Mark Patrick has seen the cost of his homeowner’s insurance fluctuate — and not in a good way.
In the past six years, he has changed insurers three times. Before his last change, his premium had increased by roughly 40% though he hadn’t filed a single claim.
And he’s not alone. Hampton Roads homeowners faced premium increases averaging 33%, or $835 per year, from 2021 to ’24, according to the Consumer Federation of America. That reflects an average increase from $2,509 to $3,344 in those three years.
The nonprofit consumer advocacy organization found premiums increased in 95% of U.S. ZIP codes because of rising building costs, an increase in extreme weather events and climate change risk factors, and weak regulatory oversight.
The Virginian-Pilot and Daily Press asked readers to share their experiences.
Patrick lives in a three-story townhome-style condominium in Virginia Beach’s North End and said he proactively attempts to mitigate insurance increases. With the help of a broker, he shops coverage among the limited number of companies that will underwrite coverage along the coast.
His strategy has worked in that his premium is only 16% — or $436 — above what it was in 2020. But it took vigilance and effort.
“I think I’m at where I’m at, which isn’t absolutely awful, because I’ve really worked at it,” Patrick said. “I feel for people that don’t really take the time to try to shop it. I’m sure there’s people paying 40, 50, 60% more than what we’re paying now for similar coverage.”
Six years ago, Patrick was paying $2,655 with Universal Property and Casualty. The following year, his premium increased to $2,706. And by 2022, he was quoted $3,042 — an increase of 12.4% — before he switched to Narragansett Bay.
He was paying $2,501 with Narragansett, but in 2023, that increased by 10% to $2,739. A year later, Narragansett quoted Patrick $4,111 — a more than 50% jump — before they settled at a renewal of $3,799 — an increase of 38.7%.
“I just felt like, boy, this is where the market’s gone,” he said. “We just had to keep our fingers crossed that the following year wouldn’t be so bad.”
But then Patrick received a proposed 19% increase from Narragansett with a quote of $4,516. The Pilot reached out to Narragansett Bay’s media line, but the number routed to an agent instead. The company did not respond to emails sent to its media department, and Patrick’s independent agent said she was not permitted to speak with the media.
Patrick then chose to switch to SageSure in 2025. His premium was $3,506.
But just when Patrick thought he’d settled in with his insurance, he received a renewal quote from SageSure for 2026. “They proposed a renewal premium of $5,110 — a 46% increase,” Patrick said in a text message. “Needless to say, I am shopping this around again.”
And shop he did.
Thanks to his persistence, Patrick received a recent quote with similar coverage from Amwins: $3,091. That was roughly $2,000 less than SageSure’s and a year-to-year reduction of 12%. He took it.
Volpe Boykin, of the Carrsville area of Isle of Wight County, remains increasingly frustrated with the quotes he’s received throughout the years.
“These companies know most people must have their product and take full advantage of it,” he said.
It’s been about 19 years since he built the inland log/log-sided home about 20 miles west of Suffolk.
“I am the perfect type of homeowner to insure,” Boykin said. He bundles insurance for his vehicles and home for the discount and has security systems, cameras and fire alarms monitoring 24/7.
He started with Nationwide before switching to State Farm and then to Virginia Farm Bureau Insurance.
“I was told my homeowner’s insurance would be going up by 20%,” Boykin said. “But then it increased by over 100%.”
Despite carrying the highest deductible allowed and reporting no claims or changes to his living situation, Boykin said he never received “a straight answer” from Farm Bureau to justify the increase. In 2024, Boykin paid $2,148. In 2025, it more than doubled to $4,620.
“Even my insurance agent was shocked,” Boykin said.
The Pilot reached out to Virginia Farm Bureau. After an internal investigation, Shail Depura, vice president of product management for Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, said in an email that the amount was due to a miscalculation specific to his policy.
“We realize that Mr. Boykin has obtained replacement coverage,” Depura said. “However, if he would like to explore coverage with Virginia Farm Bureau, we would welcome the opportunity to requote him and serve his insurance needs.”
Following the exorbitant increase, Boykin switched back to State Farm. He pays $2,470 per year after all of his discounts — at least for now.
Sandra J. Pennecke, 757-652-5836, sandra.pennecke@pilotonline.com
