Compare Home Insurance Quotes (2024)

Comparing home insurance quotes is the key to securing the right coverage at a cost-effective rate. On average, across the U.S., home insurance costs about $2,614 per year or approximately $218 monthly, but this can vary significantly depending on provider, home age and condition, location, coverage limits, deductible and more.

While price is a significant factor, finding a provider who can balance affordability with great service and financial stability to quickly pay claims is just as important. By comparing quotes, you’ll better understand the market, compare policies and select one that meets your financial and insurance needs.

• Compare Home Insurance Quotes by Dwelling Coverage
• Compare Home Insurance Quotes by Deductible
• Compare Home Insurance Quotes by Provider
• Compare Home Insurance Quotes by State
• Compare Home Insurance Rates by ZIP Code
• Compare Home Insurance Rates by Credit Score
• How to Compare Home Insurance Quotes
• Factors That Affect Your Home Insurance Quotes
• Frequently Asked Questions

Dwelling coverage primarily focuses on the cost of repairing or rebuilding your home in the event of damage. As the coverage amount increases, so does the premium. For instance, a policy with $100K in dwelling coverage costs an average of $1,518 annually, but for a policy with $1 million in coverage, the annual premium jumps to $7,947. However, it’s still possible to find cheap home insurance by shopping around — for example, State Farm consistently ranks as the most affordable provider across all dwelling coverage levels.

When you file an insurance claim, your deductible is the amount you pay out of pocket before your home insurance takes over. When you compare home insurance quotes, keep your deductible in mind — the higher it is, the lower your monthly premium and vice versa — and selecting a higher deductible means more out-of-pocket costs when you file a claim. A policy with $250K in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible costs an average of $2,614 per year, while the same policy with a $2,000 deductible costs $2,334 per year.

Use the table below to see how premiums change by deductible for varying coverage levels.

Premiums for home insurance vary between providers since each one calculates premiums differently. For instance, State Farm is the cheapest provider for $100K in dwelling coverage, charging an average of $1,895 per year — this is $3,822 cheaper than Travelers, the most expensive provider of the national insurers MoneyGeek reviewed.

Use the table below to see how rates can change between providers based on coverage amounts.

Where you reside plays a pivotal role in determining your home insurance rates. For instance, a policy with $250K in dwelling coverage in Florida costs an average of $7,527 per year, while in Oregon, the same policy costs $1,002 annually. With diverse climates, natural disaster risks and local regulations, each state presents its unique challenges and benefits when it comes to insuring your home.

Use the table below as a starting point to compare home insurance quotes by state and to equip yourself with the knowledge to secure the best coverage for your unique needs.

Different states have varying risks, such as natural disasters, replacement costs and crime rates. For instance, living in a state prone to hurricanes might mean higher insurance premiums due to the increased risk of property damage. In Louisiana, one of the most hurricane-prone states, home insurance costs an average of $3,169 annually — $1,359 more than the national average.

On the other hand, a state with lower crime rates might offer more favorable rates. For instance, home insurance in New Hampshire costs an average of $1,021 per year. Understanding these state-specific factors is essential, as they directly influence the cost of insuring your home.

Home insurance rates vary by ZIP code as well as by state. Take Ohio, for instance: the annual premium in ZIP code 44135 averages $1,473, while in 43604, it's around $1,960. That's around a 30% difference. For a detailed perspective, refer to the table below showcasing insurance rates by ZIP code, considering coverage limits of $250,000 for dwelling, $125,000 for personal property and $200,000 in liability, along with a $1,000 deductible.

The difference between a good and bad credit-based insurance score can save you an average of $4,437 annually. In most states, your credit history plays a pivotal role in determining your home insurance costs — insurers often perceive a robust insurance score as a sign of fiscal prudence, implying a reduced likelihood of future claims. On the other hand, a less favorable score could result in higher premiums. However, in states such as California, Hawaii, Massachusetts and Michigan, insurers are prohibited from using credit factors to set rates.

For those residing in states where credit factors impact insurance rates, refer to the table below and compare how home insurance costs can change based on your credit score and preferred dwelling coverage.

With numerous providers and policy coverages, understanding how to compare quotes effectively is key. By doing so, you're seeking the best value and ensuring that the policy you choose aligns with your needs and circumstances. Review each step below to see how to compare home insurance quotes before you purchase a policy.

