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How to Compare Home Insurance

Finding the right home insurance doesn't have to be complicated. InsureDecks simplifies the process by connecting you with leading insurance providers to secure optimal coverage at competitive prices. Enter your information once, and receive tailored quotes from multiple carriers within minutes.

Unlike platforms that compromise your privacy by selling your data, InsureDecks delivers authentic real-time quotes without exposing you to unwanted solicitations. As a licensed insurance agency, we prioritize safeguarding your information while helping you achieve substantial savings on homeowners insurance.

Quick Tip: Comparing quotes from multiple insurers can save you up to $1,000 annually on home insurance premiums.

Why You Should Compare

Home insurance premiums differ significantly among providers—even for identical properties and coverage levels. Each insurer evaluates risk factors uniquely, resulting in considerable rate variations for similar homeowners seeking the same protection.

Consider this: a policy with $300,000 dwelling coverage might cost $2,112 annually with State Farm, while Grange offers comparable protection for just $876 per year. That represents over $1,200 in potential annual savings simply by selecting the right carrier.

Even with satisfactory current coverage, reviewing rates every 12-18 months ensures you're not overpaying as market dynamics shift. Major life changes like renovations, purchasing new valuables, or relocating can significantly impact your premium requirements and available discounts.

Three Ways to Compare Quotes

Comparison Factor InsureDecks Lead-Gen Sites Direct from Insurer
Personalized Quotes
Spam Risk None High Low
Insurance Partners 180+ Varies 1
Time to Quote <5 minutes Varies Varies

What Our Customers Say

★★★★★

"InsureDecks helped me save over $950 on my homeowners insurance. The comparison process was straightforward, and I received multiple quotes almost instantly!"

— Jessica T., Austin, TX

★★★★★

"Finally found a comparison platform that doesn't bombard me with spam calls! InsureDecks made it effortless to evaluate authentic quotes and select the best coverage."

— Robert K., Dallas, TX

★★★★★

"I assumed my rate was competitive, but comparing revealed I could save $750 annually. Incredibly grateful I took the time to check!"

— Patricia M., Houston, TX

Information Needed to Compare

To generate accurate quotes, we'll need essential information about you and your property. Prepare these details beforehand:

Personal Information

  • Full legal name
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Complete address
  • Occupancy type

Property History

  • Years of ownership
  • Claims history (past 3-5 years)
  • Current insurance details
  • Mortgage information
  • Security features installed

Home Details

  • Year constructed
  • Square footage
  • Construction materials
  • Roof age and type
  • Number of bedrooms/baths

How to Get the Best Value

  1. Compare Multiple Quotes: Obtain quotes from at least 3-5 insurers to identify optimal rates. Potential savings: up to 25%.
  2. Increase Your Deductible: Higher deductibles substantially reduce monthly premiums. Potential savings: 15-30%.
  3. Bundle Your Policies: Combine home and auto insurance for multi-policy discounts. Potential savings: 10-25%.
  4. Install Security Systems: Monitored alarms and fire detection systems lower premiums. Potential savings: 5-15%.
  5. Maintain Good Credit: Strong credit scores translate to lower insurance rates. Potential savings: up to 30%.
  6. Update Your Home: Roof replacements and system upgrades qualify for discounts. Potential savings: 10-25%.
  7. Ask About Discounts: Request all available reductions (loyalty, retiree, HOA memberships). Potential savings: 5-20%.
  8. Review Coverage Annually: Ensure your limits match current home values and possessions to avoid overpaying.

Types of Coverage

Dwelling Coverage

Protects the physical structure of your home, including walls, roof, and attached structures. This coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home if damaged by covered perils like fire, windstorms, or vandalism.

Best for: All homeowners—this is typically required by mortgage lenders and forms the foundation of your policy.

Personal Property Coverage

Covers your belongings inside the home, including furniture, electronics, clothing, and appliances. Standard policies typically cover 50-70% of your dwelling coverage amount. Replacement cost coverage is recommended over actual cash value to avoid depreciation deductions.

