Home Insurance in Gem County, Idaho
Homes in Gem County carry a median value of $428,700 - close to the Idaho median.
The typical home in Gem County was built around 1983. Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. About 21% of homes were built before 1960, about 4 points above Idaho's 17%.
Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy. The housing stock in Gem County is 82% single-family homes, 2% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 12% mobile or manufactured homes.
About 56% of owner-occupied homes in Gem County have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
The vacancy rate is 4%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 76% of occupied homes in Gem County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. 47% of homes in Gem County are primarily heated with electricity.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Gem County's top hazards are wildfire (Relatively Moderate), winter weather (Relatively Low) and earthquake (Very Low). Standard homeowners policies exclude earthquake, so separate coverage is usually needed.
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy. As of September 2026, Gem County has 28 active NFIP flood policies on file.
The statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Idaho is $1,135 per year, according to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $428,700 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1983 |
| Owner-occupied share | 76% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 56% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Wildfire (Relatively Moderate), Winter Weather (Relatively Low), Earthquake (Very Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 28 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,135 - statewide average (NAIC, 2023 data) |
Towns and cities
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau Gazetteer Files (2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates (2024)
- FEMA National Risk Index (December 2025)
- FEMA OpenFEMA NFIP Redacted Policies v3 (2026)
- NAIC Dwelling Fire, Homeowners Owner-Occupied, and Homeowners Tenant and Condominium/Cooperative Unit Owners Insurance: Data for 2023 (published 2026) (2023)