Category: Home Insurance Companies

Becoming a homeowner is exciting, but it can also make you worry about your mortgage payments. You might be wondering what will happen if you suddenly can’t work anymore. That’s when mortgage insurance companies come into play.

These organizations offer a specific insurance policy – term life insurance, that can match the length of your mortgage. This insurance serves to help your beneficiaries pay your remaining debts if you become catastrophically ill or pass.

Today, you’ll get to read about some mortgage insurance agencies and learn how to select the best one for you and your family.

Best Mortgage Protection Insurance Sites

List of the Most Awesome Mortgage Insurance Companies in USA – Reviews 2022

How to Select the Best Mortgage Life Insurance?

When selecting the mortgage insurance policy, you’re basically choosing term life insurance. This is why you should primarily focus on the companies that provide great service in this industry.

Term Life Insurance Features

Most term life policies last for a limited time, are highly affordable, and serve to keep your beneficiaries protected if you pass or become so disabled you can’t provide income. However, policies differ, and some offer additional riders that can improve the lives of your loved ones in the future.

Eligibility for Term Life Insurance Policy

Some companies offer mortgage life insurance protection program to all types of clients. However, others limit their service to veterans or government employees. Additionally, many require that you pass a medical exam and will base their prices on your current health status. Sometimes you may not be eligible based on your family health history as well.

Throw a Glance at Their Customer Support

Since your life insurance company will be responsible for your family and beneficiaries, you should take a look at how it treats existing customers. Explore the most recent customer reviews, and don’t be shy of contacting the support yourself to see how they treat you.

Consider the Price Range

Mortgage payment protection insurance is among the most affordable insurance policies you could purchase. Some start as low as $15 per month, even if the coverage is about $500,000. However, the final cost is based on your overall health, location, family history, etc. Still, you’re likely to find affordable policies in today’s market.

Summary

If you’re looking into securing your mortgage payments, you’ll likely purchase the best mortgage protection insurance out there. However, know that there’s no specific insurance policy that will cover only your mortgage. Instead, you’ll be looking into term life insurance.

With this life insurance, you and your family will be protected even if you become disabled and you can’t work anymore. Term life insurance lasts for a certain time period, and it’s best to match it with the duration of your mortgage.

People Also Ask

Unexpected events can happen at any time, leaving your loved ones devastated and in debt. This is why you should check out our list of the top 6 life insurance companies and learn how they can provide financial protection for your family if you pass away.

With the right insurance policy, you’ll ensure that the people you leave behind can cover the costs of your medical bills, funeral, and any of your remaining debts. What’s more, they’ll have enough money until they manage to get back on their feet. All this is a good enough reason why getting life insurance is worth your money.

Keep reading to learn more about the types of life insurance and the agencies that offer the best policies on the market and learn why getting life insurance is worth your money.

Best Life Insurance Companies

List of the Best Life Insurance Company Sites — Reviews 2024

How To Select the Best Life Insurance Site?

Getting a life insurance policy is a smart decision. Still, finding the right insurer can be challenging. Here’s how to look for the best insurer to help your loved ones after you pass.

Types of Life Insurance Policy You Need

You might be looking for the best life insurance companies for cancer patients, or you might think that getting term life insurance is enough. Regardless, check the offers on the official websites of multiple insurance companies and reach out to agents for assistance.

Consider Additional Benefits

Some life insurance policies offer additional benefits, like cash value or dividends, and usually, most payouts are tax-free. What’s more, you might not have to bother with a medical exam before you apply, so make sure to check on the details in the fine print.

Throw a Glance at Their Customer Support

If you wonder what the best life insurance companies are, check out what the other customers say about the support they received. Having top customer support is crucial for the people you leave behind, so you’ll want to find the company that provides just that.

Check the Price Range and Coverage

Most insurers aren’t transparent about their prices since the final cost depends on multiple factors. This is why you shouldn’t be surprised if you can’t find the price range of your desired policy. However, you can use online quoting tools to get an estimate.

Summary

Purchasing a life insurance policy is one of the best moves you can make. Life insurance companies can help you decide on the right insurance policy so that your loved ones can cover the expenses of your funeral, remaining debts and manage their lives without you for a while.

There are a few different policies to consider, and some are even available to you even if you have HIV or suffer from an incurable disease. You never know what could happen and when your life could suddenly end, so keeping your family secured is a smart choice.

People Also Ask

Our verdict: American Family provides comprehensive coverage, excellent discounts, and a variety of property insurance policies at the best possible price.

American Family was founded in 1920 with the vision to become the most trusted insurance company on the market. In 2017, it installed Wisconsin’s largest rooftop solar array on its headquarters, which shows that it cares about sustainability. 

The company is a direct provider of American Family home insurance and other policies, focused on giving back to its customers and communities. It’s the fourth-largest Wisconsin-based company with over 10,000 employees and 3,000 agents and is featured on the Fortune 500 list.

Keep reading to learn more about the various property insurance policies and their features and see how the price rates and customer service compare to other popular providers. 

American Family Home Insurance Pros and Cons 

Each insurance company has specifics that separate it from its competition. This list of the main advantages and disadvantages of American Family will help you decide whether it is the right choice.

Pros

• Easy-to-use website
• Variety of coverage options and add-ons
• A long list of discounts 
• 24/7 claims support
• Good mobile app 
• Available local agents

Cons

• Not available nationwide
• You can’t purchase a policy online without talking to an agent

American Family Homeowners Insurance Overview 

American Family has an easy-to-use website, so you won’t have issues finding any information about its home insurance policy. In addition, you’ll enjoy a home insurance calculator, access to personalized assistance, and a checklist that will help you prepare for the purchase. 

When it comes to coverage, the standard policy is similar to many offers on the market. It protects the dwelling, detached structures, and personal items from various perils and further includes liability and other features. It comes with customizable options, like equipment breakdown coverage. 

Features 

Let’s take a look at the features of American Family home insurance and other property-related policies. 

