Whether you own a home, rent an apartment, or own investment property — licensed insurance agents can compare quotes from multiple carriers and find the right coverage for your situation and budget. Free quotes, no obligation.
🕑 Specialists available Mon–Sun 9am–9pm EST
Consumer Support Help is a free matching service. Calls may be routed to licensed insurance agents. Coverage availability and rates vary by state and carrier.
Whether you are buying your first home, switching carriers, or protecting a rental property — licensed agents can find coverage that fits.
Buying your first home comes with mortgage lender insurance requirements. Licensed agents can explain what coverage you need, what is optional, and how to avoid overpaying on your first policy.
Many homeowners overpay for years without realizing it. Agents can compare your current coverage against multiple carriers and find the same or better protection at a lower rate.
Renters insurance protects your personal belongings, covers liability, and is often required by landlords. Most policies cost $15–$30 per month and can be set up in one call.
Landlord policies cover the structure, liability, and lost rental income — standard homeowners policies do not cover rental properties. Agents can find the right landlord coverage for your investment.
Condo insurance covers your personal property and the interior of your unit — your HOA covers the building structure. Agents can ensure there are no coverage gaps between your policy and your HOA master policy.
Bundling home and auto insurance with the same carrier typically saves 10–25% on both policies. Agents can compare bundle deals across multiple carriers to find your best combined rate.
Standard policies include several types of protection — here is what each one means for you.
Pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged by fire, wind, hail, lightning, or other covered perils. Coverage should equal the full replacement cost of your home — not its market value.
Covers your furniture, electronics, clothing, and other belongings if they are stolen or damaged by a covered event. High-value items like jewelry may need scheduled endorsements.
Pays legal and medical costs if someone is injured on your property or you accidentally damage someone else’s property. Standard policies include $100,000–$300,000 in liability coverage.
Pays for hotel, food, and other costs if your home is uninhabitable after a covered loss. Also called loss of use coverage — critical if you have a major claim.
Covers detached garages, fences, sheds, and other structures on your property that are not attached to your home. Typically 10% of your dwelling coverage limit.
Pays medical bills for guests injured on your property regardless of fault — no lawsuit required. Typically $1,000–$5,000 in coverage and separate from liability protection.
Many homeowners discover gaps in their coverage after a loss. Knowing what is excluded helps you decide what additional coverage you need.
Standard home insurance does not cover flood damage. Flood insurance is purchased separately through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or private carriers. If you are in a flood zone your mortgage lender likely requires it.
Earthquake coverage is excluded from standard policies in most states. Separate earthquake endorsements or standalone policies are available in high-risk states. Ask your agent whether earthquake coverage makes sense for your location.
Termite damage, rodent damage, and mold remediation are generally not covered because they are considered preventable maintenance issues. Regular home maintenance is your best protection against these costs.
Gradual deterioration — aging roof, worn plumbing, failing HVAC systems — is not covered by homeowners insurance. Insurance covers sudden accidental damage, not maintenance issues that develop over time.
Not sure if your current coverage has gaps? Licensed agents can review your existing policy and identify where you may be underinsured or overpaying.
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Home insurance costs vary significantly by state, home value, coverage level, and carrier. Here is what most homeowners actually pay.
| Coverage Type | Typical Annual Cost |
|---|---|
| Basic homeowners (HO-3) | $1,200 – $2,400/year |
| High-value home (HO-5) | $2,400 – $6,000+/year |
| Renters insurance | $180 – $360/year |
| Condo insurance (HO-6) | $400 – $1,200/year |
| Landlord policy (DP-3) | $1,500 – $3,000+/year |
| Flood insurance (separate) | $700 – $2,000+/year |
| Earthquake endorsement | $200 – $800+/year |
Your home insurance premium is determined by your home’s replacement cost, your location’s risk profile for weather and crime, your claims history, your credit score in most states, the deductible you choose, and the carrier’s own pricing model. Two homeowners with identical houses in the same neighborhood can pay significantly different premiums depending on their claims history and the carrier they are with. The only way to know your actual rate is to get quotes from multiple carriers.
Most carriers offer discounts for bundling home and auto, installing security systems and smoke detectors, being claims-free for multiple years, paying annually instead of monthly, and being a new homebuyer. Ask your agent specifically about every available discount — discounts are rarely applied automatically.
The most common home insurance policy. Covers your dwelling on an open-perils basis (all risks except those specifically excluded) and your personal property on a named-perils basis (only risks specifically listed). Right for most single-family homeowners.
The broadest homeowners coverage — covers both dwelling and personal property on an open-perils basis. Higher premiums but fewer coverage surprises at claim time. Recommended for high-value homes and homeowners with significant personal property.
Designed specifically for condo units. Covers personal property, interior walls, floors, and ceilings — the parts your HOA master policy does not cover. Includes liability and additional living expenses.
