Why Smart Shoppers Compare Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes
Homeowners and auto insurance quotes are the starting point for saving hundreds—even thousands—of dollars each year on coverage your family needs. Here’s what you need to know:
How to Get the Best Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes:
- Request quotes from multiple insurers – Compare at least 3-5 companies to find the best rates
- Bundle your policies – Combining home and auto insurance saves an average of $693 per year
- Provide accurate information – Share details about your home square footage, roof age, vehicle VIN, and driving record
- Review coverage limits carefully – The cheapest quote isn’t always the best value if coverage falls short
- Ask about available discounts – Home security systems, safe driving programs, and higher deductibles can reduce premiums significantly
The numbers tell a compelling story. The average U.S. homeowner pays $1,516 per year for home insurance, while bundling discounts can save up to 10% on car insurance and 15% on home coverage. But here’s the catch: 72% of home insurance policyholders saw their rates increase in 2025, and 75% expect more hikes in 2026.
That’s why comparison shopping matters more than ever.
Too many families in Minnesota and Wisconsin overpay simply because they’ve never taken the time to compare quotes side-by-side. Others discover after a claim that their bargain policy had coverage gaps that cost them tens of thousands out of pocket.
Getting accurate quotes requires more than filling out a quick online form. You need to understand what you’re comparing—whether an HO-3 policy truly protects your home’s replacement cost, how collision and comprehensive auto coverage work together, and which exclusions might leave you exposed during a Minnesota winter or Wisconsin storm season.
I’m Leland Fallon, and I’ve spent years helping Midwest families secure proper protection through comprehensive homeowners and auto insurance quotes. At Fallon Insurance Agency, we’ve built our practice on making sure clients understand exactly what they’re buying before they need to file a claim.
Understanding the Basics of Home and Auto Coverage
Before you start hunting for homeowners and auto insurance quotes, it helps to know what you’re actually buying. Think of insurance as a financial safety net—you want it to be strong enough to catch you, but you don’t want to pay for a net made of gold if high-quality nylon will do the job.
Standard homeowners insurance is what the industry calls a “package” policy. This means it bundles several types of protection into one premium. The core components include:
- Dwelling Coverage: This is the big one. it covers the structure of your home (the walls, roof, and floors) if they are damaged by a covered peril like fire or wind.
- Personal Property: This covers your “stuff”—furniture, clothes, electronics, and even that collection of vintage Minnesota Vikings jerseys in the basement.
- Liability Protection: If someone slips on your icy sidewalk in Cannon Falls and sues you, this coverage helps pay for legal fees and medical bills.
For a deeper dive into these terms, check out our Ultimate Guide to Home Insurance.
On the auto side, your policy is usually a mix of state-required minimums and optional protections that we highly recommend. Standard types include:
- Collision Insurance: Covers damage to your car if you hit another vehicle or an object (like a tree or a fence).
- Comprehensive Coverage: Covers “acts of God” or things out of your control, such as theft, vandalism, or hitting a deer—a common occurrence during deer season in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
- Standard Perils: These are the specific risks your policy covers, such as fire, lightning, and windstorms.
You can find more info on auto insurance on our dedicated service page.
Comparing Policy Types: HO-3 vs. HO-5
When you look at homeowners and auto insurance quotes, the fine print matters. Most homeowners in the Midwest are sold an HO-3 policy. It’s the “standard” choice, but it has limitations.
- HO-3 (Special Form): This covers your home’s structure for “all risks” (except specific exclusions) but only covers your personal belongings for “named perils.” If it’s not on the list, it’s not covered.
- HO-5 (Comprehensive Form): This is the “Gold Standard.” It provides “open perils” coverage for both the structure and your belongings. It’s broader and offers more peace of mind.
One of the biggest mistakes we see is homeowners choosing a policy based solely on the lowest price, which often leads to risks of ‘Check the Box’ home insurance. This is where you end up with “Actual Cash Value” (ACV) instead of “Replacement Cost.” ACV takes depreciation into account—meaning if your 15-year-old roof is destroyed, the insurance company only pays what a 15-year-old roof is worth today, not what it costs to build a new one.
