How Do You Shop Around For Home Insurance—Or Do You Just Stick With The Same Company?

I totally get where you’re coming from. The “market changes” line is such a classic—

they acted like it was just “market changes.”

Here’s what worked for me last year when my premium shot up out of nowhere:

1. I made a spreadsheet (yeah, I’m that person) and listed out my current coverage details. That way, I could compare apples to apples.
2. I checked three online quote aggregators, then hit up two local agents for direct quotes.
3. Every time, I asked about discounts—bundling, security systems, even being a long-time customer (which, honestly, didn’t help much).
4. Before switching, I called my current provider and told them the best offer I’d found. Sometimes they’ll match it or throw in something extra.

I ended up switching companies after all that, but it took maybe two hours total and saved me $350/year. Loyalty just doesn’t seem to matter with insurance anymore... It’s kind of wild how much prices can vary for the exact same coverage.

That way, I could compare apples to apples. 2.

That’s a solid approach—love the spreadsheet idea. I’ve done almost the same, and you’re right: “Loyalty just doesn’t seem to matter with insurance anymore...” It’s wild how much you can save just by shopping around. Two hours for $350? Worth it every time.

I hear you on the loyalty thing—used to think sticking with one company would pay off, but honestly, it rarely does anymore. I’ve seen clients save hundreds just by running quotes every couple of years. The spreadsheet method’s great for keeping track, especially since coverage details can get confusing fast. One thing I’d add: double-check the fine print on deductibles and exclusions. Sometimes the cheapest premium isn’t actually the best deal if you ever need to file a claim...

Title: How Do You Shop Around For Home Insurance—Or Do You Just Stick With The Same Company?

- Couldn’t agree more about not assuming loyalty will save you money. I’ve run the numbers for a bunch of clients, and the difference between companies is often wild—sometimes for identical coverage.
- Spreadsheet’s definitely the way to go. I’ve seen folks lose track and accidentally downgrade their coverage just chasing a lower premium. Not fun when you actually need to file a claim.
- On the fine print: I’d add, watch out for “actual cash value” vs “replacement cost” on property. That one trips up a lot of people—cheaper policy, but you get less if something happens.
- Also, check for hidden discounts. Some companies sneak in loyalty or bundling perks that don’t show up on the initial quote. Sometimes it’s worth sticking around, but only if the math works.
- One last thing—if you have a local agent, sometimes they’ll go to bat for you with claims or weird situations. That’s not always baked into the online price comparison.

Bottom line: numbers don’t lie, but sometimes they hide stuff... always worth poking around before you settle.

Honestly, I get the whole “shop around every year” thing, but I’m not totally convinced it’s always worth the hassle. Especially after refinancing last year—my lender basically forced me to switch, and the process was a pain. I ended up with a slightly cheaper premium, but the new company’s customer service is... meh.

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“if you have a local agent, sometimes they’ll go to bat for you with claims or weird situations.”

- I get that spreadsheets help, but sometimes the “intangibles” (like a responsive agent) are worth a few extra bucks.
- Not sure if anyone else has noticed, but some companies jack up rates after a claim, even if you shop around. Loyalty discounts might not be huge, but sometimes they soften the blow.

Just saying, the lowest price isn’t always the best deal, especially if you ever actually need to use the insurance.