Home Insurance Quotes: A Complete Guide to Comparing House Insurance in 2026

Why Getting Multiple Homeowners Insurance Quotes Matters

Every insurance company uses its own proprietary formula to calculate your premium. Two carriers can look at the exact same house in the exact same zip code and come back with home insurance quotes that are hundreds of dollars apart. One company might penalize you for having an older roof, while another barely factors it in. One might offer a generous bundling discount, while another gives you a better base rate but limited multi-policy savings.

The national average homeowners insurance premium is approximately $2,100 to $2,500 per year for $300,000 in dwelling coverage, but that average hides enormous variation. In our reviews of the top homeowners insurance companies, we found annual premiums ranging from around $1,243 (USAA, for eligible military members) to well over $6,000 for high-value home policies from carriers like Chubb. The only way to know where you fall is to get quotes from at least three to five carriers and compare them side by side.

And comparing homeowners’ insurance is not just about the bottom-line price. A $1,600 policy and a $2,200 policy might look $600 apart until you realize the cheaper one excludes water backup coverage, uses actual cash value for personal property (meaning depreciated payouts), and caps replacement cost at 80% of your dwelling limit. When you add the endorsements needed to match the pricier policy, the gap often shrinks or disappears entirely.

What You Need Before You Start Quoting

Gathering the right information upfront saves you from incomplete or inaccurate quotes. Most carriers will ask for your home’s address, year built, square footage, construction type (frame, brick, stucco), roof material and age, number of stories, and whether you have any safety or security features like smoke detectors, a burglar alarm, or a sprinkler system.

You’ll also want to know your home’s estimated replacement cost. This is not the same as your home’s market value or what you paid for it. Replacement cost is what it would take to rebuild your home from scratch at current construction prices, including labor and materials. Many carriers will estimate this for you based on your address and home details, but it helps to have a ballpark figure going in. A $350,000 purchase price could easily translate to a $425,000 or higher replacement cost in today’s market.

Finally, know your claims history. If you’ve filed homeowners’ claims in the past three to five years, expect that to show up in your quotes. Carriers also check the property’s claims history through the CLUE database, so even claims filed by previous owners can affect your rate.

Three Ways to Get Homeowners Insurance Quotes

Directly from the carrier. This is the most straightforward approach. You visit the insurer’s website or call their office, provide your details, and get a quote. Carriers like Lemonade let you get a quote in 90 seconds entirely online, while others like State Farm connect you with one of their 19,200+ local agents for a more hands-on experience. The advantage is that you’re getting the carrier’s actual rate with all available discounts. The disadvantage is that you have to repeat the process with every single company you want to compare.

Through an independent agent. Independent agents work with multiple carriers and can pull quotes from several companies at once. This is particularly useful for high-value homes or complex situations where you need specialized coverage. Carriers like Chubb and Travelers sell primarily through independent agents. The trade-off is that independent agents may not represent every carrier, so you could still be missing competitive options.

Using an online comparison tool. Comparison tools let you enter your information once and see options from multiple carriers. This is the fastest way to get a broad view of the market, though the quotes you see at this stage are often estimates that need to be finalized with each carrier individually. Our homeowners insurance recommendation tool matches you with a top-rated carrier based on your state, priorities, and home type, so you can start your search with the company most likely to be the best fit.

Five Things to Compare Beyond Price

Replacement cost methodology. This is the single most important coverage detail most people overlook. Some carriers offer guaranteed replacement cost, which pays whatever it takes to rebuild your home, even if the cost exceeds your policy limit. Others offer extended replacement cost, which adds 20% to 25% above your limit. Standard policies cap payouts at the policy limit, period. In our reviews, carriers like Chubb offer guaranteed replacement cost with no cap, while State Farm includes extended replacement cost (20% above your limit) as a standard feature. The difference between these approaches can be tens of thousands of dollars on a large claim.

