The eight-field comparison
| Field | What to record | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Policy form | HO-3, HO-5, HO-6, HO-4, DP-3, or another form | Different forms solve different occupancy and ownership needs. |
| Dwelling limit | Limit and replacement-cost assumptions | Unequal limits make price comparisons misleading. |
| Loss settlement | Replacement cost, actual cash value, or special roof wording | Settlement terms affect a potential claim payment. |
| Deductibles | All-peril and separate wind, hail, hurricane, or other deductibles | A lower premium may shift more loss to the policyholder. |
| Exclusions | Excluded causes of loss, property, uses, or conditions | An exclusion can matter more than a small price difference. |
| Endorsements | Included, optional, or unavailable additions | Quotes should include the same requested protection. |
| Eligibility | Occupancy, roof, systems, claims, animals, and business use | Initial quotes can change after underwriting or inspection. |
| Insurer checks | License, complaint resources, financial-strength source, claims access | Price is only one part of an insurer decision. |
No fabricated ranking
HomeQuoteAtlas does not publish a “best insurer” score without a defined dataset. Carrier availability, underwriting appetite, policy wording, and price can differ by property and state.
How to use the result
Normalize the fields first, mark every unknown, and ask the agent or carrier to answer in writing. The methodology helps organize a decision; the issued policy controls coverage.