Do you live in a cottage near Annapolis? A town house in Silver Spring? A suburb in Baltimore? A farm house in the Alleghenies? All of these scenarios represent very different Maryland lifestyles. But they're all bound by the same need for solid house insurance coverage at a reasonable price. So what is solid? And what is reasonable? We'll break down what an insurance policy should look like as well as show you what other residents are paying for their Maryland house insurance rates.

Maryland House Insurance Nuts and Bolts
For starters, you'll need the value of your house or condo, also called the Dwelling. This is not the market value or tax assessed value. And it doesn't include your land and foundation. It's the cost to rebuild your house using today's construction rates usually expressed as a cost per square foot.

Then you'll want to estimate the value of your Personal Property. It's a good idea to inventory everything and even videotape your possessions. Most policies start at a figure that is 50% of the dwelling's coverage.

Personal Liability covers you, your family and pet (some exclusions) cause unintentional injury to a someone on your property or cause damage to someone's property. Coverage typically starts at $100,000.

Medical Payments cover reasonable medical bills to someone injured on your property.

Additional Living Expenses pays for living outside your house should it become unlivable by one of the perils covered by your policy. Coverage is typically 20% of the dwelling's coverage amount.

Maryland House Insurance Special Considerations
Insurance policies do not include coverage for floods. This is a separate policy that averages about $500 a year. Low risk area policies can be purchased for as little as $122.

If you live on the coast in area like Annapolis, your policy may consist of an extra deductible for wind and hurricane damage. It's usually expressed as a percentage of the dwelling's coverage. For example, $100,000 dwelling coverage with a 2% hurricane deductible is $2,000. It can't exceed 5% unless the Insurance Commissioner gives special permission to the insurer.

Maryland insurers are required to offer you a separate water and sewer back-up endorsement.

Sample Maryland House Insurance Rates
In 2010, the Maryland Insurance Administration surveyed insurance companies for a variety of homeowner's scenarios across the state. Here's a sampling:

Western Maryland, Allegany County Scenario- $175,000 frame house, replacement cost property, $100,000 liability, $500 deductible, water and sewer endorsement.
Yearly rates ranged from $422 to $1,093.

Montgomery County, Derwood Condo Scenario- $125,000 replacement cost personal property, $300,000 liability, $500 deductible, $5,000 loss assessment coverage (covers condo common areas).
Yearly rates ranged from $139 to $677.

Annapolis Scenario- $400,000 frame dwelling coverage, replacement cost personal property, $300,00 liability, $1,000 deductible, water and sewer endorsement.
Yearly rates ranged from $723 to $2,669.

Catonsville (Baltimore County) Scenario- $300,000 masonry dwelling coverage, replacement cost personal property, $300,000 liability, $1,000 deductible, water and sewer endorsement.
Yearly rates ranged from $630 to $1,658.

Getting the Best Deal on Your Maryland House Insurance Rates
Insurance companies give discounts under certain conditions that can add up to reduce your Maryland house insurance rates by up to 50%. Some of those discounts are protective devices such as smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks, burglar/fire alarms, fire extinguishers, and sprinkler systems; discounts for new houses, seniors (55+), military, non-smokers, prepaying vs. monthly payments, payroll deduction, and new wiring or plumbing.

The biggest way to save on your rates is to comparison shop with a company like LocalInsurance. LocalInsurance searches your area to find the lowest rates from local agents. You can compare rates quickly and easily. It's free and could save you hundreds.

Maryland has a Department of Insurance which can help ensure that you have the appropriate coverage for your home and provide you with useful information when selecting a homeowners insurance policy.