Why we recommend it: State Farm received a four-star InsureScore for claims handling and customer service, has industry-best educational resources and tools and a host of specialized coverage options.
Editors’ pros and cons
Pros:
- Wide network of agents but also a customer-friendly website and apps.
- Website provides robust educational tools and financial calculators.
- State Farm had the highest percentage that would renew a policy (97%).
Cons:
- Limited discounts.
In addition to standard home coverage, State Farm has an increased replacement cost coverage feature that automatically boosts your replacement cost coverage up to 20% as long as you’ve insured your home at least up to its estimated replacement cost. Another add-on you can buy will help pay the extra cost replace broken heating or cooling systems with energy efficient ones. State Farm also has a benefit that pays to replace large appliances. You can also buy coverage to help for expenses if you need to move or repair your home due to building laws. It also sells earthquake insurance.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “Good customer service and rates. Easy to do business with.”--Ohio, age 67
- “The customer service reps really go above and beyond, and the prices are among the lowest.”--Mississippi, age 49
- “Great company, reasonable prices and excellent customer service.” --Indiana, age 38
- “When I had a problem with my roofing and needed to replace it, I called an agent and they took the time to solve my claim and the inspector came to see the house and in this same day they provided me with a check.” --Arizona, age 41
- “I have been with them for over 20 years and they always do a good job for us.” --Kansas, age 70
Read the full State Farm review for details and availability
Best home insurance company for customer satisfaction: American Family
Why we recommend it: American Family earned a four-star InsureScore for both claims and customer service and has a very low amount of complaints filed with state regulators.
Editors’ pros and cons
Pros:
- Ninety-four percent of surveyed customers said they’d renew a policy.
- A lot of special coverages and discounts.
Cons:
- Availability is somewhat limited as American Family only operates in 19 states.
In addition to standard coverage, American Family offers some specialized add-ons. You can buy coverage for matching siding, which will pay to replace undamaged siding so that it matches the siding of the damaged area.
You can also add coverage for family members living in nursing homes or assisted living homes. The relative’s personal possessions are covered under your policy. Under this benefit, your relative is also covered if he or she causes accidental injuries to others or damages to others’ property. (Injuries to personnel of the nursing home or assisted living facility are not covered by this additional coverage.)
American Family now offers a diminishing deductible you can buy that reduces our deductible over time. Your deductible will be cut by $100 yearly at renewal, up to your policy’s maximum limit.
Discounts beyond the typical kind include those for smart homes and a generational discount. If you have a smart-home security system equipped with sensors that detect smoke, fire and water, you can snag a discount. American Family also has a generational discount – if you’re between the ages of 18 to 30 and your parents have an active home or auto policy with American Family, you could save more with on your home policy.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “They are the best. They are always there for you and treat you like family.” --Kansas, age 60
- “American Family has always been good to us. They are easy to talk to. The claims process is easy and quick. They answer any questions we have completely.” --Iowa, age 42
- “They are great, they have the lowest prices but yet they give me more for my money and they take care of everything for me. If I have any questions they are happy to take my phone call and answer the questions fast and easy to understand. I feel like they care about me and are honest and open with me.” --Indiana, age 54
Read the complete American Family review
Best homeowners insurance for price: Travelers
Why we recommend it: Travelers had the lowest rates for coverage among carriers surveyed, and also a low level of complaints filed with state regulators.
Pros:
- Travelers received a four-star InsureScore for claims and for customer service.
Cons:
- Discounts are fairly standard.
- Home and auto bundle discount is, on average, lower than some major carriers.
Travelers offers “green home coverage,” which pays for green materials when rebuilding or repairing your home. If you become a victim of identity fraud, Travelers’ identity fraud expense reimbursement coverage pays up to $25,000 for costs incurred to restore your identity. You can also manage your policy from an Alexa. Travelers also sells flood insurance.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “They helped me extremely well after damage to my property after a recent hurricane. I was amazed how quickly an agent was sent to my home to assess my problems. Before the week was out, I had been reimbursed for the cost of restoring my property.” --Connecticut, age 73
- “Travelers is an outstanding insurance company. I have never had a claim experience that was negative from this provider. They really are there for you when you need them to be. Customer Service is outstanding and the rates are extremely competitive for the coverage you receive.” --Georgia, age 65
- “They gave me a reasonable price on a rental property I own. They allowed a wood stove and no pet restrictions on my policy with tenants.” --Maine, age 53
- “We submitted a claim and it was accepted and paid very quickly with little effort on our part.” --Massachusetts, age 76
Read the full Travelers review
Best for homeowners insurance discounts: Farmers
Why we recommend it: Farmers had the most home insurance discounts among carriers surveyed – 17 price breaks, with five of those available only in some states, and flexible coverage plans for three homeowner profiles.
