Home Insurance Quotes

Getting the right coverage for your home that protects your investment entirely is a critical step you should take seriously. After all, your home is not just your castle but likely one of the most significant investments you will ever make. You need to make sure you protect your home and its contents from any foreseeable disaster. With the help of Citizens Home Insurance quotes, getting your home insured at a great rate is easier than ever. To begin a quote, just enter your zip code and answer a few simple questions.

Let’s take a close-up look at ways to save on homeowners coverage while getting the policy that is right for you. Whether you live in Florida or Michigan and everywhere in between, Citizens can get you covered with solid protection at affordable rates.

Average Home Insurance Cost

Home insurance costs continue to trend upward, especially in Florida, where natural disasters are more common. In the last decade alone, the average home insurance cost has risen by about 50%. The current national average policy cost is about $950 annually in the U.S. This average breaks down to about $79 per month. 

Keep in mind that this is just an average of all 50 states in the USA. Some states have barely increased at all, while others like Florida have almost doubled. Florida’s rates have grown a great deal due to several catastrophic hurricanes that caused billions in damages. Also, there’s been an increase in sinkhole disasters in the Sunshine State. These catastrophes have caused rates to spike in some areas more prone to sinkholes.    

Florida Residents pay more for Homeowners Coverage

Many insurers were either forced to raise rates in the Florida market or pull out altogether due to heavy losses. Other states with high premiums of 40% or more above the average are Louisiana and Texas. Louisiana has seen an increase in rates due to Hurricane Katrina and other natural disasters. Residents in coastal areas with a recent history of costly storms have seen the most significant increases in pricing over the past few years.

There are still some states that have meager average homeowners insurance rates. Idaho residents pay an average of only $50 monthly, and Utah residents only pay $783 per year or about $65 per month. This figure is about 40% of the average premium cost Florida residents pay. Many Midwestern states also have cheaper homeowners costs, like South Dakota and Michigan. Get free home insurance quotes today, and compare multiple rates in a matter of minutes.

Best Home Insurance Coverage

You should carefully review these four categories before buying homeowners insurance coverage:

• Company (Check reviews and complaints) 
• Coverage
• Price
• Claim history
• Financial Stability of the Insurer

Whenever you buy insurance, you are putting trust in the company you are doing business with, which in the event you make a claim, there will be money available to compensate you. Choosing the right home insurance company is just as important as purchasing the proper coverage. 

It would help if you did your due diligence on any carrier you plan on insuring your home with. Go to sites like A.M. Best and research the financial strength of each company. Make sure they have a B or better rating. Any insurer that has a D or lower financial rating stays away from.   

If you are getting auto insurance, you can probably get away with a B or maybe even a lower rating. However, this is your home we are talking about and all of the contents inside. It makes sense to be super careful when deciding on a carrier. Only entrust your home insurance with quality, financially stable firms like Citizens Insurance Company. Also, make sure each insurer has been in business for at least ten years and research their claim history. 

Home Insurance Advice

The coverage you buy should cover the actual cost of replacing your home if a total loss occurred. For example, let’s say your home is appraised at $300,000. However, in the case of a total loss like a fire, it might cost $325,000 to rebuild. You also need to take a proper inventory of your home contents and their total value. It’s a good idea to take a digital camera or film each personal asset you plan on adding to your policy. If you live in a high water damage risk area like Florida, you can add flood insurance to your policy or purchase it directly through an agent recommended at FloodSmart.gov. 

If you are moving and are looking at several homes you’re considering buying, get a home insurance quote before you decide. At Citizens, you can get an online quote in about five minutes using your smartphone or call toll-free to speak to a licensed agent.   

Pricing Is a Huge Factor You Should Carefully Take Into Consideration

Rates can vary significantly between each company, so you need to compare multiple quotes, to get the lowest price for the coverage you need. The best way to research the lowest rates is by getting a free online quote. You can compare multiple rates online and choose the companies that have the cheapest rates. Get your quote now and start comparing home insurance quotes in minutes. 

Once you have found a company with low prices and excellent financial strength, do a few more minutes of research. Ensure the company has a quality website that allows you to make payments online and has claim updates at the site. Check the company’s claim response rankings with research firms like J.D. Power. Some carriers have 24/7 service and immediate application response. If you are ever in a bad situation, like a tornado that has left you homeless at 3 in the morning, instant claim assistance is super valuable. 

Make Sure You Get All the Discounts You Qualify for

You can save a lot of money by bundling both your home and auto insurance policies with one insurer. You can get even better rates by installing alarm monitoring systems and fire detectors throughout your home. If you add fire-resistant materials to your home, you can save even more. 

Taking advantage of discounts can help you save hundreds per year. Now that you know how to buy quality home insurance coverage, it’s time to compare side-by-side quotes from Citizens and other top insurers. Start your online home insurance quote now by entering your zip code. Check out the best rates and lower your home insurance premium.