Best for: Homeowners with valuable possessions or those who want full replacement without depreciation.

Additional Living Expenses

Also called loss of use coverage, this pays for temporary housing, meals, and other living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss. Coverage typically ranges from 20-30% of your dwelling coverage.

Best for: Anyone wanting financial protection during displacement from their home during repairs.

Optional Coverages

Flood Insurance

Protects against flood damage, which standard policies exclude. Essential for properties in flood-prone areas.

Earthquake Coverage

Covers earthquake damage and related losses like landslides. Recommended for homes in seismic zones.

Scheduled Personal Property

Provides higher limits for jewelry, art, collectibles, and other high-value items beyond standard limits.

Umbrella Policy

Extends liability coverage beyond standard policy limits, typically adding $1-5 million in protection.

Factors That Affect Your Rates

Insurance companies employ sophisticated algorithms to calculate premiums. Understanding these variables helps identify opportunities to reduce your rates.

🏠 Home Age & Condition

Newer homes with updated systems typically receive lower rates. Homes built within the last 10 years often qualify for new home discounts of up to 25%.

📍 Location

Geographic risk factors including weather patterns, crime rates, and proximity to fire departments significantly impact premiums. Your ZIP code matters considerably.

🏗️ Construction Materials

Building materials affect replacement costs and durability. Brick homes often cost less to insure than wood-frame structures due to fire resistance.

🔒 Security Features

Monitored alarm systems, fire sprinklers, and smart home devices can reduce premiums by 5-15% by lowering theft and damage risks.

💳 Credit Score

Most states allow credit-based insurance scoring. Strong credit can reduce premiums by up to 30% compared to poor credit ratings.

📋 Claims History

Recent claims increase premiums significantly. Maintaining a claim-free record for 3-5 years often qualifies you for substantial discounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Your dwelling coverage should equal the full replacement cost of your home, not its market value. Calculate this by multiplying your home's square footage by local construction costs per square foot. Many experts recommend replacement cost coverage with at least 20% extended replacement cost to account for inflation and unforeseen expenses. Your lender may have minimum requirements, but adequate coverage protects your investment.
Replacement cost coverage pays to replace your damaged property with new items of similar quality without deducting for depreciation. Actual cash value coverage deducts depreciation, paying you what the item was worth at the time of loss. For example, if your 5-year-old roof is damaged, replacement cost covers a new roof, while actual cash value only pays for a depreciated 5-year-old roof's value. Replacement cost coverage costs more but provides better protection.
Review your rates annually or when major changes occur (renovations, purchasing expensive items, installing security systems, etc.). Insurance markets fluctuate constantly, and many homeowners save $500+ by switching providers. Even if satisfied with your current insurer, comparing quotes takes just minutes and confirms you're receiving competitive pricing. Policy renewal time is ideal for comparison shopping.
No, standard homeowners insurance policies exclude flood damage. You need a separate flood insurance policy, typically purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private insurers. Even if you're not in a high-risk flood zone, flood insurance is worth considering—over 20% of flood claims come from low-to-moderate risk areas. Lenders may require flood insurance if your home is in a designated flood zone.
No. Insurance quote inquiries are "soft inquiries" that don't impact your credit score. Only "hard inquiries" from loan or credit card applications affect your score. You can request as many insurance quotes as needed without any credit consequences. However, insurers may use your credit score to determine your rates, so maintaining good credit helps you qualify for better premiums.
Yes, but recent claims (typically within 3-5 years) will likely increase your premiums and may limit your insurer options. Multiple claims can make it challenging to find coverage with standard insurers. Some companies specialize in higher-risk properties and may offer coverage at higher rates. As time passes since your last claim and you maintain a claim-free record, your rates should decrease. Shopping around is especially important for homeowners with claims history, as pricing varies significantly between companies.

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