Why Compare Home Insurance With an Independent Agent?
When you call a captive insurance company directly, you get one quote from one carrier. That means you have no way of knowing whether you are overpaying or under-covered. An independent agent like Better Choice Insurance Group works differently. We represent 22+ carriers and can compare your home insurance quotes side-by-side in minutes, not days.
Our agents analyze your property details, personal risk profile, and coverage needs, then match you with the carrier that offers the strongest protection at the most competitive price. Because we are not tied to any single insurer, our only loyalty is to you. If a carrier raises your rate at renewal, we re-shop your policy across every available option to make sure you are always getting the best deal.
The result? Our clients save an average of $900 or more per year compared to their previous carrier, and they gain a dedicated advocate who handles claims, policy changes, and annual reviews on their behalf.
What Does Homeowners Insurance Cover?
A standard homeowners insurance policy (HO-3) provides six core coverages. Understanding each one helps you choose the right limits and avoid gaps in protection.
Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)
Dwelling coverage pays to repair or rebuild your home if it is damaged or destroyed by a covered peril such as fire, windstorm, hail, lightning, or vandalism. Your dwelling limit should reflect the full replacement cost of your home, which is the amount it would cost to rebuild the structure from the ground up using similar materials and quality. This is not the same as your home's market value or your mortgage balance.
Other Structures Coverage (Coverage B)
This coverage protects detached structures on your property, including fences, detached garages, sheds, gazebos, and driveways. It is typically set at 10% of your dwelling coverage limit. If you have a large detached garage, workshop, or pool house, you may need to increase this limit.
Personal Property Coverage (Coverage C)
Personal property coverage reimburses you for belongings that are stolen, damaged, or destroyed. This includes furniture, electronics, clothing, appliances, and more. Most policies default to 50-70% of your dwelling limit. High-value items like jewelry, art, firearms, and collectibles may have sub-limits and may require a scheduled rider for full protection.
Loss of Use Coverage (Coverage D)
If your home becomes uninhabitable due to a covered loss, loss of use coverage pays for additional living expenses such as hotel stays, restaurant meals, and temporary housing. This coverage continues until your home is repaired or you find a permanent replacement, up to your policy limit. It is typically set at 20-30% of your dwelling limit.
Personal Liability Coverage (Coverage E)
Liability coverage protects you if someone is injured on your property or if you accidentally cause damage to someone else's property. It covers legal defense costs, medical bills, and court-awarded damages. Standard policies start at $100,000, but most agents recommend at least $300,000 to $500,000. For additional protection, consider an umbrella policy.
Medical Payments Coverage (Coverage F)
Medical payments coverage pays for minor medical expenses if a guest is injured on your property, regardless of fault. This coverage is designed to handle small claims without the need for a liability lawsuit. It typically ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 per person and covers expenses like ambulance rides, X-rays, and emergency room visits.
What Homeowners Insurance Does NOT Cover
Standard homeowners insurance excludes certain types of damage. Understanding these exclusions helps you decide whether to purchase additional coverage.
- Floods: Flood damage is excluded from all standard homeowners policies. If you live in a flood-prone area, you will need a separate flood insurance policy through the NFIP or a private flood carrier.
- Earthquakes: Earthquake damage requires a separate earthquake policy or endorsement. This is most relevant for homeowners in seismically active regions.
- Sewer & Water Backup: Damage caused by sewer backup or sump pump failure is excluded by default. However, most carriers offer an affordable endorsement (typically $50-$100/year) that adds this coverage. We strongly recommend it.
- Normal Wear and Tear: Homeowners insurance covers sudden, accidental damage, not gradual deterioration. Maintenance-related issues like a slowly leaking roof or aging plumbing are your responsibility as a homeowner.
- Intentional Damage: Any damage you cause deliberately to your own property is never covered.
Home Insurance Cost by State
Home insurance premiums vary significantly based on your state, home value, construction type, and claims history. Below are average annual premium ranges for the states we serve.
| State | Avg. Annual Premium | Avg. Dwelling Coverage | Key Factors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $1,200 – $2,800 | $250,000 – $500,000 | Hail, wind, winter storms |
| Minnesota | $1,400 – $3,200 | $250,000 – $500,000 | Hail, harsh winters, ice dams |
| Texas | $1,800 – $4,500 | $250,000 – $500,000 | Hail, hurricanes, wind |
| Indiana | $1,100 – $2,600 | $200,000 – $400,000 | Tornadoes, hail, wind |
These ranges are estimates based on common policy configurations. Your actual premium depends on your home's unique characteristics. Get a personalized quote to see your exact rate.
Home Insurance Discounts
We help you take advantage of every available discount. Here are some of the most common ways to lower your homeowners insurance premium.
New Home Discount
Homes built within the last 10-15 years often qualify for discounts of 10-25% because newer construction uses updated building codes and materials.
Bundling Discount
Combine your home and auto insurance with the same carrier to save 10-25%. This is one of the easiest and most significant discounts available.
Protective Devices
Alarm systems, smoke detectors, deadbolts, fire extinguishers, and smart home monitoring can earn you 5-15% off your premium.
Claims-Free Discount
If you have not filed a claim in 3-5 years or more, many carriers reward you with a discount of 5-20%.
New Roof Discount
A roof replaced within the last 5-10 years can significantly reduce your premium, especially in hail-prone states like Illinois and Texas.
Paid-in-Full Discount
Pay your annual premium in one lump sum instead of monthly installments to save 5-10%. No finance charges and fewer billing hassles.
Loyalty Discount
Stay with the same carrier for multiple years and earn increasing loyalty discounts, typically 5-10% after 3+ years.
Our Carrier Partners
We work with 22+ top-rated insurance carriers to bring you the best home insurance options. Each carrier has different strengths, pricing models, and appetites, which is why comparing them all is so valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your dwelling coverage should equal the full replacement cost of your home, which is the cost to rebuild it from the ground up. This is different from your home's market value. Your agent can help you calculate the correct replacement cost based on your home's square footage, construction materials, and features. We also recommend at least $300,000 in liability coverage and enough personal property coverage to replace your belongings.
Replacement cost pays to replace damaged items with new ones of similar kind and quality, without deducting for depreciation. Actual cash value (ACV) deducts depreciation, meaning you receive less as items age. We generally recommend replacement cost coverage for both your dwelling and personal property, as it provides more complete protection after a loss.
The most effective ways to lower your premium include: bundling with auto insurance (save 10-25%), increasing your deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 (save 10-15%), installing protective devices, maintaining a claims-free record, updating your roof, and working with an independent agent like Better Choice to compare rates across 22+ carriers every year.
Standard homeowners insurance does not cover flood damage. If your home is in a FEMA-designated flood zone, your mortgage lender will require flood insurance. Even if you are not in a high-risk zone, it may be wise to purchase a policy, since about 25% of flood claims come from moderate- to low-risk areas. We can help you compare flood insurance options.