
How is my dwelling limit calculated, and when was it last reviewed?
How to actually choose
The "best" carrier in Minnesota isn't a brand — it's the policy whose roof settlement, deductible structure, and endorsements match your home and your risk tolerance. The fastest way to compare apples-to-apples is to run your current declarations page side by side with two or three quotes and use our roof settlement calculator and wind & hail deductible calculator to model real-world claim outcomes.
Request a personalized Minnesota insurance review.
Share a few details about your home and current coverage. A licensed Minnesota insurance professional will compare options and walk you through what we find.