We've saved shoppers an average of $350 per year on home insurance.
4.7 out of 5
Your marketplace for America's top insurers
By
Pat HowardPat HowardManaging Editor & Licensed Home Insurance ExpertPat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Edited by
Jennifer GimbelJennifer GimbelSenior Managing Editor & Home Insurance ExpertJennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor at Policygenius, where she oversees all of our insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
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Reviewed by
Fabio Faschi, PLCS, SBCS, CLCSFabio Faschi, PLCS, SBCS, CLCSLicensed Property & Casualty Insurance ExpertFabio Faschi is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent. His expertise on home and auto insurance has been featured on Forbes, Consumer Affairs, Realtor.com, Apartment Therapy, SFGATE, Bankrate, and Lifehacker.
Updated
Expert reviewedExpert reviewedThis article has been reviewed by a member of ourFinancial Review Council to ensure all sources, statistics, and claims meet the highest standard for accurate and unbiased advice.Learn more about oureditorial review process.
Compare home insurance quotes: Find the best coverage & rates today
Comparing home insurance quotes from multiple insurers is the best way to find the right coverage for your needs at the cheapest price. We'll break down the information you'll need to get a quote and how to compare different offers using one of our Policygenius insurance agents.
Key takeaways
A home insurance quote is an estimate of how much you'll pay for a homeowners insurance policy.
Your homeowners insurance quote is based on several factors, including how much coverage you need, your home's location, and your policy deductible.
To ensure you're not missing out on the best coverage and rates, you should compare quotes from at least three companies.
You can compare quotes from different companies through a home insurance marketplace like Policygenius — all for free and with minimal information or effort required. Simply provide your home's address and a couple of other details, and we'll run your quotes.
Shoppers have saved an average of 30% on their home insurance
We don't sell your information to third parties.
What is homeowners insurance?
Homeowners insurance is a form of property insurance that protects your home and personal belongings in the event they're destroyed by a covered loss, like a fire or windstorm. It can also protect your assets in the event you're found legally responsible for someone's injury or damage to their property.
What is a home insurance quote?
A home insurance quote is an estimate of how much you’ll pay for a policy based on details about your home, credit score, claims history, and coverage limits. All insurance companies have their own way of calculating quotes, so premium estimates can vary widely across insurers.
How to compare home insurance quotes
When you compare homeowners insurance quotes, it's important to consider more than just the cheapest option. More precisely, you'll want to look at which company offers the best price on the amount of coverage that you need.
Here’s a step-by-step look at how to compare home insurance quotes.
1. Decide where to get homeowners insurance quotes
Your first order of business will be deciding how you'd like to get home insurance quotes. There are generally three main options for finding and purchasing a policy:
Online marketplaces: Compare home insurance quotes from multiple companies and purchase your new policy for free through an online insurance marketplace like Policygenius.
Independent agents or brokers: Compare quotes through a local independent insurance agent that represents several different insurance companies. You can also hire an independent home insurance broker to help you find a policy, though they may charge a fee for their services.
Captive agents: Captive agents, such as State Farm agents, only work with a single insurance company. Comparison shopping through captive agents isn't recommended, as it's extremely time-consuming having to reach out to multiple agents from different insurance companies yourself to get quotes.
If you prefer purchasing insurance on the phone or in person, then a local independent agent or broker is probably your best bet.
But if speed, value, and overall ease-of-use are your priorities, then we recommend getting home insurance quotes through our online marketplace at Policygenius. Simply click the Get free quotes button anywhere on this page to get started.
Genius tip: Information you’ll need for your home insurance quote
For a potentially faster and more accurate home insurance quote comparison, consider having the following information on-hand.
Address of the property
Square footage
Year built
Number of residents and your relation to them
The age and material of your roof
Home heating type
Home foundation type
Your claims history
Number of pets and the breed of any dogs you may own
Recent home improvements or renovations
Information about protective devices like fire sprinklers, security systems, or fire alarms
2. Consider what type of home insurance you need
Most insurance providers, including Policygenius, can provide you with an estimate of your home's replacement cost and other coverage limits you'll likely need.
Your job is to decide between three different policy types:
HO-2 policy: Provides the least amount of protection for your home and belongings, but is potentially more affordable
HO-5 policy: Provides the most complete protection for both your home and belongings, but is generally more expensive
HO-3 policy: The most common home insurance policy, this provides protection that's somewhere in between the two listed above.
The following perils are generally covered in a standard homeowners insurance policy, whether you opt for a basic or more comprehensive policy.
