---
title: "Hippo Insurance Review [Updated 2026]"
description: "Hippo Insurance is a modern insurtech company that offers homeowners insurance through its owned carrier Spinnaker Insurance Company and other partners. Founded in 2015, Hippo provides coverage in 37+ states with a technology-first approach, free smart home devices, and a 60-second quote process."
canonical: "https://www.coveragecat.com/reviews/hippo"
last-updated: "2026-08-13"
---

# Hippo Insurance Review [Updated 2026]

1. [Introduction to Hippo Insurance](#introduction)
2. [What Kinds of Insurance Does Hippo Offer?](#typesofinsurance)
3. [Does Hippo Sell Homeowners Insurance?](#homeowners)
4. [Does Hippo Sell Auto Insurance?](#auto)
5. [How Does Hippo Insurance Work?](#howdoesitwork)
6. [Pricing and Payment Options](#pricing)
7. [Pros and Cons of Hippo Insurance](#proscons)
8. [Ratings and Customer Feedback](#ratings)
9. [Get Customer Support Or File A Claim](#customersupport)
10. [Frequently Asked Questions](#faq)

## <a id="introduction"></a>Introduction to Hippo Insurance

Assaf Wand and Eyal Navon founded Hippo Insurance in 2015, launching policies two years later. Wand, a former Intel Capital investor and McKinsey consultant with experience in technology and venture capital, drew inspiration from his father's lengthy career in what he called an "antiquated" insurance industry [(Wikipedia, "Hippo (company)", 2026)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippo_(company)). Headquartered in Palo Alto, California, the company trades publicly on the New York Stock Exchange under ticker symbol HIPO.

Hippo represents a modern approach to [homeowners insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/homeowners-insurance). The company raised $14 million initially to reinvent home insurance, entering the marketplace in April 2017. Traditional home insurance was outdated, the founders believed. It needed a complete overhaul for the digital age.

In September 2020, a significant milestone arrived. Hippo acquired Spinnaker Insurance Company, a national property and casualty insurer licensed in all 50 states. A.M. Best Company rates Spinnaker A- (Excellent). At the time of acquisition, Spinnaker-backed Hippo products were available in more than 18 states.

The company went public through a SPAC merger with Reinvent Technology Partners in August 2021 [Ibid.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippo_(company)). Hippo Insurance Services helps compare quotes from 70+ top carriers. The company operates as a managing general agent (MGA), managing the customer experience while Spinnaker Insurance Company and other carrier partners underwrite the policies.

## <a id="typesofinsurance"></a>What Kinds of Insurance Does Hippo Offer?

Hippo focuses exclusively on property insurance for residential customers. The product lineup includes homeowners insurance, landlord insurance, wind insurance, condo insurance, earthquake insurance, and flood insurance.

Coverage extends to most states. Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Hawaii remain outside Hippo's operating territory.

The company takes a technology-forward approach. Since 2015, Hippo's philosophy emphasizes being proactive through smart home technology and regular maintenance while offering extensive coverage options. They don't offer other common insurance products like auto coverage. All their dedication goes into homeowners insurance.

## <a id="homeowners"></a>Does Hippo Sell Homeowners Insurance?

Yes. [Homeowners insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/homeowners-insurance) is Hippo's primary product. The company offers homeowners, condo insurance, landlord policies, and new home (under construction) insurance.

Most new customers can't currently buy Hippo's own home insurance policies directly through its website. The company can match you with one of its third-party insurance partners instead. Hippo Insurance temporarily paused writing new policies under its Hippo Home Insurance Program (HHIP) following substantial weather-related losses in Q2 2023. Strategic changes followed: policy nonrenewals, commission structure modifications for agents in certain regions, and increased deductibles in select states.

However, modest growth emerged in Q1 2024. Hippo has selectively resumed HHIP business since then. The company is relaunching a retooled homeowners product through strategic partnerships [(Yahoo Finance, "Hippo Holdings (HIPO) Achieves 2025 Financial Turnaround with $58M Net Income", 2026)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hippo-holdings-hipo-achieves-2025-222323668.html).