Home

The standard home coverage includes the following: 

• Fire and smoke 
• Tornados and hail
• Weight of ice damage
• Leaking roof
• Lightning 
• Theft, vandalism, or riots
• Wildfire
• Frozen interior plumbing 
• Power surges 

The policy protects your dwelling, other detached structures like garages, swimming pools, or gazebos, and your personal belongings. You’ll also enjoy temporary living expenses coverage that will help you pay for your hotel and food if your home becomes uninhabitable. 

American Family home insurance coverage includes liability protection against lawsuits and claims. Additionally, the policy can be customized to expand coverage. 

The equipment breakdown is an additional feature that protects you in case your appliances, home systems, or smart home devices get broken. It covers: 

• Refrigerators, ovens, and stoves
• Washers and dryers 
• Computers
• Well pumps
• Garden tractors, etc.

The sump pump and water add-on covers the cost of repairs if the equipment malfunctions and causes damage to your property. American Family home insurance has another add-on that covers hidden water damage if leaks happen within the plumbing systems. 

Matching siding protection will help you replace the damaged sections of siding in the case of a covered loss. The following items are not covered by this policy: 

• Maintenance
• Normal wear and tear
• Floods
• Earthquakes 

Renters

If you’re renting an apartment, house, or condo, chances are you need insurance that will protect your personal belongings. This type of American Family house insurance also includes liability and additional living expenses if your rental becomes uninhabitable. 

Renters insurance protects your furniture, clothing, electronics, and similar, and it includes medical bills. It secures all the items inside your rental unit, while your landlord’s insurance covers the home structure. 

Condo

If you own a condo, your association probably has a master policy that doesn’t insure the items inside your unit. That is why you should consider purchasing condo insurance. Such American Family home insurance will keep your belongings protected in case of: 

• Fire 
• Theft
• Water damage from plumbing
• Power surges 

It also covers temporary living expenses, liability, collapsing building, debris removal, emergency removal of property, mold, bacteria, inflation, and more. You can customize your condo insurance with the following add-ons: 

• Property coverage for possessions
• Sump pump failure and water backup
• Additional liability
• Hidden water damage protection 

Manufactured Home

Not many companies offer manufactured home coverage, but American Family has mobile home insurance that includes the following: 

• Matching siding — helps you match the siding of your home if it has been partially damaged;
• Other structures — your agent can help you insure other structures like a shed;
• Trip collision coverage — covers any damage that can happen to your home while you’re moving; 
• Hidden water damage coverage — covers the damage caused by unexpected water leaks. 

Farm and Ranch

The American Family homeowners insurance coverage for farms and ranches includes:

• Dwelling 
• Farm personal coverage 
• Fair rental value 
• Farm liability 
• Farm outbuilding 
• Additional living expenses 

It also comes with great add-ons that help you personalize your policy, such as: 

• Farm equipment breakdown
• Farm income coverage
• Replacement cost coverage for irrigation systems
• Additional farm and ranch property coverage
• Supplementary coverage 
• Other types of coverage 

Landlord

American Family can provide you with a landlord policy that covers your building, general liability, medical expenses, and more. You’ll also enjoy the Landlord Toolbox that gives you access to:

• Tips on how to promote your rentals
• Application and tenant screening
• Managing move-outs
• Property maintenance tips
• Info on laws and your duties 

Mobile App

American Family insurance app has numerous features to help you manage your policies, documents, and payments. With this app, you can: 

• Access proof of insurance 
• Set up autopay
• Make changes to your policy
• File claims
• Find an auto repair shop

User reviews are mixed, but the overall score of 4.3 shows that most are satisfied with the app. However, it’s geared primarily towards auto policyholders, and it’s not optimized for home insurance management. 

Flood 

Like many other insurers, American Family offers flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program. You don’t necessarily have to obtain such coverage. However, consider that floods can happen anywhere, and the average insurance claim is $39,000. 

With NFIP and American Family, you can enjoy flood insurance coverage that includes: 

• Your home and foundations
• Clothes, furniture, and electronics
• Electrical and plumbing 
• AC and heating
• Appliances 
• Installed carpeting, paneling, and other items

Earthquake

Unfortunately, some locations are more prone to earthquakes than others. If you live in such a state, chances are you’ll need mandatory coverage. 

You can always add American Family earthquake insurance to your standard policy and enhance the coverage. It can be added to a home, condo, and rental property insurance and protects:

• The dwelling and other structures
• Fences, driveways, sidewalks
• Construction materials on-premises
• Personal property, and more

This policy comes with a special deductible. Contact your agent to receive detailed information. 

Financial Strength

According to the company’s 2020 report and 2021 American Family insurance ratings for its financial strength, the outlook is positive. A.M. Best ranks it with an A for 19 consecutive years. American Family also has an affirmed credit rating of A+. 

Fitch ratings affirmed the A+ financial strength rating, and S&P assigned it an A. American Family has 10.6 billion in customer equity and almost $13 million in revenue for 2020. Based on that, you won’t have issues with your claims. 

American Family Insurance Customer Service 

There are several ways to contact American Family customer service. You can call the number on the official website, send an email, or go to a live chat with a representative. The last feature is available Monday to Friday, from 8 AM to 8 PM CST. 

In its 2020 Home Insurance Study for overall customer satisfaction, J.D. Power ranks American Family just below the segment average, with a score of 821/1,000. That indicates there’s room for improvement. However, the customers seem to be happy with the service they received. 

• NerdWallet — 4.5
• Clearsurance — 4
• Consumeraffairs — 4 
• Valuepenguin — 80%

American Family Home Insurance Quote  

Your insurance quote is determined by several factors —  the location and age of your home, preferred add-ons, and the coverage you need to include in your policy. Depending on your state, you might have to purchase additional coverage, which can increase your premium. 

The average home insurance quote is usually calculated for the $250,000-worth dwelling. In the case of American Family, the annual cost is about $980. 

Still, only the insurance agent can tell you the exact price of your home policy, especially since American Family offers great discounts to help you save. 

