Shopping Around: Resources for finding homeowner's insurance
Once you’ve established the criteria you want your homeowner’s insurance policy to cover, it’s a good idea to shop around before purchasing a plan. There are hundreds of insurance companies to choose from and you will want to find the best price for the most valuable coverage. Fortunately, there are many resources that can help you make a good decision about homeowner’s insurance.
If you have internet access, start by researching insurance companies on the web. Virtually every major insurance company has a website that offers information about policies and coverage. You can explore your options in the privacy of your home without dealing with the pressure of an agent. Once you’ve selected a few insurance companies, visit the National Association of Insurance Commissioners online at www.naic.org. This association was created to protect consumers and sets regulations for insurance companies. By visiting the consumer section of this site, you can investigate the companies you’ve selected and even research any complaints that have been filed against them.
If you don’t have internet access, the best place to start is with your local Yellow Pages. Contact a few different companies and talk to a representative about their policies and procedures. A lot of information can be revealed about an insurance company by the quality of their customer service. Usually, companies with understanding and patient representatives will have good reputations and handle claims with a professional and courteous attitude. After you’ve contacted some agents, talk to your neighbors, coworkers and friends about their insurance companies. Perhaps one of your friends had a particularly good experience with an insurance company and can recommend an agent for you to contact. Otherwise, call your state insurance department to investigate any complaints filed about your prospective insurance companies and narrow your choices accordingly.
Every homeowner wants to find an inexpensive insurance plan, but it’s important to get adequate coverage at the same time. Write down your insurance priorities ahead of time and stick to your guidelines. You don’t want to purchase a cheap policy that offers minimal coverage because you might actually have to use it someday.
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