Erie vs Chubb

Continued from above...

Most people don't have enough cash in the bank to cover a major portion of or even the entire cost of their home. It's probably the last thing you want to spend your money on when you're already paying a monthly mortgage. Having good home insurance is the best way to stay financially protected and ensure that you always have what it takes to repair and maintain your house if something goes wrong.

If you're a new homeowner, it may seem a little overwhelming to find an insurance policy. Luckily there are lots of companies available these days for you to choose from. Companies have gotten better at using layman's terms and really spelling out all their policies for you, so that you know what you'll be paying monthly, what the policy covers, and how to make a claim if you need to. Usually a company will offer a few different price ranges you can choose from, depending on how much coverage you think you need, and you can easily compare them to decide what works best with your budget and covers the risks that most threaten your property and surrounding area.

We've done some of the heavy lifting for you here by going over the process different companies require for you to get quotes and reviewing what people have to say about their customer service and follow-through with claims. When it comes to a situation regarding insurance, you don't want to mess around. We can't overstate the importance of being able to rely on a company that's affordable and will hold your hand while you navigate stressful situations.

Since there are quite a few insurance companies to choose from that have different types of policies, keep the following things in mind when choosing who to go with:

• Standard coverage. What are the basic things included with standard coverage through the insurance company?
• Optional add-ons. Every home, neighborhood, city, and state is different. That means that while one homeowner may need earthquake insurance, another may need flood insurance. Does the company have options to cover the specific risks in your area? Some also have add-ons for personal belongings like jewelry, so if this is something you might need, pay attention to what's available.
• Coverage limits. In any given situation, what is the maximum amount the company would pay out? Do you feel confident that it's enough to cover all the costs you may be facing?
• Deductible. Even though you pay a monthly fee to have home insurance, you'll still be responsible for an upfront portion of the cost of any damage you're dealing with. If you want a lower deductible, you may decide to choose a plan with a higher yearly premium instead.
• Customer satisfaction. When you find yourself in a crisis, you want to make sure you are working with a company that will help you every step of the way. Pay attention to what other customers say about their experience with the insurance company. Do they follow through with claims quickly and efficiently? Are their employees patient, kind, and easy to work with? What rating does the Better Business Bureau give the company?

Top Consumer Reviews has researched the most important things you'd need to know about choosing a home insurance plan. We hope this information helps you find peace of mind knowing that one of your most valuable assets is protected. We've tried to make things as easy as possible for you to feel confident in your decision about which home insurance company to go with.