To effectively compare policies, it's important to have a clear understanding of what home insurance coverages encompass. These are the coverages involved in home insurance:

• Dwelling Coverage: Dwelling coverage is a central part of your homeowners insurance policy, providing funds to repair or rebuild your home if it's damaged by events like fires, tornadoes or falling trees. The coverage limit specifies the maximum amount your insurance will pay based on current construction, materials and labor costs.
• Other Structures: Home insurance also considers the other structures on your property not connected to the main home, such as your guest house, shed, detached garage or in-ground swimming pool. These entities fall under the dwelling coverage, specifically the Coverage B portion. Typically, Coverage B is set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. So, if your dwelling's coverage stands at $200,000, the insurance for these additional structures would amount to $20,000, but you can purchase a higher amount.
• Personal Property Coverage: Personal property coverage is designed to protect the belongings within your home. If these items — such as furniture, standalone appliances, electronics like TVs and computers, clothing, artwork and sports equipment — are damaged or lost due to incidents like theft or fire, this coverage assists in covering the repair or replacement costs. Personal property limits are typically set at 50% of your policy's dwelling limit but can be adjuster higher or lower.
• Personal Liability Coverage: Personal liability coverage provides protection against financial repercussions should you inadvertently cause injury to someone or damage their property. Whether it's an unexpected accident like a neighbor's child getting hurt in your garden or issues stemming from household pets, this coverage grants peace of mind. Most standard homeowners insurance policies provide a minimum of $100,000 worth of liability insurance, but higher amounts are available, and, increasingly, insurance professionals recommend that homeowners consider purchasing at least $300,000 to $500,000 worth of liability coverage.
• Medical Payments: Medical payments coverage is designed to handle minor medical bills if someone other than a household member gets injured on your property, regardless of who's at fault. If a friend trips on your porch steps or a neighbor has a minor mishap while visiting, this coverage ensures you are prepared to handle the medical costs. Standard home policies typically include $1,000 to $5,000 of this coverage.
• Additional Living Expenses: Additional living expenses (ALE) coverage, or loss of use insurance, is designed to alleviate the financial strain when unexpected events force you out of your home temporarily. It steps in to cover those extra costs, from lodging to dining out because your kitchen is off-limits to compensating for potential lost rental income. ALE also takes care of practical needs, covering expenses such as laundry, furniture rentals, storage fees, moving costs and even pet boarding. Your homeowners policy’s ALE coverage is usually equal to 20% of your home’s insured value — a home insured for $200,000, for instance, may have ALE coverage of up to $40,000 — or limited to a certain timeframe (e.g., no more than 12 months).

There are two types of replacement coverage you can choose from on your policy: actual cash value and replacement cost.

• Actual Cash Value: Also known as ACV, this coverage takes depreciation into account. This means that if your 10-year-old television gets destroyed, you will only be given as much money as it is worth rather than enough to buy a new TV.
• Replacement Value: RCV typically runs about 25% more than ACV, but it values your items at the current replacement cost instead of their actual cash value. If your 10-year-old television gets destroyed in a covered event, the insurance policy will pay enough to buy a new television to replace it.

Establishing how much home insurance you need involves a careful examination of your situation, as there is no one-size-fits-all home insurance policy. By taking a holistic view of your circumstances and consulting with insurance experts, you can ensure that your policy provides comprehensive protection without any gaps or redundancies.

How to Establish Dwelling Coverage

Dwelling coverage concerns your home's reconstruction costs, not its market value. Start by evaluating the cost of rebuilding your home from the ground up, factoring in current construction rates, materials and labor costs in your area.

How to Choose Personal Property Coverage

Take inventory of your belongings, from electronics to clothing — creating a detailed home inventory (with photos or video) will help expedite the claim process if you suffer a loss. Estimate their current replacement value, considering depreciation. Don't forget to regularly update this list, especially after significant purchases.

How to Determine Personal Liability Coverage

Reflect on the assets you need to protect, like savings and property. Consider potential risks in your home that could lead to injury claims. For instance, if you frequently have guests over, opt for enough coverage to safeguard your assets against potential lawsuits. You can increase your liability protection by purchasing a personal umbrella policy, which typically offers coverage beginning at a $1 million limit.

How to Determine Other Coverage

Other structures coverage and additional living expenses are typically set by the insurer based on your dwelling coverage limits, but some insurers may allow you to increase these limits.