### Coverage Details

Hippo offers HO3 policies, which provide broad protection for homes. Standard Hippo packages include liability, homeowners, personal property, and loss of use coverage—but that's just the beginning. Home office and computer coverage, backup water coverage, protection for local ordinance changes, and coverage for workers in your home come included too.

The company works with outside insurance partners to offer higher-than-usual limits. Things like home office equipment, computers and electronics, and service line connections to your home receive expanded protection.

## <a id="auto"></a>Does Hippo Sell Auto Insurance?

No. Hippo doesn't offer auto insurance policies. The company maintains an exclusive focus on residential property insurance products. Customers needing [auto insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/car-insurance) must obtain coverage from other carriers.

Motorcycle insurance isn't available either, despite the company's property coverage specialization.

## <a id="howdoesitwork"></a>How Does Hippo Insurance Work?

Hippo operates as a managing general agent (MGA). The company manages the customer-facing experience, but insurance carriers underwrite the policies. As an MGA, Hippo handles sales and marketing, underwriting, policy issuance and administration, and claims administration. The company earns recurring commissions and fees from policies sold. Meanwhile, a diversified panel of highly rated insurance and reinsurance companies assumes the bulk of the risk.

According to Hippo's official company information, "Hippo Analytics Inc. d/b/a Hippo Insurance Services is an insurance agency licensed in 50 states" that "sells property and casualty lines of insurance for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance carriers" [(Hippo Insurance, "About", 2026)](https://www.hippo.com/about).

### Quote Process

Hippo developed a streamlined questionnaire. Customers can obtain a quote in under 60 seconds and a policy in 4 minutes. The entire process happens online or through the Hippo mobile app. No lengthy phone calls with agents required.

### Smart Home Technology

Integration of smart home technology distinguishes Hippo from competitors. Policies include smart home monitoring systems designed to protect homes and prevent claims before they happen. Devices help prevent water damage, fires, and break-ins. The company has distributed hundreds of thousands of smart home sensors to customers.

Every Hippo home insurance policy comes standard with smart home sensors. Water sensors, smoke detectors, entry sensors, and a security camera arrive when you become a policyholder. This proactive approach aims to stop damage and danger from becoming future claims.

Hippo partners with SimpliSafe, Kangaroo, and Notion to provide the smart devices.

Data from smart home devices reports back to the policyholder, not Hippo. The only information Hippo receives concerns whether the smart home kit is active. This ensures policyholders maintain their smart home discount year after year.

### Underwriting Partners

Insurance giants including Spinnaker, TOPA, and Swiss Re underwrite Hippo's policies. A.M. Best Company rates Spinnaker Insurance Company A-.

A.M. Best affirmed Spinnaker Insurance Company's Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "a-" (Excellent) in January 2026, extending these ratings to Spinnaker's subsidiaries [(AM Best, "AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Members of Spinnaker Insurance...", 2026)](https://news.ambest.com/newscontent.aspx?refnum=272240&altsrc=23). The ratings acknowledge financial and operational support Spinnaker has received from parent company Hippo Holdings Inc. since the 2020 acquisition.

## <a id="pricing"></a>Pricing and Payment Options

Hippo home insurance costs less than many competitors. Policies average $1,761 per year, making Hippo insurance quotes 17% cheaper than competitors. The tech-driven approach reduces operational costs, contributing to competitive rates. Modern data analytics in the underwriting process may enable more tailored pricing.

Average costs vary significantly by state and individual circumstances. The average cost of homeowners insurance in the U.S. continues rising each year. Homeowners paid about $830 in 2008 versus today's national average of $2,377.

### Factors Affecting Rates

Home insurance costs depend heavily on several factors. The state you live in matters. Natural disaster risk matters. The amount of coverage you select matters. Older homes typically cost more to insure because they cost more to replace than newer ones. Old wooden floors, trims, and moldings typically require more time and specialized knowledge to be replaced.

