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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
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Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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While we make money through partnerships with some of the brands we discuss in our articles, our editorial team operates 100% independently, and these partners never influence or affect the topics, reviews, ratings, or recommendations we provide. We never guarantee favorable reviews or mentions in exchange for compensation from any brands or partners, and we uphold strict editorial standards to ensure our content is always independent, truthful, and unbiased.
Shopping for homeowners insurance online can be straightforward if you know what you want. But the process can be overwhelming if you’re unsure about the type and amount of coverage you need. Insurance brokers can help you figure out your coverage needs and find the best policy within your budget.
Whether you want to use a broker depends on your comfort level, budget, and how much guidance you need. We’ll tell you everything you need to know about using a homeowners insurance broker versus shopping around yourself, so you can decide which option best fits your needs.
Home insurance brokers can simplify the shopping process by determining your coverage needs and getting quotes from the best insurers.
Consider using a broker if you have complex coverage needs, like owning a high-value home, living in a disaster-prone area, or having large liability risks.
If you prefer to do things yourself, have simple coverage needs, and want online perks that may not be available through a broker, shopping online might be a better fit.
A homeowners insurance broker is a licensed professional who helps you shop for and compare policies from multiple insurance companies. Unlike agents representing a specific insurer, brokers work on your behalf — not the insurance company — to find the best coverage and price for your unique needs.[1]
Brokers can explain policy basics, determine your risk profile, and help you navigate the claims process. They may work independently or as part of an insurance agency.
Get rates from multiple companies and save money in seconds.
Using a homeowners insurance broker can simplify finding the best coverage at the right price. Brokers can be especially helpful if you’re unsure where to start or have unique coverage needs, like owning a historic home or needing extra coverage for a swimming pool or dog.
Here are some of the biggest benefits of using a broker for your home insurance.
Brokers are licensed professionals with in-depth knowledge of the insurance industry, policies, and coverages. They can assess your specific needs and recommend tailored coverage options that might not be obvious if you’re shopping on your own. Their guidance can help you avoid overpaying for coverage or being over- or underinsured.
Unlike captive agents who work for one company, insurance brokers can shop across a wide range of companies. This gives you more choices and potentially better premiums and coverage options. They may also be able to connect you with specialty insurers for high-risk homes or unusual coverage needs.
Comparing companies, policies, coverage limits, reading fine print, and getting multiple insurance quotes can take a long time if you do it alone. A broker handles much of the work for you, making the process easier and less time-consuming.
They can also help you with paperwork, policy renewals, and claims support, saving you time and hassle in the long run.
While working with a homeowners insurance broker can offer expertise and convenience, it’s not the best fit for everyone. Before handing over the search to someone else, here are a few things to keep in mind.
You have to trust your broker, and there’s less transparency in the process. You might not know which companies the broker considered or why they recommend one home insurance policy over another. They also might not have access to as many options as you do online.
A broker might not be the best fit if you like having all the details and having more control over your choices.
Most brokers try to act in your best interest, but they sometimes earn more by selling policies from certain insurance companies. That can lead to recommendations that aren’t 100% objective. Even if there’s no commission involved, personal preferences or long-standing relationships can influence which insurer they steer you toward.
Shopping on your own through insurance company websites or comparison tools can unlock perks, like discounts for buying your policy online or signing your policy documents electronically. These discounts usually aren’t available when you buy coverage through a broker, which could mean you miss out on savings.
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Choosing between insurance brokers and shopping online depends on what matters most to you.
If you want expert advice, personal service, and help understanding policy language, a broker can be a valuable resource. They can help you choose coverages and deductibles, answer claims questions, and may even have access to companies that don’t sell directly to consumers.
On the other hand, shopping online is typically faster, gives you more control, and may unlock exclusive discounts. It’s a great fit if you prefer to compare quotes on your own time and don’t need one-on-one help.
You can find the right coverage at an affordable price with both approaches. It just depends on your comfort level and priorities.
A homeowners insurance broker can be a great fit if you’re new to buying insurance, have unique coverage needs like renting out a room, or want expert help navigating your options.
Insurance brokers are also helpful if you’ve filed claims in the past or have had trouble finding affordable coverage. They usually know which companies have more lenient underwriting requirements and can shop around for the best deal.
You might be better off shopping on your own if you want to compare quotes quickly and have more access to discounts. If you’re only looking for basic coverage on a standard home, going direct to insurers could also save time and money.
If you’re a tech-savvy shopper comfortable with policy details and making decisions independently, you might find a broker unnecessary.
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Here are some tips to help you find a good homeowners insurance broker:
Ask your friends, family, and coworkers if they have a broker they recommend.
Ask professionals like your lender, real estate agent, or title company which brokers they trust.
Once you have a few brokers in mind, read online reviews to see if they’re reliable and professional.
Check with your state’s department of insurance to make sure they have an active license to sell property and casualty insurance products, like home and auto coverage.
Compare quotes and save on the coverage you need for your home.
If you’re still wondering if working with homeowners insurance brokers is right for you, we can help. Here are answers to some common questions about using a broker.
It depends. Brokers might have access to more companies and could save you time and money. But if you like to be in control or want to shop online, you might want to get homeowners insurance quotes on your own.
Insurance brokers may not have your best interests at heart, especially if they have a relationship with or receive higher commissions from certain companies. You might also miss out on online-only discounts that are only available directly from the insurer.
No. Using a broker for homeowners insurance is optional. Many people shop directly through insurance companies or comparison websites, especially if they have straightforward coverage needs.
Insurance companies like Allstate, GEICO, and State Farm typically sell policies directly to consumers and don’t work with independent agencies or brokers.
Brokers are typically paid through commissions from the insurer, not you. But in some U.S. states, brokers can charge a fee for insurance services.[2] Broker fees are most common in commercial insurance, not homeowners policies.
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Mandy Sleight has over 15 years of insurance knowledge and expertise in auto, home, life, health, pet, supplemental benefits, and other insurance products. She’s a sought-after insurance expert, appearing in Bankrate.com, Moneygeek.com, U.S. News & World Report, Reviews.com, CNET, and other publications, and she's been writing for Compare.com since 2023.
Mandy uses her background and experience working for well-known insurance companies like State Farm and Nationwide Insurance to create engaging and easy-to-understand content that helps readers make smarter insurance choices that have a positive effect on their budgets and finances.
Matthew Gross is an editor at Compare.com. With a background in editing and SEO, he’s passionate about creating content that helps readers get the information they need to make more informed decisions. Prior to Compare.com, Matthew brought his user-centered approach to his work with global brands like Apple and Adobe.
Matthew graduated from Illinois State University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Journalism.
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