Designed for non-owner-occupied rental properties. Covers the structure, landlord’s personal property on the premises, liability, and lost rental income if the property becomes uninhabitable after a covered loss. Standard homeowners policies exclude rental activity.
Your dwelling coverage should equal the full replacement cost of your home — the cost to rebuild it from scratch at current construction prices — not the market value or what you paid for it. These numbers are often very different. Replacement cost is typically calculated by your insurer based on square footage, construction type, and local labor costs. Your personal property coverage should reflect the total value of your belongings. Liability coverage of at least $300,000 is recommended for most homeowners. An agent can help you calculate appropriate coverage limits.
Actual cash value (ACV) pays what your damaged property was worth at the time of the loss — accounting for depreciation. Replacement cost value (RCV) pays what it actually costs to replace the damaged item with a new equivalent today. ACV policies have lower premiums but leave you paying the depreciation difference out of pocket at claim time. For example a 10-year-old roof worth $5,000 in ACV might cost $20,000 to replace — the ACV policy pays $5,000, you pay $15,000. RCV coverage is almost always worth the higher premium.
The national average for a standard HO-3 homeowners policy is roughly $100–$200 per month depending on your home value, location, and coverage level. Renters insurance is significantly cheaper at $15–$30 per month. Condo insurance typically runs $35–$100 per month. High-risk states like Florida and Louisiana have significantly higher average premiums. The only accurate way to know your cost is to get quotes from multiple carriers for your specific address and coverage needs.
It depends on the source. Sudden accidental water damage — like a burst pipe or appliance malfunction — is typically covered. Gradual leaks that develop over time are generally not covered because they are considered preventable maintenance issues. Flood damage from external water sources is never covered by standard homeowners insurance — it requires a separate flood policy. Sewer backup is also typically excluded unless you add a specific endorsement.
Yes. You can switch home insurance carriers at any time — even mid-policy. If you cancel your current policy early most carriers will refund the unused portion of your premium. If your mortgage lender escrows your insurance payments you will need to notify them of the change so they can update the escrow account. There is no penalty for switching and many homeowners save significantly by shopping their coverage every few years.
The most common coverage surprises are flood damage (excluded — requires separate policy), earthquake damage (excluded in most states), sewer backup (excluded unless endorsed), gradual water damage from slow leaks (excluded), pest damage including termites (excluded), mold remediation in many cases (excluded or limited), and home-based business equipment and liability (excluded from personal policies). Reviewing your policy’s exclusion section with an agent before you need to file a claim is the best way to avoid surprises.
In most states yes. Most home insurance carriers use a credit-based insurance score as one factor in determining your premium. States including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, and Hawaii prohibit or limit the use of credit in insurance pricing. In states where it is permitted homeowners with higher credit scores typically pay lower premiums. If your credit has improved since you last shopped your insurance it may be worth getting new quotes — you could qualify for lower rates.
Filing a claim typically results in a premium increase at renewal — sometimes 20–40% or more depending on the claim type and carrier. Multiple claims within a few years can result in non-renewal. Claims stay on the CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report for up to seven years and follow the property — meaning even claims filed by previous owners can affect your rates. Many insurance professionals recommend only filing claims for large losses and paying smaller damages out of pocket to protect your claims history.
If your dwelling coverage limit is less than the actual replacement cost of your home you may receive a reduced claim payment under the coinsurance clause in most policies. For example if your home would cost $400,000 to rebuild but you only carry $300,000 in coverage you are insured to 75% of replacement cost — and your claims payment may be reduced proportionally even for partial losses. Many homeowners become underinsured gradually as construction costs rise. An annual review with your agent ensures your coverage keeps pace with replacement cost inflation.
The most important factors are financial strength rating (A.M. Best A or better), claims satisfaction scores (J.D. Power rankings are useful), coverage options and endorsements available, price for equivalent coverage, and local agent availability if you prefer in-person service. The cheapest policy is not always the best — a carrier with poor claims handling will cost you far more when you actually need to file. A licensed agent can compare multiple carriers on all these dimensions and help you find the right balance of price and quality.
Licensed agents available nationwide. Call to get quotes for your specific state and address.
🕑 Specialists available Mon–Sun 9am–9pm EST. Call (866) 670-1464 for quotes specific to your state.
Licensed agents can compare rates from multiple carriers, explain coverage differences clearly, and help you find the right policy for your home and budget — in one free phone call.
🕑 Mon–Sun 9am–9pm EST — Free quotes — No obligation
Disclaimer: Consumer Support Help is a free matching service and is not an insurance carrier or agent. Calls and form submissions may be routed to licensed third-party insurance agents. Coverage availability, rates, and eligibility vary by state, carrier, and individual risk profile. Always review policy terms carefully before purchasing.