Home Insurance in Bay County, Michigan
The median home value in Bay County is $152,200, 34% lower than the Michigan median.
The typical home in Bay County was built around 1963. About 47% of homes were built before 1960, about 11 points above Michigan's 36%. Older homes can cost more to insure or rebuild because of aging wiring, roofing and plumbing.
Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy. The housing stock in Bay County is 80% single-family homes, 10% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 5% mobile or manufactured homes.
In Bay County, about 52% of owner-occupied homes have a mortgage - lenders require hazard insurance on every mortgaged home.
About 77% of occupied homes in Bay County are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 7%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
Homes heated with propane can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. 78% of homes in Bay County are primarily heated with natural gas.
Per FEMA's National Risk Index, Bay County's top hazards are winter weather (Relatively High), strong wind (Relatively High) and tornado (Relatively Moderate).
Bay County had 436 active National Flood Insurance Program policies as of September 2026. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
In Michigan, the statewide average premium for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is $1,110 per year (NAIC, 2023 data).
Key figures
| Median home value | $152,200 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1963 |
| Owner-occupied share | 77% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 52% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Winter Weather (Relatively High), Strong Wind (Relatively High), Tornado (Relatively Moderate) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 436 |
| Home insurance premium | $1,110 - 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)