Questions to Ask a Home Insurance Agent Before You Buy

California’s Department of Insurance encourages shoppers to compare prices, service and coverage, to check an agent or broker’s license status, to read applications and binders before signing and to ask the agent to explain any wording that seems ambiguous.

Coverage and limits

1. How was the dwelling limit calculated, and can I see the rebuilding estimate?
2. Is the home covered at replacement cost? Is there extended replacement cost?
3. Is the roof covered at replacement cost or actual cash value, and can that change as the roof ages?
4. What are the limits for belongings, liability, loss of use and other structures?
5. Is building code (ordinance or law) coverage included?

Deductibles

6. What is each deductible in dollars, including any wind/hail or hurricane deductible?
7. What would the premium be at a higher or lower deductible?

Exclusions and add-ons

8. Is water backup included? Flood? Earthquake?
9. What are the limits on jewelry, firearms, electronics and collectibles?
10. Does my home business, rental or pool need extra coverage?

Price and discounts

11. Which discounts were applied, and which others might I qualify for?
12. How do installments work, and are there fees?
13. What could change after an inspection or underwriting review?

About the agent and insurer

14. Do you represent one insurer or several? California’s guide describes independent agents who may represent one or more companies and direct writers that use their own employees.
15. Are you licensed in my state? You can verify through your state insurance department.
16. What’s the insurer’s process if I need to file a claim?

After you choose

Read the policy when you receive it. CDI advises checking that the coverage, limits, premium and other information are correct rather than filing it away.

By phone

What happens when you call

A conversation lets the agent ask about your specific home instead of relying on a generic online estimate. There are no online forms to fill out.

1. 1

   Describe your home

   Share the address, size, age, construction, and roof or system updates. You do not need every detail to start.

2. 2

   Talk through coverage

   Explain what you want covered and ask about limits, deductibles, and exclusions that apply to your property.

3. 3

   Compare and decide

   Ask for the written quote terms and compare them before deciding. A call or a quote does not start coverage.

Sources and how this page was checked

Page updated October 23, 2026

This page is general information written from the public sources below. It has not been reviewed by an insurance company, attorney or licensed agent for your situation. Your policy form, endorsements, insurer and state rules decide what is covered.

Sources

• California Department of Insurance — Residential Insurance: Homeowners and Renters (Form 401, rev. January 2026)Retrieved and reviewed October 25, 2026 for Coverage A–F descriptions, special limits on valuables, renters and condo coverage, dwelling limits based on rebuilding cost rather than market value, actual cash value, guaranteed and limited/extended replacement cost, building code upgrade (ordinance or law) coverage, inflation guard, FAIR Plan, surplus lines and binder/quote definitions. California rules (notice periods, broker fees, CA-specific laws) are not generalized nationally.
• Texas Department of Insurance — Insurance and your roofRetrieved and reviewed October 25, 2026 for roof replacement cost vs. actual cash value, roof settlement changes at renewal, separate wind/hail deductibles, two-payment replacement-cost claims and pre-policy roof inspections.
• Texas Department of Insurance — Lower your home insurance cost by asking for discountsRetrieved and reviewed October 25, 2026 for common discount categories (security and fire systems, newer or renovated homes, roof materials and age, claim-free history, bundling, loyalty, smart devices, military or other groups) and the suggestion to shop at least every three years.
• Texas Department of Insurance — DeductiblesRetrieved and reviewed October 25, 2026 for dollar vs. percentage deductibles (worked example on a $150,000 home), per-claim application and the premium tradeoff of a higher deductible.

Before you rely on this page

• Read your declarations page, policy form and every endorsement; they control over any summary.
• Ask the insurer or agent to confirm limits, deductibles and exclusions in writing before you buy or cancel coverage.
• For state rules, deadlines or complaints, check your state insurance department directly.