Here's what you need to know about homeowners insurance — and how to get the best rate

Your home is one of the biggest financial investments you’ll ever make, so protecting it against risks like damage, theft and vandalism is a no-brainer.

A recent report from the CFA highlights a sharp increase in premiums between 2021 and 2024, when the average homeowners’ insurance rate climbed 24% to $3,303. That’s significantly higher than the average property tax rate in 2023, which was $1,889, according to the Tax Foundation.

If this pace were to continue, many homeowners could see their insurance rate double in roughly 10 years.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get reasonably priced home insurance for your property, even if you live in a disaster-prone area. Taking proactive steps to make your home more resilient — whether it's upgrading your roof or moving combustible materials to at least 10 meters away from your house, can go a long way.

To get the best deal possible on coverage for your home — no matter where you live — consider comparing multiple home insurance providers. Normally, shopping around for insurance quotes takes forever, and it's a hassle to field multiple phone calls from different insurance agents.

But with BestMoney, you can find the lowest prices on home insurance online in under 2 minutes.

Compare rates, save up to $980 a year

Using BestMoney to compare rates is free and simple.

Just fill in a bit of information and BestMoney will instantly find the best deals available in your area with zero impact on your credit score.

You’ll be able to review all your offers and quickly find the coverage you need for the lowest possible cost, saving as much as $980 a year.

What does home insurance usually cover?

Basic home insurance policies cover dwelling coverage, personal property like furniture and electronic items, third-party liability, and temporary relocation and housing expenses. But you can customize your policy based on your needs. If you’ve significantly upgraded your house – with an outdoor pool or a new fence, for example – you can upgrade your existing coverage to cover those.

In case important documents are stolen from your home, you can also fall victim to identity theft, which can cause substantial financial harm. In 2024, 12% of identity theft victims lost over $10,000, according to data from Statista.

Add-on coverage for identity theft can help you in such situations, reimbursing you for costs to restore your identity and fixing your credit score.

You can view the add-on services and their costs offered by various insurance providers near you through BestMoney.com, helping you make an informed decision.

What isn't covered by home insurance?

Willful negligence and wear and tear are usually not covered under home insurance policies. Mold or vermin infestations like termites or bed bugs are typically also not covered.

If you live in a flood-prone area, chances are your private home insurance provider doesn’t cover flooding from outside the home. You can get separate flood insurance coverage from the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP), which is backed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

The coverage offered by NFIP is limited to $250,000 for your house or dwelling and $100,000 for your personal belongings. It doesn’t cover temporary living expenses during the time your home is being repaired or any external property like swimming pools or gazebos.

If your home’s value exceeds the NFIP coverage limits, you may need to purchase additional private flood insurance.

Save money while protecting your home

Home insurance premiums keep going up, so the longer you wait, the more you may end up paying.

BestMoney makes it easy to find the best rate available — take a few minutes today and get your home the protection it deserves.