1. Fire or lightning
2. Windstorm and hail
3. Explosions
4. Riot or civil commotion
5. Damage caused by aircraft
6. Damage caused by vehicles
7. Smoke
8. Volcanic eruption
9. Vandalism and malicious mischief
10. Theft
11. Falling objects
12. Weight of snow, ice, or sleet
13. Accidental discharge/overflow of water
14. Sudden tearing/cracking of appliances
15. Freezing
16. Power surges
What home insurance does NOT usually cover
Generally, HO-3 and HO-5 homeowners insurance policies will cover your home and personal belongings against most types of damage or losses. However, there are several common disasters and liability-related expenses that are not covered by any home insurance policy unless you purchase additional coverage.
Genius tip: Additional insurance you can get quotes for
Most standard homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage to your home or belongings that’s caused by earthquakes or floods, but you can purchase additional coverage or compare standalone insurance policies to make sure you're protected.
Flood insurance: Homeowners insurance never includes coverage for damage caused by flooding. A licensed insurance expert at Policygenius can help you compare quotes from private flood insurers or help get you set up with a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) — a FEMA-backed program.
Earthquake insurance: Homeowners insurance also doesn’t cover earthquake damage. Depending on the company, you may be able to purchase earthquake coverage for your home insurance or a separate earthquake insurance policy.
3. Evaluate how much of each coverage you need
A basic homeowners insurance policy comes with six main coverages that cover the cost to rebuild your home, replace your personal belongings, protect your assets from expensive lawsuits, and more.
Here's a rundown of what each coverage does and how much of each one you generally need.
Pays for guests' medical bills from minor injuries — regardless of who’s at fault
$1,000 to $5,000
Collapse table
In addition to deciding how much of each coverage you need, you should also look at how claim settlements are determined when comparing policies from different companies.
Here are the two main loss-settlement options for dwelling and personal property coverage claims:
Actual cash value: The cheapest option, actual cash value reimburses you for the value of your property minusthe cost of depreciation, or wear and tear. This leaves you paying more out of pocket when you file a claim.
Replacement cost value: This level of coverage reimburses you for the value of your property at today’s prices. Replacement cost coverage provides larger payouts when you make a claim compared to actual cash value.
Most standard home insurance policies come with replacement cost dwelling coverage and actual cash value personal property coverage by default.
For an additional cost, you may have the option to upgrade your personal property coverage to replacement cost to ensure depreciation isn't subtracted from personal property claim payouts.
Most companies also offer extended replacement cost dwelling coverage, which increases your dwelling coverage limit an extra 25% to 50% — whichever amount you choose — in the event the cost to rebuild your home exceeds your coverage limits. And some even go a step further and offer guaranteed replacement cost coverage, which pays the full cost of rebuilding your home after a covered loss regardless of whether this amount exceeds your policy limits or not.
How do I know how much home insurance I need?
Homeowners insurance coverage needs vary from homeowner to homeowner. In general, your coverage amounts should be high enough to cover your home’s rebuild cost (meaning the cost to rebuild it completely if it were destroyed), the monetary value of your personal belongings, and your combined assets. If you need flood or earthquake coverage, you’ll need to buy those separately.
Shoppers have saved an average of 30% on their home insurance
We don't sell your information to third parties.
How can I get a good deal on my home insurance?
You’ll want to compare quotes to choose the insurer and policy that offers the coverage you need at the most affordable cost. Look for companies that offer discounts, like money off for bundling your home and auto insurance.
Sample home insurance quote comparison
Here's an example of two quotes you might get for home insurance coverage and how to compare them.
Annual premium: $2,035
Dwelling coverage: $300,000 with extended replacement coverage
Personal property coverage: $150,000 with actual cash value coverage
Personal liability coverage: $500,000
Standard deductible: $2,000
Wind/hail deductible: 3% of dwelling coverage ($9,000)
Annual premium: $2,627
Dwelling coverage: $300,000 with guaranteed replacement coverage
Personal property coverage: $150,000 with replacement cost coverage
Personal liability coverage: $500,000
Standard deductible: $500
Wind/hail deductible: 5% of dwelling coverage ($15,000)
Quotes are used for illustrative purposes only. Actual rates and coverage limits will vary by customer.
Looking at the two fictional quotes above, you can see that while State Farm has higher premiums than Allstate, you only have to pay $500 when you file a standard claim — versus $2,000 with Allstate.
You'll also notice that both State Farm and Allstate have the same coverage limits for your dwelling and personal property. However, State Farm's quote comes with more comprehensive protection in the form of guaranteed replacement cost coverage for your house and replacement cost coverage for your belongings.
Comparing all of these different coverage types and limits can help you determine which quote makes the most sense for your needs and budget.
How to find the best home insurance quote
To help you compare the best home insurance quotes from Policygenius, our team of home insurance experts gave each of the largest home insurance companies in the U.S. by market share a Policygenius rating.