To guarantee you're getting an accurate quote, you'll need to verify your personal information with the insurance company. Here's a list of the typical information required:

• Full name
• Date of birth
• Social Security number
• Current address
• Phone number
• Email address
• Marital status
• Employment status or occupation
• Previous home insurance claims history (usually for the past 5–7 years)
• Details of your current home insurance policy (if you have one)
• Information about pets, especially certain dog breeds or exotic animals
• Number of residents living in the household

Your personal information will impact your quote, so it's important to ensure it’s accurate. For example, if your name is spelled wrong or your birthday is incorrect in the company's system, it could end up checking credit or claims history for a completely different person.

To get the most accurate quote, you'll need to provide detailed information about your home, including:

• Home Type: Single- or two-story, architectural style (e.g., bungalow, ranch, colonial) and foundation type
• Physical Details: Square footage, age of the house and roof, materials used for construction and terrain (flat or sloped)
• Market Value: Current estimated value of the home
• Home Loan Amount: Total amount borrowed for the home
• Home Condition: State of the interior and exterior, including any damages or repairs needed
• Business Activities: Any business operations, especially child care, conducted within the home
• Safety Features: Presence of burglar alarms, sprinkler systems, etc.
• Recreational Items: Items like swimming pools, hot tubs or trampolines on the property
• Flood Plain Location: If the home is situated in a designated flood area
• Inspection Report: A report from a licensed home inspector

When collecting quotes, make sure to opt for well-rated companies, typically with a financial strength rating of "A" (Excellent) or higher from AM Best or a similar rating agency. Customer satisfaction, financial stability, available discounts and word of mouth are important considerations when choosing a provider and can help you find the best home insurance company for your needs.

When it comes to home insurance, it's crucial to strike a balance. While cost-effective policies are appealing, you also need to ensure adequate coverage. When you’re comparing the cost of home insurance, make sure to look at these factors:

Ideally, when weighing policies, you want to ensure you’re comparing apples to apples in terms of coverage limits. For example, a quote that is significantly cheaper than the others might have lower levels of coverage or come with a substantially higher deductible.

When considering home insurance, it's not just about the basics. Dive deeper to uncover specialized coverages that cater to the unique risks of your environment. From addressing natural hazards to safeguarding prized possessions, there are many options to ensure you're fully protected.

Selecting a home insurance provider goes beyond just cost considerations. It's about ensuring that when the unexpected happens, you have a reliable partner to help you recover from a covered loss as quickly as possible. Here's what to look for in homeowners insurance providers:

• Reputation and Reviews: Online reviews and third-party ratings can offer insights into a company's reliability and customer satisfaction.
• Financial Stability: Check the provider's financial health, as it indicates their ability to handle claims. Rating agencies like AM Best provide a comprehensive analysis of an insurer's financial position.
• Coverage Options: Does the provider offer the coverages you're specifically looking for and endorsements to enhance your standard policy? Avoid compromising coverage options for affordability.
• Customer Service: Efficient and approachable customer service is crucial, especially when you suffer a loss and need to file a claim. You can learn more about your insurer's claims handling process via objective consumer reviews.
• Claim Process: A clear and prompt claim process can make challenging situations more manageable. Reviews about the insurer can give you insight into this.
• Discounts and Bundling: Look for potential savings through discounts or bundling options, such as purchasing home and auto coverage with the same insurer.
• Policy Customization: The ability to tailor your policy ensures you get the coverage you need without unnecessary extras.

If you’re still unsure how to compare home insurance quotes, use the below as a starting point. Note that these examples use sample rates only.

Diving into the details of Policies A and B, it's clear that each offers a unique blend of coverage and cost. With its lower premium, Policy A might seem like the immediate go-to, but it's important to consider the broader picture. While it provides robust personal liability coverage, it falls short in dwelling coverage compared to Policy B and will leave you with a shortfall if you suffer a catastrophic loss.

Conversely, despite its higher premium, Policy B offers more comprehensive dwelling and personal property coverage. But it does come with a trade-off in the form of a reduced personal liability limit. The deductible differences between the two also play a role; Policy A's higher deductible might mean more out-of-pocket expenses in the event of a claim.

Neither is right or wrong between the two policies — ultimately, it's about weighing the pros and cons based on your specific needs. If your home's location or structure demands higher dwelling coverage, Policy B might be the better fit. However, if you're more concerned about potential liabilities, Policy A offers that extra cushion. Always remember, the goal is to find a balance that caters to your requirements without straining your budget.

Home insurance providers determine premiums using a wide variety of individual, property and location factors, each weighed differently by every insurer. You can tailor your policy to fit your needs and financial situation by understanding what factors affect your premiums.

Comparing home insurance requires a deeper understanding of what home insurance really is. Our frequently asked questions on home insurance can provide more clarity.