### Payment Options

Hippo offers standard payment options for homeowners insurance. Specific details about payment plans and discounts for paying annually vary by policy and state. Customers can manage their policies through the Hippo Home app.

## <a id="proscons"></a>Pros and Cons of Hippo Insurance

<div class="grid">
  <div class="column">
    <p><b>Pros</b></p>
    <ul>
      <li>Fast 60-second quote process entirely online</li>
      <li>Free smart home devices included with policies</li>
      <li>Higher coverage limits for computers, home office equipment, and electronics</li>
      <li>24/7 claims support available</li>
      <li>Policies backed by A- rated carriers like Spinnaker</li>
      <li>Competitive pricing compared to traditional insurers</li>
      <li>Modern coverage for appliances and service lines included</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
  <div class="column">
    <p><b>Cons</b></p>
    <ul>
      <li>Not available in 13 states</li>
      <li>No auto insurance or other product lines to bundle</li>
      <li>Temporarily paused writing new HHIP policies in 2023</li>
      <li>Limited availability in some areas where coverage is offered</li>
      <li>Higher than average complaint ratios for underwriter Spinnaker</li>
      <li>Customer experience may vary depending on which underwriter backs your policy</li>
      <li>Not rated directly by AM Best (relies on underwriter ratings)</li>
    </ul>
  </div>
</div>

## <a id="ratings"></a>Ratings and Customer Feedback

### Third-Party Ratings

| Source | Rating | Notes |
|--------|--------|-------|
| **AM Best (Spinnaker)** | A- (Excellent) | Financial strength rating for primary underwriter, affirmed January 2026 |
| **Trustpilot** | 2.1/5 stars | Based on customer reviews |
| **Better Business Bureau** | A- rating, 2.66/5 stars | Not BBB Accredited, 136 complaints in 3 years |

Trustpilot users gave Hippo a rating of 2.1 out of 5 stars according to recent aggregated data [(Coverage Cat, "Hippo Insurance Review", 2025)](https://www.coveragecat.com/reviews/hippo). The Better Business Bureau shows Hippo is not BBB Accredited but has an A- rating, with an average customer rating of 2.66 out of 5. The company has received 136 customer complaints over the past three years according to BBB records [(Better Business Bureau, "Hippo Insurance Services", 2026)](https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/san-jose/profile/insurance-companies/hippo-insurance-services-1216-901822).

Hippo doesn't have its own independent score, but its reinsurers and insurance partners received an A- rating from A.M. Best [(Hippo Insurance, "Q: What is your financial rating?", 2026)](https://faq.hippo.com/en/articles/4734314-q-what-is-your-financial-rating).

### Financial Performance

Hippo achieved a significant financial turnaround in 2025. The company reported total net income of $58 million ($2.22 per diluted share), representing a $98 million improvement year-over-year [(Yahoo Finance, "Hippo Holdings (HIPO) Achieves 2025 Financial Turnaround with $58M Net Income", 2026)](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/hippo-holdings-hipo-achieves-2025-222323668.html). A 24% increase in Gross Written Premium drove the financial turnaround.

For the fourth quarter of 2025, the company's combined ratio improved to 113.1 versus 137.8 in Q4 2024, with no meaningful catastrophe losses compared to $4.8 million in the prior year period [(Insurance Journal, "Insurtech Hippo Full-Year Net Income Reverses 2024 Loss", 2026)](https://www.insurancejournal.com/news/national/2026/02/25/859559.htm). Net written premium for Q4 2025 was $97.2 million, up 23% from Q4 2024.

| Financial Metric | Q4 2025 | Q4 2024 | Change |
|-----------------|---------|---------|---------|
| Net Written Premium | $97.2M | $79.0M | +23% |
| Combined Ratio | 113.1 | 137.8 | -24.7 points |
| Catastrophe Losses | Minimal | $4.8M | Significant improvement |
| Full Year Net Income | $58M | -$40M | +$98M improvement |

### NAIC Complaint Data

Because Hippo doesn't underwrite its home insurance, no NAIC Complaint Index is available for the company. However, the NAIC does assign complaint indexes for Spinnaker, one of Hippo's largest underwriting partners. Spinnaker's complaint index climbed rapidly from 2021 to 2023.

