If you're buying a home in Clearfield, Utah, you've probably noticed something unusual: your insurance quote is lower than you expected. That's not a mistake. Clearfield consistently ranks among the most affordable places in Utah for homeowners insurance, with average premiums around $735 per year—nearly half the state average. But before you celebrate those savings, there's something you need to know about living this close to the Wasatch Fault.
Clearfield sits in Davis County, just minutes from Hill Air Force Base, which shapes everything from your neighborhood demographics to your insurance options. About a quarter of the population here has military ties, which opens doors to specialized insurance programs most civilians don't know exist. But the real insurance conversation in Clearfield isn't about your base premium—it's about what's not included.
Why Clearfield Home Insurance Costs Less Than You Think
Most people assume insurance costs track with home prices, but Clearfield breaks that pattern. Even as home values jumped 28% to a median of $428,000 in early 2025, insurance premiums stayed remarkably stable. The reason? Risk factors that insurance companies actually care about—fire danger, crime rates, weather severity—remain low in this area.
Davis County's proximity to Hill Air Force Base also plays a role. Insurance companies see military communities as lower-risk: residents tend to maintain their properties well, turnover creates regular home inspections, and the economic stability of a major military installation nearby reduces certain types of claims. If you're active duty, retired military, or a veteran, you've got additional leverage. USAA, Navy Federal, and several other insurers offer military discounts that can knock another 10-15% off your premium.
Here's what actually moves the needle on your premium in Clearfield: the age and condition of your home. The city has a mix of affordable starter homes and newer construction, and that age gap matters. A 1970s rambler with original wiring and plumbing will cost more to insure than a 2020 build with updated systems. Insurers worry about old electrical panels causing fires and aging pipes bursting—both expensive claims they'd rather avoid.
The Earthquake Question Everyone Avoids
Let's address what your real estate agent probably glossed over: Clearfield sits in an active earthquake zone. The Wasatch Fault runs right through the region, and seismologists put the odds of a magnitude 6.75 or greater earthquake at 43% within the next 50 years. That's not a distant, theoretical risk—it's a coin flip over the life of a typical mortgage.
Your standard homeowners policy covers fire, theft, wind, hail—the usual suspects. Earthquake damage? Not covered. Not even a little bit. If the Wasatch Fault produces a major quake and your home sustains structural damage, you're looking at out-of-pocket repairs unless you've added earthquake coverage.
Earthquake insurance in Utah typically doubles your premium. So that $735 annual policy becomes $1,470. It also comes with high deductibles—usually 10-20% of your dwelling coverage. On a $400,000 home, a 10% deductible means you're covering the first $40,000 of damage yourself. That math makes some people skip the coverage entirely, which is a gamble. Others buy it for catastrophic protection, accepting they'll pay for minor damage but won't lose their home to a major event.
There's no universal right answer here. If you're stretched financially to afford your mortgage, adding another $700+ to your annual insurance bill might not be realistic. But if you can swing it and you're planning to stay in Clearfield long-term, earthquake coverage becomes more compelling with each year that passes without a major seismic event. The fault doesn't forget—it's building stress.
What Military Families Need to Know
Hill Air Force Base isn't just a landmark in Clearfield—it's an economic engine that shapes the entire housing market. For military families, that creates both opportunities and challenges when it comes to insurance.
If you're active duty or a veteran, start with USAA. Their rates in Utah consistently undercut competitors, and their claims process is built around the realities of military life—deployments, PCS moves, extended absences. Navy Federal also writes homeowners policies and offers competitive rates for service members. Beyond the military-specific insurers, companies like State Farm and Farmers offer military discounts, but you have to ask. They won't volunteer it.
One insurance wrinkle for military families: vacancy. If you get orders and your home sits empty for 30-60 days (depending on your policy), your coverage may lapse or exclude certain claims. Most insurers consider a vacant home higher risk. The solution is a vacant home endorsement or landlord policy if you're renting it out during your assignment. This isn't optional—it's the difference between a covered claim and a five-figure surprise.
Coverage Amounts: Don't Anchor to Your Purchase Price
Here's a mistake first-time homebuyers make constantly: they set their dwelling coverage to match their purchase price. That's wrong. Your dwelling coverage should reflect the cost to rebuild your home, not what you paid for it. In Clearfield, where land is relatively affordable and construction costs have spiked, those numbers can diverge significantly.
A $400,000 home in Clearfield might include $100,000 in land value. Your insurance only cares about the structure. But if construction costs are running $200 per square foot and your home is 2,000 square feet, you need $400,000 in dwelling coverage even though your house sits on land worth less. Most insurers will help you calculate this—they use replacement cost estimators that factor in local labor rates and materials costs.
With home prices jumping 28% in a single year, this is something you need to revisit annually. Your policy doesn't automatically adjust for inflation or market changes. Some insurers offer inflation guard endorsements that bump your coverage by 2-4% per year, but with the rapid appreciation Clearfield has seen, that might not keep pace. Set a calendar reminder for your renewal and actually review your coverage limits.
Getting the Best Rate: What Actually Works
Shopping for home insurance is tedious, but it matters. Davis County homeowners who compare quotes save an average of $199 per year—not a trivial amount. You'll want at least three quotes, and make sure you're comparing identical coverage. A cheap policy with a $5,000 deductible and minimal liability coverage isn't cheaper—it's just less protection.
Bundling home and auto insurance with the same company usually unlocks a 15-25% discount. If you've got multiple cars or teen drivers, that discount compounds quickly. Security systems, smoke detectors, and deadbolt locks can shave another 5-10% off. Some insurers offer discounts for newer roofs, updated electrical panels, or homes built to certain code standards. If you've made improvements, tell your insurer—they won't discover it on their own.
One counterintuitive tip: increasing your deductible from $500 to $1,000 or $2,500 can cut your premium by 20-30%. The trade-off is obvious—you're self-insuring smaller claims. But if you've got an emergency fund and you're only filing claims for major damage anyway, a higher deductible makes financial sense. Insurance exists to protect you from catastrophic loss, not to replace a broken window.
Clearfield offers something rare: affordable housing in a strong community with mountain views and military stability. Your home insurance should protect that investment without breaking your budget. Start with quotes from at least three insurers, seriously consider earthquake coverage given the seismic reality, and review your policy every year. The few hours you spend on this now could save you thousands—or protect your home when it matters most.
