If you’re trying to get the best rate for your home insurance, it helps to have the right information handy. So, what information is needed for a home insurance quote? We have a good idea. Here’s what you should know when shopping for home insurance.
Why a home insurance quote is important
Most homeowners want to reduce expenses if they can. If that sounds like you, then it makes sense to compare home insurance quotes from time to time. There’s a chance you could lower your homeowners insurance premium, as not all carriers price their policies the same way.
Comparing home insurance quotes is also a great way to remind yourself of the coverage that you currently have—and need. Is it enough coverage for your present situation in life? Are you taking advantage of all available discounts? Getting a quote should help answer these questions.
Information you may need for a home insurance quote
While some home insurance companies can provide you with a quote just from your address, others may need additional information. With that in mind, it’s important to gather all the information you might need before you start. Doing this will speed up the homeowners quote process and ensure that your quote is accurate.
Here’s a quick checklist of information:
- Who lives at your home
- Details about your home
- Claims history
- Upgrades to your home
- Safety devices
Who lives at your house
There’s a strong chance you’ll be asked for the contact information of anyone who lives at your house. The insurance carrier may also ask how long you’ve lived there and if you own a dog or any other pets.
Details about your house
Information about your home’s physical structure helps the insurance carrier determine the cost to rebuild your home in case of a total loss. With that in mind, you should be prepared for the following questions:
- When was your house built?
- What type of roof do you have?
- How old is your roof?
- What is the square footage of your home?
- How many rooms does it have?
Your claims history
If you have not filed a claim in the past several years, you may be eligible for a home insurance discount. On the other hand, if you have a history of filing multiple claims, insurers may view the property as being more susceptible to damage.
Upgrades to your home
If you’ve made upgrades to your home, your existing homeowners policy may not reflect the current value and replacement cost of your home. Upgrades may include replacing the roof, finishing your basement, remodeling your kitchen and installing a central air system.
Safety devices
If your home has certain safety devices, you may qualify for a discount on your home insurance. Examples include fire sprinklers and internet-connected devices that protect you from theft, fire and water damage.
Apples-to-Apples Comparison
When quote-shopping, try to give the different home insurance carriers the same exact information. This way, you will be comparing quotes more fairly.
Risk factors that affect your quote
Anything that a home insurance carrier sees as a potential risk may impact your quote. These risk factors could include the location of your home, the age of your roof and how many home claims you’ve filed in the past. Remember, each carrier has its own method of evaluating risk factors.
- Location of home
- Size of home
- Age of home
- Distance to fire station
- Past claims
- Credit score
- Lifestyle choices
Location of home
Homes located close to the coast are sometimes considered high risk if the property is more likely to be damaged by high winds and flooding. As a result, homeowners in at-risk areas in some states might pay more for their homeowners insurance coverage. The same thing holds true for people who live in zip codes with high crime rates.
Size of home
Because a large, complex house is typically more expensive to rebuild and replace than a small ranch house, the cost to insure the large home might be more. The same principle applies to your personal belongings. If you have many valuable items, the cost to insure those belongings will typically be higher.
Age of home
It makes sense that older homes endure more wear and tear over the years than newer homes. If that’s the case, the structure of an older home, as well as its systems, is more likely to cause you problems.
Distance to fire station
Obviously, it’s an advantage if you live close to a fire station, as firefighters will have a better chance of saving your property if it catches fire. A property that’s located only one mile from the nearest fire station, therefore, will likely cost less to insure on average than one that’s 15 miles away.
Past claims
Home insurance carriers usually consider the number—and severity—of home claims that you have submitted over the years. The more claims that you file, the more likely an insurer will view the property as a risk. As a result, your home insurance quote may be higher.
Credit score
Personal attributes, like your credit score, can also affect your home insurance rate in some states. If you have a poor credit score, the cost of your insurance may be higher.
Lifestyle choices
Certain lifestyle choices can affect the cost of your home insurance, too. For example, having a swimming pool or owning certain breeds of dogs can increase your personal liability risk.
Other factors that affect your quote
Besides risk factors, there are other things that can affect your home insurance quote. These include the amount of coverage you need, your deductible amount and any discounts that you qualify for.
Coverage amount
How much coverage you have factors into your home insurance quote. For example, you may decide to add extra coverage for valuables like jewelry or electronics. Or you may decide to increase your personal property and personal liability coverage limits. Naturally, the more coverage you have, the higher your annual premium will likely be.
Deductibles
A deductible is the amount of money you pay out of pocket toward repair or replacement costs when you file a claim. As a homeowner, you get to decide how much you want your home insurance deductible to be.
| Deductible Amount | Out-of-Pocket Amount | Annual Premium |
| Higher | You pay more out of pocket if there’s a claim | Your annual premium is typically lower |
| Lower | You pay less out of pocket if there’s a claim | Your annual premium is typically higher |
Discounts
Home insurance companies offer a variety of discounts to help you lower the cost of your home insurance policy premium, whether you live in a house, condo or apartment. These discounts should be reflected in your home quote. For example, you could save if:
- You bundle your auto and home insurance
- You choose paperless billing
- You’ve gone the past several years without filing a claim on your homeowners insurance policy
- Your home is equipped with internet-connected devices that alert you in case of theft, fire or water damage