American Family Insurance Discounts 

Below you can find all available discounts that you might qualify for. 

Smart Home

If you have installed any kind of smart device that can increase the security of your home, like burglar alarms or smoke detectors, you can qualify for this discount. 

Bundle

Combining two policies together is a standard way of saving on your insurance. For example, with American Family, you can bundle your auto and home policies and save up to 29% of the total cost. 

Age of Home

Newer homes usually have fewer claims, so if your home is newer than 15 years, chances are you could qualify for this discount and lower your American Family home insurance quote even more. 

Loyalty 

If you’ve been a loyal member of the American Family for many years, you might be eligible for a lower premium. 

Generational 

If you’re between 18 and 30 and your parents have active auto or home insurance with American Family, you could receive a discount. 

Renovated Home

If you’ve completely replaced plumbing, electrical, or heating systems in the last 15 years, ask your agent about this deal and save on your American Family insurance quote. 

AutoPay, Full Pay, Paperless Billing

Your payment habits can be another way to save. If you receive your bills electronically, set up auto payment, or pay your bills in full, you can qualify for a discount. 

Diminishing Deductible

If you haven’t filed claims, you can enjoy a $100 diminished deductible for each claim-free year. 

No Claims

If you went five years without filing a claim, you’d receive an additional discount. 

New Home — for Manufactured Homes

If your manufactured home is less than four years old, you could be eligible for this discount. 

American Family Home Insurance Rates Comparison 

The price of your homeowners policy plays a crucial role in the choice of a provider. Here’s the rates comparison to help you decide. 

Overall Competition Comparison

Let’s see how American Family compares to three other famous insurers when it comes to customer satisfaction, policy availability, and financial strength.

Expert Thoughts 

American Family has a long history and insurance expertise. Its policies are affordable and suitable for both new and experienced customers. It provides wide coverage options and excellent add-ons that can expand the American Family home insurance even further.  

Its mobile app also has high ratings, and the website is packed with details about each insurance policy. You’ll enjoy 24/7 support and the service of local agents. The biggest drawback is that it’s available in only 17 states. 

American Family is an excellent choice for home insurance, especially due to the variety of discounts it provides to help you save even more. 

People Also Ask

American Family is a well-known US insurance company. It has over 10,000 employees and 3,000 agents in 17 states. It is a Fortune 500 company with excellent financial strength ratings indicating the ability to pay out claims. 

It provides multiple types of property-related insurance policies, including home, renters, and condo. While customer support could improve, you’ll still enjoy good service, reliable coverage, and customizable options for a low price.

American Family offers auto, property, and business insurance and added protection. The home insurance policy has excellent coverage options, good customization features, and a long list of discounts. 

You can purchase other insurance policies, like renters, landlords, or condo. American Family can also help you insure your farm or ranch. Talk to your agent to find the best coverage for your needs.

The standard home insurance policy from American Family covers the most common issues you could face — fire and smoke, tornados, the weight of ice damage, theft, vandalism, power surges, and more. 

The policy covers your dwelling, detached structures, personal belongings, living expenses, and liability. There are also add-ons that you can use to personalize your insurance. They include equipment breakdown and sump pump water damage insurance. 

Unfortunately, you won’t be insured against floods or earthquakes, but you can purchase those policies separately.

Many factors affect your monthly premium — your location, home age, claim history, deductibles, and coverage type. You can also lower your home insurance cost with various discounts. 

American Family property policy costs about $980 per year for the $250,000-worth dwelling, which is significantly below the national average. However, if you need mandatory flood insurance, you’ll probably pay a bit more.

American Family offers equipment breakdown coverage as an add-on. It protects your most expensive appliances, home systems, or smart home devices against mechanical, electrical, or pressure systems breakdown. 

The add-on further includes refrigerators, ovens, stoves, heating and cooling units, well pumps, garden tractors, and more. Its price starts at $30 per year for standard and manufactured homes and $20 for condo and rentals. 

However, it doesn’t protect your appliances from normal wear and tear.

Older homes usually cost more to insure and have a history of claims. Such houses are also made with less resistant to fire and water damage materials than new homes. In addition, they may come with rodents and various other issues. 

Still, American Family agents can work with you to help you insure your older home. The main difference can be that you won’t be eligible for one of the discounts if your home is older than 15 years.

Most homeowners policies cover water damage if it has happened accidentally and suddenly. If any unexpected event occurs and your appliances or plumbing fails, you’ll likely be able to file a claim and be reimbursed. 

However, based on how the damage occurred, the insurance might also be limited. For example, if the reason is poor maintenance or lack thereof, or regular wear and tear, you won’t be paid for your claim.

Regardless, you’ll be able to protect your dwelling and personal property with the comprehensive coverage  American Family home insurance offers.

Our verdict: Mercury offers comprehensive coverage, excellent add-ons, and good customer support. If it is available in your state, you’ll enjoy an affordable and reliable insurance policy. 

Mercury was founded in 1961 to provide consumers with affordable and high-quality insurance products along with top-notch customer service. In 1972 Mercury home insurance was introduced to the market, and ever since, the company has been expanding. 

Forbes named it one of the most trustworthy companies in 2013 and 2016. Mercury offers comprehensive coverage options and various insurance policies. In addition, it has a Special Investigation Unit, which cooperates with local and federal law enforcement to fight frauds and scams. 

Mercury has over 4,000 employees, 9,400 independent agents, and $5.9 billion in total assets. Keep reading to learn more about its home insurance coverage, and see if Mercury will fulfill your needs. 

Mercury Home Insurance Pros and Cons 

Each insurance company is different, and you can expect various kinds of service quality and products. Our list of Mercury’s strong and weak sides can help you decide whether it is the best fit for you.

