To find the best policy to keep your home safe:
Insure your home for the right amount. If you've owned your home for more than a few years, consider having it professionally appraised to get an updated idea of its value. And for the most comprehensive coverage, insure your home for its replacement value, not its market value.
Choose an affordable deductible. Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premiums, but you should still choose an amount that you can afford to pay if something happens to your home. Your policy is useless if you can't afford the deductible after an accident.
Check personal property coverage limits. Make sure the policy provides sufficient coverage for your valuable items by checking the limits and sub-limits. For example, if your $3,500 computer is destroyed by fire and your policy limits computer coverage to a maximum of $1,000, you'll end up significantly out of pocket.
Check the exclusions. Not only is it important to know what your policy covers, but also what it doesn't cover. Read the list of general exclusions and talk with your insurer to find out if you need to purchase additional coverage.
Compare insurers. Get quotes from your top insurers, and then compare based on price and the company's reputation. Sites like Trustpilot and the Better Business Bureau can give you a good idea of how past customers have felt about the claims process.