Spinnaker Insurance had the second-worst complaint index for home insurance at 4.45, with 115 complaints according to a 2025 report analyzing 2024 NAIC data.

### Customer Satisfaction

Hippo receives a below-average number of customer complaints. From 2019 to 2021, Hippo received about 50% fewer complaints than other home insurance providers, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners National Complaint Index Report.

Different patterns emerge for the underwriters. Spinnaker receives an average number of customer complaints for an insurer of its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. In contrast, Topa receives 40 times as many complaints based on its size. The majority of complaints against Topa stem from delays in the claims process and unsatisfactory settlement offers.

### Real Customer Reviews

<div class="grid customer-review">
  <div class="column">
    <p>5 ★</p>
    <p><b>Milan</b></p>
    <p><a href="https://www.hippo.com/reviews"><span class="text-muted">via Hippo Website</span></a></p>
  </div>
  <div class="column">
    <p>Super easy to set up our homeowners insurance with Hippo. Switched from another well known insurer after they continued to have significant increases each year. We are saving a good deal of money with Hippo and the coverage is so much better as well. Glad we found Hippo on the internet and checked them out!</p>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="grid customer-review">
  <div class="column">
    <img src="/cms/images/uploads/img_B0C4EFD762B42FFBC_4stars.avif">
    <p><b>escape30now, 2020</b></p>
    <p><a href="https://old.reddit.com/r/homeowners/comments/euoqcf/hippo_insurance_experiences/"><span class="text-muted">via Reddit</span></a></p>
  </div>
  <div class="column">
    <p>I've had Hippo Homeowners Insurance for about a year now. Never had to use my homeowners insurance in the past 10 years until this week after a big storm came through. Currently have a claim submitted to Hippo. They had a desk adjuster assigned to my claim within 24hrs and sent out an independent adjuster within 48hrs. Hippo came back with a pretty fair estimate the first time around.</p>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="grid customer-review">
  <div class="column">
    <p>1 ★</p>
    <p><b>Loretta S., 2025</b></p>
    <p><a href="https://www.bbb.org/us/ca/palo-alto/profile/insurance-companies/hippo-insurance-services-1216-901822/customer-reviews"><span class="text-muted">via Better Business Bureau</span></a></p>
  </div>
  <div class="column">
    <p>I have been with Hippo home insurance for going on 4 yrs each year my premiums have went up considerably to them being more than doubled when I first signed up. My deductible have also increased. In the 2nd year they suddenly decided wind and hail has its own deductible so its $4300 well in my area wind and hail is what will happen.</p>
  </div>
</div>

<div class="grid customer-review">
  <div class="column">
    <p>1 ★</p>
    <p><b>Hugh G. Dildeaux, 2024</b></p>
    <p><a href="https://www.trustpilot.com/review/hippo.com"><span class="text-muted">via Trustpilot</span></a></p>
  </div>
  <div class="column">
    <p>Had our property insured with Hippo for several years, until we had to make two claims short time apart. Not only did we get ditched by Hippo as soon as they had to pony up for a change, one of their agents "helped" us migrate to a completely wrong third party policy. It's been over 6 months and we're still trying to untangle this mess.</p>
  </div>
</div>

## <a id="customersupport"></a>Get Customer Support Or File A Claim

### Customer Service Hours

Hippo customer service operates Monday to Friday from 7:00 AM to 8:00 PM CST. Saturday hours run from 7:00 AM to 6:00 PM CST. The company closes on Sundays. Customer support is available 24/7 via phone at (800) 585-0705 or email at [email protected] [(Money.com, "Hippo Homeowners Insurance Review", 2024)](https://money.com/hippo-homeowners-insurance-review/).