Pros

• Easy-to-use website
• Well-explained coverage 
• Multiple coverage options 
• Affordable policies
• Over 50 years of industry experience 
• Offers water leak detection service

Cons

• Available in only 11 states 
• Customer service could improve

Mercury Homeowners Insurance Overview 

If you’re looking for comprehensive home insurance, Mercury has you covered. Its homeowners policy includes standard coverage, like dwelling, personal property, and liability, but it also comes with extended replacement cost, guest medical protection, and a few other unique features. 

You can also purchase extended coverage for valuables. However, Mercury’s offers vary by state. Its policies are available in 11 states via different insurers for each one. Keep in mind that not all discounts and services are available in all areas. 

Features 

Below we’ll explore the essential features of Mercury home insurance and related property policies. 

Homeowners

You should consider insuring your home together with the items inside. If you decide to go with Mercury, you’ll have a dedicated agent who will help you create the best policy. The standard insurance covers the dwelling in case of: 

• Fire
• Lightning
• Smoke
• Storm damage and similar perils

The personal property feature protects your household items in the event of fire, theft, or other covered loss. 

Mercury home insurance coverage also includes extended replacement cost, which is additional coverage of up to 150% of the dwelling policy limits that serves to rebuild your home. The additional living expenses help you pay for hotel or rent if your home becomes uninhabitable. 

Personal liability protection is essential in case you damage someone else’s property or cause bodily injury. Guest medical protection pays expenses if someone accidentally injures themselves on your property. 

The ID theft protection add-on helps you pay for costs caused by criminal identity theft. Mercury home insurance has three more add-ons to customize your homeowners, renters, or condo policy: 

• Home Systems Protection — extra coverage for your appliances and electronics
• Service Line Protection — covers damage to the exterior underground service lines
• Home Cyber Protection — protects against compromised data

Condo

If you own a condo, your association probably has a master policy that covers the shared areas of the building. However, it doesn’t extend to the inside of your unit and the items you own. The condo insurance policy will provide specific coverage, including: 

• Personal property
• Improvements
• Loss assessment 
• Additional living expenses
• Personal liability
• Guest medical
• Workers’ comp coverage
• Condos rented to others

Renters

This Mercury home insurance is the best option to choose if you live in a rented apartment. It covers your belongings, pays medical expenses, and has other features, such as: 

• Personal property coverage
• Personal liability protection
• Guest medical protection
• Workers’ comp coverage  

Keep in mind that this coverage is different in each state, and you should consult with your agent about what’s available to you.  

Landlord

Mercury house insurance for landlords covers: 

• Dwelling and other structures
• Additional replacement cost
• Personal property
• Fair rental value and loss assessment
• Premises liability
• Medical payments and personal injury
• Service line protection 
• Home systems protection 

Know that this insurance doesn’t include regular maintenance, wear and tear, or your tenant’s personal items. 

Earthquake Insurance

If you live in a state that is high risk for earthquakes, you will likely be required to purchase the appropriate insurance. Know that your standard home policy won’t protect you against this peril. That is why Mercury offers earthquake insurance.

The policy is designed to help you repair or rebuild your home. Even though it covers some contents, it won’t insure and replace all items. If you live in California, you can purchase this insurance via your local independent Mercury agent. 

Flood Insurance

Standard homeowners insurance doesn’t include flood coverage, which is why you’ll have to purchase it via the National Flood Insurance Program. Luckily, you can get Mercury flood insurance to protect your home and belongings.

This insurance is optional for most homeowners but required if you live in a flood-prone area. Keep in mind that this policy usually takes 30 days to become effective, so make sure to purchase it on time. 

Leak Detection Services

Mercury Insurance provides the best protection against the leading cause of damage — water leaks. The damage could be so severe that you might have to move out while it’s being fixed. 

Luckily, with Mercury insurance for water damage and smart home water detection products, you’ll have an additional layer of security.

Mercury partners with the leading providers of smart water loss prevention — Flo by Moen and Flume. If you decide to purchase this service, you’ll also save money on the home insurance policy and water bills. 

Mobile App

Mercury offers a mobile app you can use to manage your home and auto insurance. For example, you can access digital ID cards, pay your bills, or get roadside assistance. You can also see all the necessary information about your policies. 

Via the Mercury insurance app, you can also set up paperless options and receive your bills online. For extra security, the app supports biometric login.

The latest customer reviews are mixed — some users complained that they couldn’t use the app at all, while others stated they had great service. 

Financial Strength

When it comes to Mercury’s financial strength, the company has earned high ratings. A.M. Best and Fitch gave it an A, and Forbes recognized it as one of the best midsize employers in the US.

Mercury has total assets of over $5.9 billion, which attest to the company’s financial stability. Based on these ratings, you won’t have issues filing your claims and receiving payment. 

Mercury Insurance Customer Service 

If you wish to contact Mercury customer service, you can do so via the phone numbers or email listed on the “Contact Us” page. It doesn’t offer support via chat or social media accounts.

We recommend you reach out to your agent, instead of the company directly, regarding policy changes. 

The customer support reviews are mixed for both auto and home insurance. Some customers had faced issues with their claims, while others were satisfied with the service. Still, J.D. Power didn’t rank it in its 2020 Home Insurance Study for customer satisfaction. 

• NerdWallet — 3.5
• WalletHub — 2.2
• Clearsurance — 3.7
• Valuepenguin — 60%

Mercury Home Insurance Quote 

The primary factors affecting your premium are your location, type of coverage, home age, and discounts you qualify for. You can use the online quoting tool on Mercury’s website or find an agent to discuss the rates.

The home insurance is usually calculated for $250,000 to $300,000-worth dwelling. In Mercury’s case, the average monthly premium is about $89. The company also offers a solid list of discounts to help you lower the prices even more. 

Mercury Insurance Discounts 

Let’s explore Mercury discount options for homeowners, renters, and other property insurance policies. 

Multi-policy

That is a standard way of saving money by combining two or more policies with the same insurer. Mercury offers deals for auto, home, renters, landlord, or condo bundles. 

Protective Devices

If your home has any protective devices, like sprinklers, or fire alarms, you might be eligible for this discount. 

