Independent editorial — not a quote platform
Every aggregator's panel has gaps. The largest US home insurer (State Farm) is absent from every comparison platform. The 3+2 method fixes this: three aggregated quotes plus two direct quotes gives you a 90% market view in 20 minutes.
The coverage gap nobody explains
ACV policies pay the depreciated value of destroyed property. A 7-year-old roof after a hailstorm gets 30% of replacement cost under an ACV policy. A replacement cost policy pays the full rebuild. The premium difference is 10-15%. Insurers advertise the cheaper ACV product prominently; the distinction is buried in the policy details and almost never explained during the quote process. The average homeowner discovers the gap at claim time.
Replacement cost vs ACV explained in full →7.2/10
Hippo is a US home insurer that combines standard homeowners coverage with smart-home monitoring technology. It partners with Hippo's Home Care platform to detect water leaks and other issues before they become claims.
Best for
US homeowners who want proactive home monitoring features alongside standard coverage
7.6/10
Lemonade is a direct-to-consumer US insurer using AI underwriting. It offers renters, homeowners, and condo insurance in selected US states with a fully digital application and claims process.
Best for
Renters and homeowners in supported US states who want a fully digital, fast-quote experience
7.9/10
Openly is a US home insurer targeting the standard and high-value residential market, distributing exclusively through independent insurance agents. It offers guaranteed replacement cost coverage as standard on qualifying homes.
Best for
US homeowners with high-value properties who want a premium carrier that distributes through independent agents
8.4/10
Policygenius is a US-based insurance marketplace that lets you compare home insurance quotes from multiple carriers including Nationwide, Travelers, and Progressive in a single application flow.
Best for
US homeowners who want side-by-side quotes from multiple carriers in one form
8.1/10
State Farm is the largest US home insurance carrier by market share, operating exclusively through direct and agent channels. It does not participate in aggregator comparison platforms, making a direct quote essential for any complete market comparison.
Best for
US homeowners who want the largest US home insurer with local agent support and bundling discounts
Our method
No single comparison platform shows every insurer. State Farm — the largest US home insurer — is absent from Policygenius, The Zebra, and every other aggregator. The 3+2 method makes this gap explicit and fixes it.
Read the full guideMulti-carrier aggregator (Policygenius or The Zebra)
Second aggregator or direct tool
Third comparison source
State Farm direct quote (not on any aggregator)
USAA (if eligible) or your incumbent carrier
Core insurance concepts
Buildings insurance (UK) or dwelling coverage (US) covers the physical structure of your home — walls, roof, floors, fitted fixtures, and permanent outbuildings. Understanding what is and is not included in structural coverage is the foundation of any home insurance decision.
Core insurance concepts
Contents insurance (UK) or personal property coverage (US) covers your movable belongings against theft, fire, water damage and other defined perils. Understanding replacement cost vs ACV for contents is critical — many base policies default to ACV.
Comparison channels
A direct-only insurer sells policies exclusively through their own channels — their website, phone line, or agent network — and does not participate in price comparison platforms. State Farm (US) and Direct Line (UK) are the most significant examples.
Coverage concepts
The excess (UK term) or deductible (US term) is the amount you pay toward a claim before your insurer covers the rest. Understanding how compulsory and voluntary excess combine is essential for comparing home insurance quotes fairly.
Comparison channels
An insurer panel is the set of carriers a comparison platform or broker can quote from. Panels always have gaps — understanding which carriers are absent from which platform is the foundation of effective home insurance comparison.
Coverage concepts
Replacement cost and actual cash value (ACV) determine how much your insurer pays when a claim is made. Replacement cost pays what it costs to replace the item today; ACV pays the depreciated market value. The difference can be tens of thousands of dollars on a major claim.
Home insurance covers your property and belongings against damage, loss, and liability. This piece explains what it actually covers, who needs it, and how the two main types differ.
The 3+2 method is a systematic approach to home insurance comparison that combines three aggregated quotes with two direct-carrier quotes. It gives you a 90%+ market view in approximately 20 minutes.