**Customer Service Phone:** (800) 585-0705

### Filing a Claim

Claims support is available 24/7. Filing a home insurance claim with Hippo happens by calling 1-855-999-9746 or 1-800-886-0318. You'll be paired with one of Hippo's dedicated claims concierges to walk you through the process [(Hippo Insurance, "Claims", 2026)](https://www.hippo.com/claim).

**Claims Phone:** (855) 999-9746 or (800) 886-0318 

Hippo reports its average response time for claims is five to seven days, or between 30 to 50 percent faster than competitors. This measures response time, not payout time frame. The time to receive a payout usually ranges from several weeks to several months, according to Hippo's website.

You can also file claims through:
- The Hippo Home app
- [The Hippo claims portal](https://myhippo.com/account/login)

Note that claims cannot be submitted online according to some sources and must be initiated by phone [(Money.com, "Hippo Homeowners Insurance Review", 2024)](https://money.com/hippo-homeowners-insurance-review/).

## <a id="faq"></a>Frequently Asked Questions

### Is Hippo Insurance a Real Insurance Company?

Yes. Hippo Insurance is a legitimate, publicly traded insurance company (NYSE: HIPO). However, Hippo operates as a managing general agent. Spinnaker Insurance Company and other carrier partners underwrite the policies.

### How Does Hippo Insurance Make Money?

Hippo sells property and casualty lines of insurance for affiliated and non-affiliated insurance carriers and other underwriting entities. Insurers provide compensation in the form of a base commission, normally based on a predetermined percentage of the premium.

### Is Hippo Good Insurance?

Hippo Insurance offers competitive pricing and modern technology features, but customer satisfaction data presents a mixed picture. Trustpilot ratings average 2.1 out of 5 stars, and aggregate reviews across platforms show an overall rating of 2.0 out of 5 based on 631 reviews [(AM Best, "January 2026 Edition – Best's Review", 2026)](https://bestsreview.ambest.com/pdf/br0126.pdf) and [(NAIC, "Consumer Complaint Index 2024", 2024)](https://www.naic.org/consumer_complaint_index.htm). The underwriter Spinnaker maintains an A- financial strength rating from AM Best but had the second-worst NAIC complaint index (4.45) for homeowners insurance in 2024. Whether Hippo represents good insurance depends on individual needs, priorities, and state availability.

### Should I Buy Hippo Insurance?

Hippo may be a good choice if you:
- Want a fast, digital-first insurance buying experience
- Value smart home technology and prevention
- Need coverage for home office equipment and electronics
- Live in one of the 37+ states where Hippo operates
- Prefer managing your policy through a mobile app

However, Hippo may not be ideal if you:
- Want to bundle home and auto insurance
- Need coverage in a state where Hippo doesn't operate
- Prefer working with a local insurance agent
- Have concerns about the company's operational changes in 2023
- Prioritize carriers with the lowest customer complaint ratios

### What States Does Hippo Operate In?

Hippo is available as a brokerage in most states. The company doesn't operate in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Iowa, Oklahoma, Louisiana, New York, North Carolina, Massachusetts, Alaska, and Hawaii.

### Does Hippo Offer Umbrella Insurance?

Hippo mentions extra liability protection beyond home and auto, but specific [umbrella insurance](https://www.coveragecat.com/insurance-types/umbrella-insurance) details aren't clearly outlined on their website. Customers interested in umbrella coverage should contact Hippo directly or work with an independent broker like Coverage Cat.

### Is Hippo Worth the Price?

Hippo home insurance costs less than many competitors. Policies average $1,761 per year, making Hippo insurance quotes 17% cheaper than competitors. However, pricing varies by location, coverage needs, and individual circumstances.

The value proposition depends on your priorities. Technology integration, fast digital service, and proactive home protection make Hippo a solid value proposition for some customers. However, customers should be aware of the company's 2023 operational changes and should compare quotes from multiple carriers.