Fire-resistant Materials

If you’ve built your home with fire-resistant construction materials, see if you qualify for this deal. 

New Home

The newer home you own, the bigger the discount you might receive on your Mercury home insurance quote. 

Gated Community

If you live in a gated community, check with your agent to see if you’re eligible for this offer. 

Higher Deductible

If you select a higher deductible, that means you’ll pay less for your monthly premium. 

Loss Free 

You might be eligible for this offer if you have no history of claims. This discount is available with several insurance policies. 

Mercury Home Insurance Rate Comparison 

We’ll compare Mercury’s rates with a few other companies to determine whether Mercury offers affordable insurance policies. 

Overall Competition Comparison

Mercury homeowners insurance has limited availability, and that is another essential factor to consider when you consider your option. Let’s see how Mercury compares with Allstate, GEICO, and State Farm. 

Expert Thoughts

Mercury home insurance is affordable, with excellent coverage options, add-ons, and good customer service. The company is also financially solid, with good ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch. Currently, it has over $5.9 billion in assets.

If you decide to go with Mercury, you’ll also have access to a good list of discounts. Unfortunately, even though customers are satisfied with the home insurance, J.D. Power didn’t place Mercury in its 2020 Home Insurance Study of customer satisfaction. 

Mercury has about 50 years of experience in the industry, and we believe it’s a good insurer to select if you’re looking for a home policy. Still, you can get it in only 11 states. 

People Also Ask

Mercury was founded in 1961 and began offering home insurance in 1972. Since then, the company has expanded and earned numerous awards and recognitions. Today, Mercury’s policies have comprehensive coverage and add-ons that help you customize your insurance. 

The customer reviews are mixed, although there are predominantly positive. The company is financially stable, so you shouldn’t have issues with your claims. Mercury Insurance is also affordable. Unfortunately, it’s available in only 11 states.

When it comes to financial strength ratings, A.M. Best and Fitch gave Mercury an A rank, which shows it’s a financially solid company with no problem paying out claims. Still, the customer satisfaction ratings are slightly mixed. 

Although there are more positive reviews than negative ones, J.D. Power still didn’t list Mercury in its 2020 Home Insurance Study. That is why we think Mercury can offer better service in the future and correct these ranks.

Mercury General Corporation owns Mercury Insurance. It is the leading independent agency, provider of auto and home insurance policies. It’s ranked as the sixth-largest auto insurer in California. 

Mercury General Corporation has numerous insurance and non-insurance subsidiaries. Altogether, Mercury Insurance is financially stable, and its policies are available in 11 states. It has over 4,400 employees and over 9,400 independent agents ready to help.

If you purchase home insurance from Mercury, you’ll enjoy comprehensive coverage with great options to expand it beyond your home and belongings. The standard policy covers the dwelling and other structures, personal property, liability, and similar. 

Your roof will be insured if the covered perils cause damage. Still, roof leaks that resulted from the lack of maintenance or normal wear and tear won’t be covered.

The standard Mercury insurance policy covers the dwelling and includes the cost to repair your home, your personal belongings, and liability, which protects you if you cause injury or damage to another person.

You’ll also have guest medical insurance, extended replacement cost, additional living expenses coverage, and other structures coverage. The optional add-ons include ID theft, Home Systems, and Home Cyber protection features. Floods, earthquakes, and landslides require separate policies.

Each home insurance policy has specific perils named in it that you’ll be covered for. The common ones include fire and smoke damage, weather-related hazards, theft, vandalism, damage from civil disturbances, snow or ice, explosions, and similar.

If the mold results from the named peril, like the water leak from internal sources, chances are it will be covered. The best way to know whether your policy will cover the mold is to ask your agent to explain all the coverage options in your Mercury home insurance.

Our verdict: Safeco is a Liberty Mutual company that offers excellent coverage across the US. You’ll enjoy affordable customization options and damage assessment via video call to speed things up. 

Safeco was founded in 1923, and today it’s a Liberty Mutual company and belongs among the largest insurers in the US. Safeco home insurance is sold through a network of independent agents and other underwriting companies like America First Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual, West American Insurance Company, and others. 

With Safeco, you can file your claims online or over the phone and get 24/7 assistance. Its RealTime Review system helps you get damage assessment via video call. Keep reading to find out more about the property insurance policies you can purchase at Safeco. 

Safeco Home Insurance Pros and Cons 

There are many things to consider when selecting an insurance company. Some have better customer support, while others offer more discounts. Our list of Safeco’s strong and weak sides can help you decide if it is the best option for you.

Pros

• Comprehensive coverage options
• Easy claims process
• Variety of insurance products
• Affordable add-ons
• Damage assessment via video call
• Available in most states

Cons

• High insurance premiums
• Below-average customer service rating

Safeco Homeowners Insurance Overview 

Safeco is known for its great home insurance coverage. You can customize the standard and optional policies to fit your needs and budget. The best way to determine the level of coverage you need is to discuss it with a licensed agent. 

With Safeco, you’ll also have access to a Home Warranty feature. The company partnered with American Home Shield to provide a service that covers usual wear and tear. Furthermore, Safeco insurance is available in 48 states.

Features 

Let’s explore the features of Safeco home insurance and other property-related insurance policies. 

Homeowners

Safeco’s website is packed with detailed information about its homeowners policies, so you won’t have any issues finding out the essentials. The coverage is divided into a standard and an optional type. 

The standard policy includes personal property and liability, so you’ll be covered if you cause damage to others. The insurance protects your dwelling from named perils, such as fire, hail, theft, vandalism, and others. 

