Title: How Do You Shop Around For Home Insurance—Or Do You Just Stick With The Same Company?
I hear you on the value of having an agent who knows your situation inside and out. That can really make a difference, especially when things get complicated. But honestly, in my line of work, I’ve seen too many people get burned by just assuming their coverage is still what they need year after year.
I had a client last spring—she’d been with the same insurer for over a decade, never questioned a thing. Then her basement flooded and she found out water damage wasn’t even covered under her policy. She was convinced she’d been told otherwise years ago, but the fine print had changed at some point and nobody flagged it for her. It was a mess. Ever since then, I’ve been pretty skeptical about just sticking with the same company out of habit.
That said, I get why folks don’t want to switch all the time. There’s something to be said for loyalty discounts, or just not wanting to deal with the paperwork headache every year. But I’m with you—at least skim through the coverage details at renewal, even if you’re not planning to jump ship. Sometimes those little changes sneak in, or you realize your needs have shifted (like if you finish a basement or add a home office).
Price is important, but I think peace of mind is worth more in the long run. I’d rather pay a bit extra than find out I’m underinsured when something goes wrong... but if there’s better coverage for less somewhere else, why not? Just takes a bit of homework each year—never hurts to double-check.
Just takes a bit of homework each year—never hurts to double-check.
Yeah, that’s the thing—insurance is one of those “set it and forget it” bills for a lot of people, but that can backfire. I always check the renewal docs, even if it’s just while I’m half-watching TV. Not the most exciting way to spend an evening, but way better than getting a nasty surprise later. I’d rather deal with a little paperwork than a big headache (or a hit to my credit) if something goes sideways.
I get where you’re coming from, but I actually think sticking with the same company can pay off sometimes—especially if you’ve built up loyalty discounts or bundled policies. I’ve seen folks jump ship for a slightly lower rate, only to lose out on perks or get hit with weird fees later. I usually tell clients to compare every couple years, not necessarily every single renewal. Sometimes the hassle just isn’t worth the $40 difference, you know?
I hear you on the loyalty perks—my parents stuck with their insurer for 20+ years and got a few nice breaks. But I’ve also seen credit reports where people didn’t realize their rates crept up over time, just because they never checked. Personally, I do a quick comparison every couple years, but I don’t always switch unless there’s a big difference or my needs change. One time, I almost switched for $30 less, but the new company wanted a credit pull and extra paperwork... not worth it for me.
One time, I almost switched for $30 less, but the new company wanted a credit pull and extra paperwork... not worth it for me.
That’s pretty much my experience too. I’ve seen clients get hung up on saving a few bucks, but after factoring in the hassle—credit checks, new inspections, sometimes even gaps in coverage—it’s rarely worth it unless there’s a big jump in price or your situation changes. Loyalty perks are nice, but insurers count on folks not noticing those slow rate hikes. I always tell people: check every couple years, but don’t feel pressured to jump ship for pocket change. Sometimes the devil you know is better...
