To compare quotes for homeowner's insurance, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
Does my state allow this insurance company to sell homeowner's insurance?
You should never buy homeowner's insurance from a company that isn't licenced to sell it in your state. It could be a scam, and you wouldn't be able to get help from your state's insurance department if you had any problems with the insurance company.
Is this homeowner's insurance company known to be good with money?
Since the insurance industry is heavily regulated, it's unlikely that an insurance company will go bankrupt while you have a policy. However, some insurance companies may be under close watch. The rating of a home owner insurance company will tell you if the company is financially stable and if it is being watched. You can look for independent research companies on the Internet and find out how insurance companies are rated.
Which of these insurance companies do my neighbours get insurance for their homes?
If your neighbours buy homeowner's insurance from the companies you're looking at, ask them how they like those companies. Are they happy with it? Do insurance companies stick to what they say they'll cover? Do rates change for no reason?
Am I covering everything that needs to be?
If you don't list everything you want covered, including your valuables, your homeowner's insurance policy won't be accurate. You'll get the coverage you bought for the price you were quoted, but if something happens to something that isn't covered by the policy, you'll have to pay to fix or replace it.
Do I have a lot of options for extra coverage from which to pick?
Lastly, you want to be able to choose what extra coverage you want from your homeowner's insurance company. Make sure that the quotes you're looking at are from companies that give you this kind of freedom.
