Home Insurance in Clare County, Michigan
The median home value in Clare County is $133,800, 42% lower than the Michigan median.
Because older housing stock often has aging wiring, roofing or plumbing, it can cost more to insure or rebuild. The typical home in Clare County was built around 1976. About 22% of homes were built before 1960, about 13 points below Michigan's 36%.
In Clare County, the housing stock is 79% single-family homes, 3% apartments in buildings with 5+ units and 16% mobile or manufactured homes. Mobile and manufactured homes typically need a manufactured-home (HO-7) policy rather than a standard homeowners policy.
About 46% of owner-occupied homes in Clare County have a mortgage. Lenders require hazard (homeowners) insurance on any home carrying a mortgage.
About 87% of occupied homes in Clare County are owner-occupied. The vacancy rate is 43%; vacant or unoccupied homes typically need a different coverage form than an owner-occupied policy.
Homes heated with propane and wood can carry added fire risk. Fuel-tank leaks and spills are often excluded from standard homeowners policies. In Clare County, 38% of homes are primarily heated with propane.
The top hazards for Clare County, per FEMA's National Risk Index, are strong wind (Relatively High), winter weather (Relatively High) and hail (Relatively Low).
As of September 2026, Clare County has 39 active NFIP flood insurance policies. Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage, so flood coverage needs a separate NFIP or private flood policy.
According to the NAIC homeowners insurance report (2023 data), a standard HO-3 homeowners policy in Michigan carries a statewide average premium of $1,110 per year.
Key figures
| Median home value | $133,800 |
|---|---|
| Median year built | 1976 |
| Owner-occupied share | 87% |
| Share of owner-occupied homes with a mortgage | 46% |
| Top hazards (FEMA National Risk Index) | Strong Wind (Relatively High), Winter Weather (Relatively High), Hail (Relatively Low) |
| Active NFIP flood policies (county) | 39 |
| 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)