To rate each company, we compared average home insurance premiums and discounts, additional coverage options available — like flood endorsements and inflation guard protection, customer satisfaction scores with J.D. Power, and financial strength ratings with AM Best.
When comparing rates in your best home insurance quotes, keep in mind that the average annual cost of home insurance is $1,754 for a policy with $300,000 in dwelling coverage.
* Based on 2022 sample homeowners insurance quotes for a home with $300,000 in dwelling coverage and a $1,000 deductible
** Based on J.D. Power's latest home insurance customer satisfaction survey released in September 2022
*** USAA isn't officially ranked with J.D. Power due to eligibility
Like our Policygenius ratings, our home insurance reviews are based on the same factors to consider while comparing home insurance quotes, including average rates, coverage options, customer service, and financial ratings. And for a more personalized recommendation, you can refer to our list of the best home insurance companies for a variety of coverage needs and preferences.
Here’s an in-depth look at five top rated companies that offer home insurance quotes through Policygenius.
2024 Policygenius award winner
Allstate
Policygenius rating
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.4
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
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Why we chose it
Allstate is one of the most popular home insurance providers in the country thanks to several customizable options, unique coverage add-ons like short-term rental coverage, and availability in all 50 states.
Pros and cons
Pros
High-quality and flexible policy options
Numerous discounts and features that help you save
Below-average customer complaints
Cons
No longer sells home insurance policies in California
Below-average digital experience rating with J.D. Power
More details
While its customer satisfaction score with J.D. Power is slightly below the industry average, it received fewer customer complaints from 2019 to 2021 compared to other companies its size, according to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC).
And with an average premium of $1,650 per year, you can expect your Allstate insurance home quote estimate to hover right around the national average.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
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$
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$
Why we chose it
Nationwide home insurance features a slew of comprehensive coverage options. It also received high marks for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power, indicating you can rely on Nationwide when it matters most.
Pros and cons
Pros
Multiple high-quality coverage options
Highly rated for claims satisfaction with J.D. Power
Available in most states
Cons
Below-average customer satisfaction and digital experience ratings
Won’t cover Airbnbs or other short-term rentals
More details
With an average premium of $1,966 per year, Nationwide home insurance is a hair more expensive than the national average. But it offers plenty of discounts to help keep your rates down, including discounts if you recently renovated your home or invested in a qualifying smart home device, and a home and auto bundling discount that can help you save an average of 13% on premiums.
But where Nationwide really stands out is its enhanced dwelling coverage options, offering both extended and guaranteed replacement cost — two coverages that belong on every home policy in disaster-prone states.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.6
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A-
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
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Why we chose it
Openly insures homes up to $5 million with its impressive lineup of customizable policy add-ons that come with high coverage limits — and the best part? Its rates are surprisingly affordable considering its high-net worth customer base.
Pros and cons
Pros
Offers up to $5 million in coverage for high-value homes
Robust lineup of policy add-ons with high limits to customize coverage to fit your needs
No restrictions on pools without fences or dangerous dog breeds
Cons
Only available in 21 states
Fewer home insurance discounts than competitors
Not included in J.D. Power’s customer satisfaction studies
More details
Despite being founded in 2017, Openly has wasted no time becoming one of the best home insurance options for high net-worth homeowners looking for dwelling coverage limits of up to $5 million and higher limits of protection for expensive valuables and keepsakes.
With an average premium of $1,125 per year, Openly home insurance is significantly cheaper than the national average — though keep in mind that it only writes policies in 21 states.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.5
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A+
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
NA
Why we chose it
Progressive is ideal if you’re looking to purchase home and auto insurance policies at the same time to score discounts on your premiums.
Pros and cons
Pros
Available in all states except Alaska and Hawaii
Slew of policy and discount options available
Easy-to-use app to manage policy
Cons
Not a direct insurance carrier
Cost varies by company Progressive places you with
Customer service & claims options vary by company
More details
With availability in all states except two and a generous multi-policy discount, Progressive is the ideal insurance company for homeowners who have a car or other types of property to insure. It also earned an above-average rating in J.D. Power’s 2022 digital experience study, indicating customer satisfaction with Progressive’s mobile and web experience.
However, Progressive isn’t a direct insurance carrier. This means your coverage, rates, and claims experience will depend on which company it places you with. Because of this, Progressive may not be the best choice for homeowners who prefer paying their bills and filing claims all with one company.
Our proprietary rating methodology takes multiple factors into account, including customer satisfaction, cost, financial strength, and policy offerings. See the "methodology" section for more details.
4.4
AM Best rating
AM Best is a global credit rating agency that scores the financial strength of insurance companies on a scale from A++ (Superior) to D (Poor).