Finally, the standard Safeco home insurance coverage has a personal property replacement cost, and it will pay the actual cash value for items listed in the contract. The list of add-ons to customize your policy includes: 

• Valuable articles coverage — protection for high-valued items
• Equipment breakdown — secures household equipment 
• Service line — related to potentially waived deductibles 
• Extended dwelling coverage — increases policy limits
• Identity recovery —helps restore your identity after a theft 
• Guaranteed repair network — connects you with experts for estimates and repairs 

Renters

Your landlord likely has an insurance policy that protects the home you live in. However, you should have a policy that protects you and the things you own inside those walls. The standard renters Safeco home insurance coverages include: 

• Personal property coverage
• Liability
• Additional living expenses 

The policy add-ons include: 

• Valuable articles coverage 
• Personal property replacement cost coverage 
• ID theft recovery 

Condo

Condo insurance can protect the items in your unit, yourself, and your family members. It also has a standard and optional coverage, and the standard one includes: 

• Personal property
• Liability
• Dwelling
• Additional living expenses 

The available Safeco condo insurance add-ons are: 

• Valuable articles coverage
• Personal property replacement cost coverage
• Identity recovery 

Landlords

You should consider purchasing landlords insurance, as it offers slightly different coverage than the classic home insurance policy, such as:

• Extended dwelling — up to 25% more protection 
• Premises liability — protection against libel, slander, wrongful eviction, and similar
• Wind and hail — insures the windows on your property 
• Fair rental value — covers the rent lost due to repairs 

This type of Safeco homeowners insurance also comes with customizable options: 

• Inflation protection — coverage for a loss in a time of inflation
• Additional valuable coverage loss — water backup and sump coverage, theft of personal property, and similar 
• Limited Liability Company coverage — a great option if you establish an LLC for rental properties 

Home Warranty

The Home Warranty option can relieve you of the hassle of making repairs. Safeco partnered with American Home Shield and provides 24/7 service of 17,000 licensed contractors who can repair your AC, fridge, and other appliances. 

Know that this is a standalone product, and you don’t have to purchase any insurance to get it. 

Flood

Safeco offers flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program as a separate policy. The cost varies by state, and landlords or the state may require that you purchase it. 

If you live in Florida, you might also have access to private flood insurance companies. However, floods don’t happen only in coastal areas, and you should consider such a policy, regardless of where you live. 

Earthquake 

Safeco provides earthquake insurance aimed at rebuilding your home and other properties if needed. The policy is available for residential properties, comes with a few discounts, and covers the following items: 

• Personal belongings 
• Appliances and furniture 
• Injury
• Debris removal and similar 

Mobile App

Safeco also has a great mobile app that’s available for Android and iOS. It provides seamless login, the option to contact your agent, and access all your information in one place. 

You can use the Safeco insurance app to pay your bills, review current policies, receive notifications about the documents you need to sign, and more. 

This app is great for auto policyholders since you can use it for roadside assistance, upload pictures of the damage, and search for auto repair shops. The recent reviews show that a couple of users had issues with a blank screen. Regardless, the app is generally well-rated. 

Financial Strength

When it comes to Safeco home insurance reviews of its financial strength, A.M. Best ranks it with an A (Excellent) rating. Moody’s assigned it an A2 rating, and S&P gave it an A- (Strong).

Since Safeco is backed by Liberty Mutual, which is a Fortune 100 company, there’s no reason to expect issues with your claims. These financial ratings are solid, and Safeco has a stable outlook.

Customer Service

Safeco’s website has a dedicated section where you can find how to contact customer support. You can also read the blog about Safeco homeowners insurance and explore other resources. However, you’ll have to log in to access customer support. 

Unfortunately, recent customer reviews are poor — primarily about billing issues and lack of customer support. In its 2020 Home Insurance Study, J.D. Power ranks Safeco with 802/1,000, which is below the average. 

If you face issues, we advise you to remain persistent in your efforts with customer representatives.

• Nerdwallet – 4
• Consumeraffairs – 3.1
• WalletHub – 2.3
• Clearsurance – 4.04

Safeco Home Insurance Quote 

Before you consider purchasing a home insurance policy, you should factor in your location, home age, and the type of coverage you need. All that, together with the deductible and selected add-ons, will affect the final cost of your insurance policy. 

Safeco offers relatively affordable premiums. Estimations show that for a dwelling worth $250,000, the annual cost is about $1,841, which is about $150 per month. This price is higher than the national average. Still, Safeco offers many discounts to help you save. 

Safeco Insurance Discounts

We’ll list and explain all available discounts for property-related insurance policies. 

Safeco Package

This discount is available if you combine homeowners and auto policies. 

Protective Devices

If your home has an alarm, fire, or smoke system, you can apply for this deal. 

Advanced Quote

You could save money if you get your quote in advance. 

Multi-policy

If you combine renters and auto insurance, you might be eligible for this offer.

Pay in Full

You’ll lower your Safeco home insurance payment if you take care of the full sum at once. 

Higher Deductible

If you decide to increase your deductible, that will lower the cost of your insurance policy. 

Account Credit

This discount is available if you insure your rental property and home. By purchasing these two policies, you might qualify for 5% credit. 

Discount for Homeowners and Landlords

That is another discount for those who insure their home and rental properties. With this deal, you might get 5% off. 

Safeco Home Insurance Rates Comparison

Below, we’ll compare the prices of other insurance companies and Safeco to give you an overview of the different offers. 

Overall Competition Comparison

The price is an integral part of your home insurance, but you should also consider the financial strength, policy availability, and customer support quality of the company you decide to go with. Here’s how Safeco measures up. 

Expert Thoughts 

Safeco has an excellent website with detailed information about its policies. Currently, Safeco home insurance goes through a network of independent agents and other underwriting insurers. 

The coverage is comprehensive, with excellent affordable add-ons to customize your policy. 

Safeco offers a Home Warranty feature through American Home Shield that serves to fix some of your home appliances. If you want extended coverage and an easy claims process, Safeco is the right choice.

However, its customer support could be improved, and the insurance premiums could be lower. So, if you prioritize affordability and good customer support, we advise you to look for other insurers. 

People Also Ask

Safeco has many decades of experience in the industry and is backed by Liberty Mutual, which is a known insurer in the US. It has tools to speed up your claims submission, and you can get damage assessment via video call. 

