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    Home Insurance Shopping

    Compare every 2-3 years.

    Major insurers

    • State Farm — largest US insurer.
    • USAA — military families only.
    • Allstate.
    • Liberty Mutual.
    • Travelers.
    • Nationwide.

    Senior discounts

    • Retired senior discount common (5-10%).
    • Loyal customer discount.
    • Bundle home + auto = 15-25%.
    • Security system = 5-15%.
    • Smart water shutoff = 5-10%.
    • Ask for ALL discounts.

    Compare quotes

    • Get quotes from 3-5 insurers.
    • Same coverage levels for fair compare.
    • Policygenius — free aggregator.
    • The Zebra — comparison site.
    • Direct quotes from insurer websites.
    • Save $300-$1,000+ yearly.

    Coverage essentials

    • Dwelling coverage = rebuild value.
    • Personal property = belongings.
    • Liability = if someone hurt at your home.
    • Loss of use = hotel if displaced.
    • Flood + earthquake separate (not standard).
    • Verify coverage matches actual values.

    Save money

    • Raise deductible from $500 to $1,000 — save 10%.
    • Bundle with auto.
    • Update insurer on home improvements.
    • New roof, electrical = lower rates.
    • Shop around every 2-3 years.
    • Negotiate at renewal.

    Document inventory

    • Video walkthrough of home + belongings.
    • Open every closet + drawer.
    • Backup to cloud.
    • Critical for claims after disaster.
    • Update yearly.
    • Saves weeks if you need to claim.

    Shop every 2-3 years

    Insurance loyalty rarely pays. After 2-3 years with same insurer, your rate often inflates. Get fresh quotes from competitors. Bring quote to current insurer — often they'll match. If not, switch. Many seniors save $500-$1,500/year with this routine. Set calendar reminder.