How to Compare Homeowners Insurance Quotes Effectively

Four insurance quotes arrive with four different prices, and the temptation is to sort by cost and pick the lowest. Don't do that. A homeowners insurance quote is a collection of a dozen different numbers, and two policies with the same annual premium can have very different coverage. The cheapest policy is the cheapest policy until you file a claim.

Here's how to actually compare quotes so you can tell which one is the real deal.

Line Everything Up Apples-to-Apples

Before you compare prices, make sure every quote has the same:

Dwelling coverage limit (the amount to rebuild the house). Personal property coverage limit. Liability coverage limit. Standard deductible. Wind/hail deductible (if applicable). Loss-of-use coverage (ALE). Replacement cost vs. actual cash value on both dwelling and personal property.