Editors’ pros and cons
Pros:
- Farmers’ Smart Home Plan policies offer standard, enhanced and premiere policies, each designed to meet the needs of homeowners in different life stages. Within each of these packages you can raise or lower coverage limits, and add or change coverage.
- Discounts beyond the standard include those for green-certified homes, connected homes, those with a Farmers renters policy who switch to homeowner coverage.
Cons:
- Average scores for claims, price and customer service.
Depending on which policy you have, benefits include a vanishing deductible, being able to file a claim without a rate increase if you’ve had no claims in five years as a policyholder and having cosmetic damage paid for when you file a claim for functional damage. You can also get price breaks on an ADT Security system, which partners with Farmers to provide two types of systems.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “Choose this company because they are offering decent coverage at a decent price even with increases in California due to the fires.” --California, age 56
- “Excellent customer service and they will fit a policy to your needs.” --Texas, age 67
- “Very professional, reliable, the best claims department, reasonable rates.” --Georgia, age 60
Read the full Farmers review for details and availability
Best for auto and homeowners insurance bundle: Nationwide
Why we recommend it: Nationwide’s average bundle rate saved customers 25% on their coverage, more than other major carriers surveyed in a rate analysis.
Editors’ pros and cons
Pros:
- Easy to get quotes and file claims online.
- Includes a benefit in standard coverage that pays to rebuild your home at current building code requirements.
Cons:
- Average ratings for claims handling and customer service.
- Though 85% of customers surveyed said they’d renew, it was among the lowest percentages compared to other carriers.
When filing a roof claim, the Better Roof Replacement add-on will replace your roof with a higher quality one than you had before. If you need to rebuild your home, Nationwide’s “replacement cost plus” coverage pays up to an additional 20% more than your policy limit if it costs more to rebuild your house. It also sells earthquake and flood insurance.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “They are very responsive and professional and go out of their way to truly know their customers.” --Vermont, age 64
- “I haven't had many claims but when I have, they were very quick at assessing the damage and then cutting a check that was sufficient to repair the damage. In one case, the repair went higher than the estimate and they sent a supplemental check right away.” West Virginia, age 68
- “They have been very easy to work with when we've had to add riders to our policy.” --Ohio, age 55
Read the full Nationwide review
Best homeowners insurance for military: USAA
Why we recommend it: USAA has historically placed at the top, and often at No. 1, overall for home and car insurance, as it offers industry-best customer service and pricing. But due to its limited membership, it’s not included in the overall rankings.
Editors’ pros and cons
Pros
- USAA received the highest scores in all categories, earning an InsureScore of 4.5 stars for customer service, claims, price and website/apps.
Cons
- Not available to general public-- it’s only available to active and retired military members and their immediate families.
USAA includes replacement cost coverage for your personal belongings as the default, which means you don’t pay extra to have your house and items replaced at today's value, with no depreciation factored in. USAA also offers insurance for those who rent out their home through services such as AirBnB. If military uniforms are damaged and you file a claim, you won’t pay a deductible to replace them if active duty or deployed. Another benefit is that up to $5,000 in protection for identity theft is included in your policy. USAA also sells earthquake insurance.
Feedback from surveyed customers:
- “Very satisfied with the policies they offer and feel like they are always available to answer any questions or help in any way.” --Arizona, age 56
- “I have had a superior experience with USAA. Best customer service, best policy options for coverage and great prices. An excellent value!”” --California, age 47
- “They went after the manufacturer for a 13 year old fridge when my kitchen flooded and got me my deductible back.” --Texas, age 34
Read the full review for USAA