Overall, the home insurance coverage is comprehensive, with valuable add-ons. Safeco also has a good list of discounts to help you lower your costs. Even though its customer support could improve and the monthly premiums can be lower, Safeco provides an excellent and easy claims process.

Liberty Mutual is the sixth-largest global insurer with 45,000 employees across the world. It offers services in 29 countries, and it’s been a parent company to Safeco since 2008. 

The cooperation enabled Safeco to focus on personal insurance and improve its services. Today, Safeco offers a variety of insurance policies across the US with great coverage and options to expand insurance to cover essential personal items.

Safeco homeowners policies come with standard and optional coverage. The standard insurance includes the dwelling, personal property, liability, and personal property replacement cost coverage. 

The optional coverages are different for homeowners, condo, or renters policy and usually include protection for high-valuable items, extended dwelling coverage, ID theft protection, and similar. 

There’s also a Home Warranty, so Safeco’s partners can help repair your appliances in some cases.

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to home insurance, and the cost is among the crucial things. Many factors determine how much you’ll pay for your homeowners policy — your location, home age, and the coverage you need. 

Safeco insurance policies tend to be higher than the national average, costing about $150 per month. GEICO’s policies are more affordable, with a $100 monthly fee. Still, both insurers offer discounts that you can save with.

There’s a difference when it comes to water damage and flood damage. If the water damage is not caused by inadequate maintenance, you might be able to submit a claim. On the other hand, you’ll have to purchase the appropriate coverage if you live in a flood-prone area.

Safeco offers an add-on for valuable coverage loss that protects you from water backup and sump coverage, but it’s available for landlords insurance. To check if you’ll be protected from water damage, consult with an agent.

Natural disasters can happen at any time. Your property insurance will likely include roof replacement in case of hail damage. The same goes for the weight of snow, wildfires, and similar peril. Know that you may also have a higher deductible.

You can check whether you have such coverage by either logging into your mobile app or reaching out to a Safeco agent and asking your policy details. If you experience such damage, make sure to document it, protect it from further harm, and wait for a claims adjuster to visit. That’s the best way to utilize Safeco home insurance.

Our verdict: Formerly known as Ameriprise, Connect is now partners with Costco and offers affordable home insurance policies with great add-ons and benefits to the retailer’s members. 

Connect is an insurance agency with 20 years of experience powered by American Family Insurance that has been on the market for nearly a century. Connect home insurance provides exclusive deals to over 400,000 Costco members, along with auto, renters, and other standard policies. 

It offers diversified coverages at affordable rates and various discounts. It has an excellent website packed with detailed information. Additionally, the company provides unique policies that you can’t find with many other insurers.

Our review will tell you all you need to know about this provider to help you make your decision.

Connect Home Insurance Pros and Cons 

Every insurance company has good and bad aspects regarding business decisions, customer service, and handling claims. Here’s what you need to consider before purchasing your insurance with Connect.

Pros

• Low rates
• Availability in 44 states
• Flexible payment plans
• Costco members discounts and benefits
• Solid discount offers
• Website with detailed information

Cons

• Not a direct provider of policies
• Below-average customer satisfaction

Costco Home Insurance Overview 

Connect insurance is suitable for both new clients and experienced individuals with particular requirements. Homeowners insurance protects your home, personal property, and yourself with additional benefits, like identity theft or fraud protection. 

Connect offers some unique add-ons, such as mine subsidence and earthquake protection. Several endorsements include home media equipment, water backup, or personal injury. The homeowners policy is diverse enough to provide excellent coverage for any homeowner.

Features 

Let’s explore the features of the home insurance policies you can purchase at Connect. 

Home and Condo

Connect home insurance applies to your home, belongings, or both. The dwelling coverage protects the physical structure in case of these covered events:

• Lightning 
• Fire or smoke
• Windstorm
• Hail
• Explosion
• Vandalism
• Falling objects
• Damage caused by aircraft or a motor vehicle

It also includes plumbing, heating, electrical wiring, and similar installations. It may apply to other structures on your property, like garages or decking. However, the dwelling coverage doesn’t include damage caused by lack of maintenance, floods, sewer backups, and similar.

Connect condo insurance has the same features.  

Additionally, personal property coverage insures your clothing, furniture, appliances, and electronics, while scheduled personal property serves to protect high-value items in your home such as:

• Jewelry 
• Furs
• Silverware 
• Stamps, coins, and other collectibles
• Computers 
• Firearms and similar 

The endorsements, which help you customize your policy and expand coverage, include: 

• Home media equipment — protects TVs, home theatres, computers, and other electronics
• Adventure equipment — covers golf clubs, skis, bikes, and fishing equipment
• Connect insurance for water damage — covers water backup and sump overflow
• Personal injury— covers false arrest, imprisonment, slander, libel, and similar

You can also add loss of use coverage, which pays additional living expenses while your home is rebuilt, personal liability coverage for damage or injury to other people, and medical payments coverage if a visitor gets hurt on your property. 

Other benefits include: 

• ID theft protection
• Food spoilage protection
• Lock replacement expense
• Wildfire loss coverage

Earthquake

Connect earthquake insurance is another add-on you can use to expand coverage. It insures your dwelling, detached structures, and personal property. It also covers debris removal, additional living expenses, damage to personal belongings, and more. 

If you need additional protection for fire or damage to your vehicles, fences, or pools, you’ll have to purchase them separately.  

Mine Subsidence 

There are many abandoned mines across the US, and millions of homes are built over them. With Connect Costco insurance, you can protect your home in case of land shifting or collapsing because of man-made mines. Some states require that you have this coverage, but others don’t offer it at all. 

Renters

Regardless if you rent your first place or renew an existing policy, renters insurance is a good choice to protect your personal belongings. Personal property covers your items if they get stolen, damaged, or lost in a natural disaster. 

With this type of Costco Connect insurance, you’ll also have personal liability and be able to pay medical costs to others. Your living expenses will be covered if you have to leave your rental due to damage or natural disaster. 

