These are sample rates and should be used for comparative purposes only. Your quotes may be different.

The coverage limits in the methodology are as follows:

• Coverage A, Dwelling: $200,000
• Coverage B, Other Structures: $0
• Coverage C, Personal Property: $100,000
• Coverage D, Loss of Use: $40,000
• Coverage E, Liability: $250,000
• Coverage F, Medical Payments: $1,500

The homeowners also have a $1,000 deductible and a separate wind and hail deductible (if required).

J.D. Power is a third-party, non-biased leader in consumer insights, data, and analytics. Each year, it releases customer satisfaction studies for common consumer products, including home insurance. COUNTRY Financial, USAA, Amica and Auto-Owners all ranked above average in J.D. Power’s 2020 study, meaning they have high customer satisfaction ratings based on interaction, policy offerings, price, billing process, policy information, and claims.

Because real customers answered J.D. Power’s surveys on customer satisfaction on these companies, it’s an accurate reflection of customer service quality.

AM Best is a company that rates the financial strength of other companies in the U.S. The scores awarded to home insurers typically vary from A-, A, A+, and A++. A+ and A++ are considered strong financial ratings and means that a home insurance company has the money to pay out claims.

For consumers, this also means that an insurance company is less likely to go bankrupt or drag its feet on paying out a large claim, so it’s important to buy home insurance from a company with at least an A rating from AM Best.

Depending on where the insured house is located, it’s worth considering getting flood, earthquake, or hurricane coverage to further insure the home against perils. For example, homeowners in coastal states like Florida might opt for hurricane insurance while California homeowners should consider earthquake coverage options. However, if an insurance provider doesn’t offer flood or earthquake as a coverage option, there are government-sponsored programs through which people can supplement their homeowners insurance policy with additional coverage.

• Homeowners can further customize their policies to get the best homeowners insurance by adding coverage that includes:

• Identity theft
• Water backups
• Extended limits for valuables
• Guaranteed replacement cost
• Specialty dwelling for sheds, guest houses, and other structures

Most home insurance companies offer autopay, paperless billing, and multi-policy discounts to customers. However, if homeowners want the cheapest home insurance possible, it’s critical to consider insurers with more than the basic discounts. Here are some other common, and not-so-common, home insurance discounts:

• Claims-free for a period of time
• New homebuyer or new construction
• Security system installation
• Early shopper discount
• New roof
• Previously insured

When you shop for home insurance quotes, be sure to pay attention to the discounts each carrier offers. It’s possible to save money on your homeowners insurance policy by taking advantage of as many discounts as possible.

Home insurance premiums are what policyholders pay yearly, twice-yearly, or monthly in order to have an active homeowners insurance policy. A deductible is the out-of-pocket expense a policyholder pays in the event of a claim. Keep in mind that the average premium for home insurance in the United States was $1,249 a year, according to 2020 data.

Generally, the higher a deductible is, the lower the premium will be, and vice versa. To save money on home insurance policy premiums, opt for a higher deductible in the home insurance policy. Keep in mind, the higher your deductible, the more you pay out of pocket during a claim.

As technology advances, so do claim processes. Most home insurance companies have a mobile app that allow homeowners to view and update their policies as well as file a claim when needed. Why is this important? Imagine your house is in disrepair from a fire or extreme weather event and you can’t access your computer or internet — how will you file an online claim? If an insurance company has mobile app claim-filing capabilities, then homeowners can file a claim right from their phone, upload pictures, and even track the progress of the claim.

Auto-Owners has the best home insurance according to our research. However, NJM, Amica, and USAA are very close runners-up as they all have the best homeowners insurance rates and high customer satisfaction ratings.

According to data we’ve gathered from Coverage.com, the cheapest home insurance company is Farm Bureau with $501 average yearly premiums.

Homeowners insurance is a type of insurance policy designed to provide coverage against damage, theft, and other types of loss when you purchase a home. Since homes are typically the biggest investment you’ll make in your lifetime, it’s essential to have an insurance policy to protect it.

Usually, you would file a claim either online, if your insurer allows it, or by calling your agent. A claims adjuster will be assigned to you, and he or she will work with you to assess repairs needed and determine an appropriate payout. For more on when and how to file a claim, check out our guide to filing a claim.

Home insurance typically includes the following types of coverage:

• The cost of repairing your home’s structure.
• The cost of replacing your personal property within the home.
• Liability coverage for property damage or bodily injury that you cause.
• Living expenses if your home becomes uninhabitable.

You can check out our Guide to Homeowners Insurance Coverage for more information.

It’s a good idea to read your policy or talk to your agent to find out what’s covered, but two perils that are generally not included in standard policies are earthquakes and flooding. For these, you would need an endorsement or, in the case of flooding, an additional policy.

According to Coverage.com, the average person in the U.S. pays $1,618 per year, although this varies by state. Policies are cheapest in Delaware, where homeowners can expect to pay around $724 in premiums. Oklahoma has the most expensive coverage with a typical home insurance policy priced at $4,377 per year. However, to understand how much you will pay for home insurance, it’s important to shop for home insurance quotes with multiple carriers.