A++
Cost
Using a mix of internal and external rate data, we grade the cost of each insurance company's premiums on a scale from least expensive ($) to most expensive ($$$$$).
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Why we chose it
Travelers is one of the oldest and most trusted home insurance providers in the business thanks to its industry-best financial ratings, flexible policy options for most home types and budgets, and availability in nearly every U.S. state.
Pros and cons
Pros
Green home coverage and discounts
Offers short-term rental coverage for Airbnb hosts
Doesn’t require prior insurance on the home
Cons
Subpar customer service ratings with J.D. Power
Underwhelming number of available discounts
More details
Travelers is one of our top-rated home insurance providers, featuring average rates below the national average, flexible policy options for most home types and situations, unique coverages like green home and short-term rental protection, and the highest AM Best rating (A++) a company can receive.
However, Travelers offers fewer discounts than most companies of its size, and its scores in J.D. Power’s 2022 customer satisfaction, claims, and digital experience surveys indicate that Travelers’ customer service could use some improvement.
While our reviews can help familiarize you with each company’s strengths and weaknesses and inform your comparison, the best home insurance for you are based on factors specific to you and your home. At Policygenius, our customers save an average of 30% on homeowners insurance while also securing the best coverage for their needs thanks to our extensive mix of company and policy options.
Shoppers have saved an average of 30% on their home insurance
We don't sell your information to third parties.
Find the cheapest home insurance quote in your state
Along with coverage limits, your home's location has a major impact on your home insurance rates. States with frequent hurricanes, wildfires, and other disasters often have higher average home insurance rates than those with more mild weather.
Select your state to see the average homeowners insurance rate
Are there different homeowners insurance requirements by state?
No, homeowners insurance is not required by law in any state. However, most lenders will require proof of home insurance before you can close on a property.
The latest research & surveys from Policygenius
Home Insurance Pricing Report
Home insurance prices are roughly 35% higher nationally compared to two years ago, with several wildfire and tornado-prone states accounting for the largest average increases.
Average savings of 30% per year on home insurance: Savings are determined by calculating the average difference between the lowest and second lowest home insurance policy estimates provided to shoppers with two or more estimates between 06/01/2020 and 05/18/2021. Potential savings are based on a composite of multiple different contracts and insurers. Not all policies in this calculation are available in all states, and availability may be based on eligibility. Savings may vary by policy amount and location.
Average home insurance cost: Policygenius has analyzed home insurance rates provided by Quadrant Information Services in March 2022 for ZIP codes in all 50 states plus Washington, D.C., for a 40-year-old female homeowner with no claim history, good credit, a $1,000 deductible, and the following coverage limits:
Dwelling: $300,000
Other structures: $30,000
Personal property: $150,000
Loss of use: $60,000
Liability: $300,000
Medical: $1,000
All rates based on the above coverage limits except where otherwise noted.
Some carriers may be represented by affiliates or subsidiaries. Rates provided are a sample of costs. Your actual quotes may differ.
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Policygenius has near-perfect ratings on Trustpilot, BBB, and Google. Here's what our customers are saying.
Amazingly easy process
I had a very good experience using Policygenius. They did most [of] the heavy lifting and made everything super easy. They sent me timely reminders which were helpful. I would 100% recommend using them.
Rahul,December 14th
Policygenius made the process easy!
Policygenius made the process easy to navigate. The representatives were helpful and attentive to my questions. They were persistent in trying to help me find the best insurance for my current life goals. Once they connected me with insurance agents, the application process was relatively quick and, again, easy to navigate. I'd recommend them to anyone!
Kimberly,February 2nd
This was an easy and simple process
This was an easy and simple process. It was not stressful at all. All of my questions were answered. I felt seen and listened to throughout the process. If you are on the fence don’t be you will not regret the decision to use this service.
Karen,April 13th
Knowledgeable, Responsive and Courteous
The team quickly assessed my needs, they were knowledgeable of the products, and articulated a recommendation that was the best fit. The application process was simple, and they were available at each stage of the process to ensure the application was moving along. A great experience!
Pat Howard is a licensed insurance expert and managing editor at Policygenius. Pat has written extensively about the home insurance industry and his insights as a subject matter expert have appeared in several top tier publications, including The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, and Reuters. Pat has a bachelor's degree in journalism from Michigan State University.
Jennifer Gimbel is a senior managing editor at Policygenius, where she oversees all of our insurance coverage. Previously, she was the managing editor at Finder.com and a content strategist at Babble.com.
Fabio Faschi is a licensed property and casualty insurance agent. His expertise on home and auto insurance has been featured on Forbes, Consumer Affairs, Realtor.com, Apartment Therapy, SFGATE, Bankrate, and Lifehacker.