Home Insurance in Berkshire County, Massachusetts
The median home value in Berkshire County is $305,400, 46% lower than the Massachusetts median.
The typical home in Berkshire County was built around 1956. About 56% of homes were built before 1960, about 9 points above Massachusetts's 46%. Aging wiring, roofing and plumbing in older homes can push up the cost to insure or rebuild them.
In Berkshire County, the housing stock is 68% single-family homes, 13% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 1% mobile or manufactured homes. The rest are 2-4 unit or other housing types.
59% of owner-occupied homes in Berkshire County carry a mortgage, and mortgage lenders require hazard insurance for as long as the loan is active.
The vacancy rate is 18%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy. About 70% of occupied homes in Berkshire County are owner-occupied.
Homes heated with propane and fuel oil can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. 43% of homes in Berkshire County are primarily heated with natural gas.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Berkshire County's top hazards are inland flooding (Relatively Moderate), hurricane (Relatively Moderate) and strong wind (Relatively Moderate).
As of September 2026, Berkshire County has 529 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In Massachusetts, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $2,134 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $305,400 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1956 |
| Owner-occupied share | 70% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 59% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Inland Flooding (Relatively Moderate), Hurricane (Relatively Moderate), Strong Wind (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 529 |
| Home insurance premium | $2,134 - 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)