Scheduled personal property insures certain items in your possession. In most states, you can secure: 

• Jewelry
• Stamps, coins, and other collections
• Computers
• Art
• Furs
• Firearms
• Silverware and similar

If your rental has a basement, you can include water backup and sump overflow to your renters insurance. This coverage is an add-on, just like the optional earthquake coverage and personal injury coverage.  

Flood

Connect flood insurance goes through the National Flood Insurance Program if your community participates in it and covers: 

• Dwelling and the foundation 
• Electrical and plumbing systems
• Central AC
• Refrigerators, stoves, and built-in appliances
• Carpets
• Window blinds
• Debris removal, etc.

Keep in mind that structures built over water can’t be insured with the flood policy. Damage from moisture or mildew is typically not covered, and neither are items in basements. The waiting period before the flood policy becomes effective is 30 days.

Financial Strength

A.M. Best gives Connect great insurance reviews for its financial strength — the third-highest rating, an A. The company is also a BBB accredited business. 

As Connect is part of the American Family Insurance Group, we’ll mention its ratings as well. A.M. Best rates it with an A (Excellent), proving a stable financial outlook. Based on that, you shouldn’t experience any issues with your claims. 

Connect Home Insurance Customer Service 

There are several ways to reach Connect customer support. One option is via the phone number listed on the “Contact Us” page. There are also two FAQ sections designed to answer your most common questions. 

According to the latest reviews, the customer support and the overall service are not the best on the market. Some of the complaints were related to delays, long claim handling, and denial. 

Regarding J.D. Power’s 2020 Home Insurance Study on customer satisfaction, Connect is not listed. However, American Family has a score of 821/1,000, which is just below the average. 

• NerdWallet — 3.5
• Wallethub — 1.7
• Valuepenguin — 60%
• Clearsurance — 3.7

Connect Home Insurance Quote

The cost of your monthly premium will mostly depend on your location. Not all states have the same requirements for homeowners policy coverage. So, if you wish to expand coverage and include several add-ons, your premium will be higher. 

Usually, the calculations for a monthly premium are for an average of $250,000-worth dwelling. With Connect, you can expect to pay about a $73 monthly fee. That is below the national average of $100. 

Connect also has a good list of discounts to help you lower your premium even further, and we’ll cover those in the following section.

Discounts 

There are many discounts available for lowering your Connect home insurance quote, and here is how you can qualify. 

Age of Home

Connect will consider the age of your home, and the newer it is, the higher the discount you can get. 

Claims Free

This deal is available in some states. If you haven’t filed a claim in the last five years, you might be eligible. 

Protective Devices

If you installed smoke alarms, deadbolt locks, have fire extinguishers or any other security system, you’ll likely qualify for this deal and save more on home insurance from Connect. 

Tenure 

Ask your agent about your anniversary celebration and whether you’ll qualify for this offer. Keep in mind that it’s not available in all states. 

Multi-products

Bundling policies is a standard way to save with many providers. With Connect, you can hold two or three policies to receive a discount, such as home, auto, or umbrella insurance. 

Renovation

Depending on the state, you might be eligible for this deal if you recently handled roof replacement, heating and cooling system renovation, or electrical and plumbing renovation.  

Costco Home Insurance Rates Comparison

You can see how Connect compares in terms of the monthly cost of home insurance policies to a couple of other popular companies. 

Overall Competition Comparison 

Let’s see how Connect home insurance compares to a few other insurance companies regarding policy availability, customer satisfaction, and financial strength. 

Expert Thoughts

Connect used to be called Ameriprise, and the shift brought some issues with current clients and their support, resulting in poor customer reviews. Still, Connect home insurance is available to Costco members and regular customers and is backed by American Family Insurance.

Connect insurance policies provide good coverage, and there are some unconventional add-ons to help you expand the protection of your home, items, and yourself. The policies are more affordable than the national average, and there are plenty of discounts that you can qualify for to lower your expenses. 

Overall, Connect insurance is a good choice if you’re a Costco member looking for good coverage at a low price. 

People Also Ask

Connect is backed by American Family Insurance and is partnered with Costco. As such, it’s ideal for the retailer’s members. In addition, it offers a variety of insurance policies and has affordable coverage with excellent discount options. 

However, customers aren’t entirely satisfied with customer support and how the company handles claims. If you still decide to go with Connect, you’ll enjoy excellent insurance and other perks.

Costco is known for offering discounts on bulk foods and inexpensive hot dogs, but that’s not all it is about. The company also provides money-saving services and home insurance that you can purchase through Connect. 

You don’t have to be a Costco member to buy insurance, but you’ll be eligible for more benefits if you are. There are several endorsements as well, and the premiums are generally low. Connect is backed by American Family, which provides the necessary experience in the field.

Connect insurance policies are inexpensive. Still, the coverage is comprehensive and available in almost all states. There are many add-ons and endorsements that other insurers don’t offer. These allow you to customize your coverage but keep it affordable. 

If you’re a Costco member, you may also receive exclusive benefits and discounts. Currently, about 400,000 Costco members have switched their auto and home insurance to Connect. Still, if you insist on excellent customer support, Connect might not be the best fit for you.

Connect was owned by Ameriprise, a financial company that offered financial advice, investments, banking, and insurance products. Currently, Ameriprise is still active, but it’s focused more on other services, and its insurance policies strictly belong to Connect and American Family Insurance.   

Connect is the brand name of American Family Connect Property and American Family Connect Insurance Company and is not affiliated with Ameriprise Financial Inc. in any way.

Costco offers home insurance via Connect, previously known as Ameriprise, but is now owned by American Family. With Connect, Costco can provide customers with good coverage, add-ons to customize policies and deals, and other benefits to save costs.

Costco insurance is available in 44 states and the District of Columbia. Still, Connect has issues when it comes to customer satisfaction. Many policyholders reported problems with their claims, delays, and slow service. Nonetheless, Connect home insurance is one of the least expensive and comprehensible options on the market.