Arizona residents have historically paid higher premiums for homeowners insurance than is paid in other states. Turbulent Arizona weather, including hail storms around the state and severe windstorms along the coastline, is a driving factor in determining rates for Arizona homeowners insurance.
Wind and hail losses account for 84 percent of the difference in premiums paid by Arizona residents and those paid by others around the U.S. The average wind and hail losses per policy are more than three-and-a-half times greater than those in the rest of the country. The average dollars of loss per policy in Arizona are almost 190 percent of those in the rest of the country. The average number of claims per policy is approximately twice those in the rest of the country.

UPDATE - What you should know when insuring your home!

One of the factors your insurance premium is based upon is how much it would cost to replace your home if it is destroyed. Replacement cost includes the cost of building materials and labor. A recent analysis of current building cost indexes indicates these costs are increasing and will likely have an impact on your homeowners insurance premium.While building costs are beyond your control, there are factors that you can control. Replacement cost also includes factors such as square footage, number of bedrooms, type of foundation, and other details unique to your home. Contact your insurance agent or company and make sure your home's replacement cost value is a true reflection of your home.Additionally, for new loans as of Jan. 1, 2004, mortgage lenders cannot require you, as a condition of financing your mortgage, to insure your home for more than the replacement value of the dwelling and its contents
[Arizona Insurance Code Article 21.48A Sec.2(g)]. This replacement value may not include the fair market value of the land upon which the dwelling is located.