How we put this guide together: figures come from NerdWallet’s 2026 home insurance analyses and bundle research, Insurify and FEMA. Discount amounts are insurers’ advertised maximums and vary by state. See our advertiser disclosure.
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Sponsored listings. Insuretro may be paid if you click a listing; it doesn’t change your price.1. Compare at least three insurers
Prices for the same home vary widely. In NerdWallet’s 2026 data, the large insurers’ averages ranged from $1,940 to $4,235 a year for identical coverage, and regional insurers were cheapest in many states. See who came out cheapest.
2. Bundle home and auto
Bundle discounts reported by NerdWallet include up to 40% at American Family, up to 30% at Amica and Country Financial, and 10% or more at Farmers. Always compare the bundled total with separate policies from the cheapest insurer for each.
3. Raise your deductible
A higher deductible means you pay more of a claim yourself and the insurer charges a lower premium. Moving from $1,000 to $2,500 can make sense if you have an emergency fund and rarely claim. Check separately how your wind, hail or hurricane deductible works: in storm-prone states it may be a percentage of your dwelling limit, which can mean thousands of dollars.
4. Insure the rebuild cost, not the market price
Dwelling coverage should match the cost of rebuilding, which excludes land. In NerdWallet’s data, $300,000 of dwelling cover averaged $1,975 a year against $2,490 for $400,000, so getting the number right matters. Don’t go below the true rebuild cost, though: being under-insured can leave you short after a total loss.
5. Upgrade or maintain your roof
Roof claims from hail and wind are a major cost driver, especially in the central US where premiums are highest. Many insurers give discounts for a newer roof or impact-resistant shingles, and some states require discounts for wind-resistant features. Ask your insurer which upgrades qualify before you buy.
6. Add protective devices
Monitored burglar and fire alarms, deadbolts, smoke detectors and smart water-leak sensors can all earn discounts. Water leaks are a common and expensive claim, so a sensor with automatic shut-off can pay for itself.
7. Avoid small claims
Claims history affects your premium. Paying for minor damage yourself, for example a repair costing little more than your deductible, can protect a claims-free discount and avoid a surcharge at renewal.
8. Ask about every discount
- Claims-free or loyalty discounts
- New home or recently renovated home
- Paying the annual premium in full, and paperless billing
- Being a member of certain employers, alumni groups or associations
- Retired or over-55 homeowners at some insurers
9. Improve your credit, where it counts
Most states allow insurers to use credit-based insurance scores in pricing home insurance. Paying bills on time and keeping balances low can help over time. A few states restrict this, so it won’t matter everywhere.
10. Review your policy every year
Remove cover you no longer need, such as a scheduled item you sold, and make sure your dwelling limit still matches rebuild costs. In a 2026 NerdWallet survey, 34% of homeowners saw their premium rise in the past year, so an annual check against new quotes is worth the time.
Storm-proofing programs and certified roofs
Some states and insurers reward homes built or retrofitted to resist storms. The Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED standard, for example, sets roofing and construction requirements, and several Gulf Coast states offer grants or require insurers to give discounts for qualifying homes. Florida requires insurers to offer discounts for wind-mitigation features such as roof straps and shutters, documented by an inspection. Ask your insurer or state insurance department what is available where you live.
Questions to ask at every renewal
- Why did my premium change, and did my dwelling limit go up?
- Which discounts am I getting, and which could I add?
- How much would a higher deductible save?
- Is my roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value?
- Do I have the right cover for valuables, water backup and liability?
Discount checklist
| Discount | Who usually qualifies | How to get it |
|---|---|---|
| Multi-policy (bundle) | Anyone who also buys auto or other cover from the same insurer | Quote home and auto together |
| Claims-free | No claims for several years | Avoid small claims; ask at renewal |
| Protective devices | Monitored alarms, smoke detectors, deadbolts, water-leak sensors | Send proof of installation or monitoring |
| New or impact-resistant roof | Recently replaced or certified roofs | Provide the roofing invoice or certificate |
| Wind mitigation | Storm shutters, roof straps (required in some states, such as Florida) | Get a wind-mitigation inspection |
| New or renovated home | Recent construction or updated systems | Give the year built or update details |
| Paid in full and paperless | Anyone | Choose annual payment and e-documents |
| Loyalty | Long-term customers | Ask, then compare with new quotes anyway |
What these steps could be worth: an example
Take a homeowner paying the national average of $2,490. Switching from the most expensive large insurer to one of the cheapest could save well over $1,000 in NerdWallet’s company data. Adding a bundle discount, a higher deductible and a security discount would bring the price down further. (Illustration only: discounts don’t simply add together, and results depend on your home, insurer and state.)
What not to cut
- Liability cover: a lawsuit after someone is injured at your home can cost far more than your house. Many homeowners carry $300,000 or more.
- Replacement cost on belongings: actual cash value pays depreciated prices, which can leave you short.
- Flood cover if you need it: standard policies exclude flood. FEMA caps most yearly NFIP flood premium increases at 18%. See what home insurance doesn’t cover.
Savings tip: start shopping about a month before renewal. That gives you time to get quotes, ask questions and switch without a gap in cover.
Common questions
What is the fastest way to lower home insurance?
Compare quotes from at least three insurers and ask about bundling with your car insurance. Bundle discounts can reach 30% to 40% at some insurers.
Does a new roof lower home insurance?
Often, yes. Many insurers discount newer or impact-resistant roofs, because roof damage from hail and wind is one of the most common claims.
Should I file a small claim?
Often not. Small claims can raise your premium or cost you a claims-free discount. It can be cheaper to pay minor repairs yourself.
Are there discounts for storm-proofing my home?
Often, yes. Many insurers discount impact-resistant roofs and storm shutters, and some states require wind-mitigation discounts or offer grants for FORTIFIED roofs. Ask your insurer and state insurance department.
Sources
- NerdWallet: Average homeowners insurance cost, 2026 (May 2026)
- NerdWallet: Cheapest home insurance, 2026 (Feb 2026)
- NerdWallet: Best home and auto insurance bundles (Sept 2026)
- Insurify: Average cost of homeowners insurance (Oct 2026)
- FEMA: Understanding Risk Rating 2.0 fact sheet (July 2025)
Prices, discounts and rules change often and vary by state and driver. Figures were checked in October 2026; confirm details with the insurer or your state insurance department.