Claims satisfaction data. A carrier’s claims reputation is the most important factor that doesn’t show up on a quote comparison. J.D. Power’s annual property claims study and NAIC complaint data are the two best public sources. In our review set, NAIC complaint indices ranged from 0.12 (Chubb, the lowest of any carrier) to nearly 4.0 for some newer digital-first insurers. That spread represents a massive difference in how these companies treat policyholders after a loss.

Bundling discounts. If you’re insuring a car and a home, bundling can be the single largest discount available. In our reviews, bundling discounts ranged from 10% (USAA) to 25% (State Farm home insurance). That translates to hundreds of dollars per year. But bundling is only worth it if both policies are competitive on their own. Saving 25% on a homeowners policy that was overpriced to begin with is not actually a deal.

Financial strength. An insurer’s AM Best rating tells you whether it has the financial reserves to pay claims, especially after a widespread disaster. Look for carriers rated A or higher. In our review set, USAA, Chubb, and Travelers all carry A++ ratings (the highest possible), while newer digital carriers like Lemonade home insurance hold a B+ (Good). In a state prone to hurricanes, wildfires, or severe storms, financial strength is not optional.

Coverage gaps and exclusions. Standard HO-3 policies do not cover flood damage, earthquake damage, or sewer backup. If you live in a flood zone, you need a separate flood policy. If you’re in earthquake country, ask about an earthquake endorsement. Water backup coverage is one of the most commonly needed and most commonly excluded endorsements. Some carriers like Amica include it in their premium tier policies, while others charge extra for it. Make sure every quote you’re comparing includes the same endorsements,s so you’re looking at apples-to-apples pricing.

Mistakes to Avoid When Comparing Homeowners Insurance Quotes

The most common mistake is comparing quotes at face value without checking that the coverage is equivalent. A $1,500 quote with a $2,500 deductible and actual cash value payouts is not the same product as a $2,000 quote with a $1,000 deductible and replacement cost coverage. Before you declare one quote the winner, line up the dwelling amount, deductible, liability limit, personal property valuation method, and included endorsements across all your options.

Another frequent mistake is insuring your home for its market value instead of its replacement cost. Your home might sell for $400,000, but if it would cost $500,000 to rebuild at current construction prices, that’s the number your dwelling coverage should reflect. Underinsuring means a partial payout on a major claim, which defeats the entire purpose of having insurance.

Finally, don’t set it and forget it. Homeowners insurance is not a one-time purchase. Carriers change their pricing, coverage terms, and claims practices over time. Construction costs fluctuate. Your home’s value changes with renovations and upgrades. Pull fresh quotes every two to three years, even if you’re happy with your current carrier. The best deal three years ago may not be competitive today.

When Should You Get Homeowners Insurance Quotes?

If you’re buying a home, start shopping for insurance as soon as you have a signed purchase agreement. Your lender will require proof of insurance before closing, and rushing the process means you’re more likely to grab the first quote instead of the best one. Give yourself at least two to three weeks to compare options.

If you already have a policy, the best time to shop is 30 to 45 days before your renewal date. This gives you enough time to compare quotes, switch carriers if needed, and ensure continuous coverage without a gap. Most carriers will refund the unused portion of your premium on a pro-rata basis if you switch mid-term, so you’re not locked in.

You should also get new quotes after any major life change that affects your home: a renovation that increases replacement cost, the addition of a pool or detached structure, a change in household members, or a move to a new area. Each of these can significantly affect your rate, and your current carrier may not be the most competitive for your updated profile.

The Bottom Line

The homeowners’ insurance market is competitive, and that competition works in your favor if you’re willing to spend a little time shopping. Get quotes from at least three to five carriers, make sure you’re comparing equivalent coverage, and look beyond the premium to the claims data, financial strength, and coverage details that actually determine whether your insurer will be there when you need them. A few hours of comparison shopping can save you hundreds per year and, more importantly, protect you from a five-figure surprise when something goes wrong.