The Financial Benefits of Bundling Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes
If you enjoy keeping more of your money (and who doesn’t?), bundling is your best friend. In the insurance world, this is known as a multi-policy discount. By placing your home and car insurance with the same carrier, you become a more “loyal” customer, and insurers reward that loyalty with significant price cuts.
| Coverage Type | Separate Policies | Bundled Policy | Potential Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auto Insurance | $1,200/year | $1,080/year | 10% Savings |
| Home Insurance | $1,516/year | $1,288/year | 15% Savings |
| Total | $2,716/year | $2,368/year | $348 Savings |
Statistics show that customers who bundle save an average of $693 per year on their combined premiums. Beyond the raw numbers, there are several “hidden” benefits:
- Convenience: You have one login, one agent (us!), and one renewal date to remember.
- Single Deductible Options: Some carriers offer a “single deductible” benefit. If a massive hail storm hits your property and damages both your roof and the car parked in the driveway, you might only have to pay one deductible instead of two.
- Better Retention: Insurers are less likely to “drop” a client who has multiple policies with them after a single claim.
While bundling is usually the cheapest route, we always recommend shopping the market. Occasionally, two separate companies might actually be cheaper than a bundle, and our job at Fallon Insurance Agency is to find that “sweet spot” for you.
Key Factors That Determine Your Insurance Rates
Why does your neighbor in Rochester pay less for insurance than you do in Hudson? It’s not just luck; it’s math. Insurance companies use complex algorithms to determine your risk level.
- Location Impact: Where you live is the biggest factor. Living in a high-crime area or a region prone to severe weather (like the heavy snows of Eau Claire) will drive up rates. For local insights, read our Home Insurance in Minnesota: A Comprehensive Guide to Smarter Protection.
- Credit Score: In many states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin, your credit history plays a role. A higher credit score generally leads to lower homeowners and auto insurance quotes.
- Roof Age and Condition: A 20-year-old roof is a liability. Newer roofs often qualify for significant discounts because they are less likely to leak or fail during a storm. This is why standard roof coverage is often not enough.
- Claims History: If you’ve filed three claims in the last five years, insurers view you as “high risk.”
One major factor people forget is regional risks. In the Midwest, we don’t worry much about hurricanes, but we do worry about sewer backups and frozen pipes. It’s also important to note that standard policies almost always exclude flood damage and earthquakes. If you live near a river or in a low-lying area, you’ll need a separate policy for that. The Insurance Information Institute provides a helpful overview of what standard homeowners policies typically cover and exclude.
How to Secure Accurate Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes
Getting a quote is easy. Getting an accurate quote? That’s the hard part. You have two main paths:
- Online Comparison Tools: These are great for a quick “ballpark” figure, but they often miss the nuances of your specific property.
- Independent Insurance Agents: This is what we do at Fallon Insurance Agency. We don’t work for one single insurance company; we work for you. We can pull rates from dozens of top-rated carriers to find the best fit.
If you’re ready to see what’s available, you can Get a Quote directly through our site.
Another modern way to save is through usage-based insurance (UBI) or telematics. Programs like these use a smartphone app to monitor your driving habits. If you’re a safe driver who doesn’t slam on the brakes or speed through school zones, you can earn up to 25% to 35% in safe driving rewards. It’s a great way to take control of your costs. For more on this, see our guide on Navigating Auto Insurance.
What Information is Needed for Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes?
To get a quote that won’t change the moment you try to buy the policy, you need to have your “homework” ready. You will generally need:
- Personal Info: Full name, birth date, and Social Security Number (for that credit-based insurance score).
- Home Details: Square footage, year built, age of the roof, and the type of heating/plumbing systems.
- Vehicle Info: The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) for all cars and your estimated annual mileage.
- Driving Record: Any tickets or accidents within the last 3-5 years.
Once you submit this info, review the quote details carefully and confirm the coverages, deductibles, and effective dates before you bind coverage.
How to Compare Homeowners and Auto Insurance Quotes Online
When you’re looking at a screen full of numbers, don’t just look at the monthly payment. Look at the coverage limits.
- Liability Limits: We recommend at least $300,000 to $500,000. If you have significant assets, you might even want an Umbrella policy.
- Deductibles: Are they “flat” (e.g., $1,000) or “percentage-based” (e.g., 2% of your home’s value)? Percentage deductibles can be a nasty surprise after a storm.
Maximizing Your Savings and Finalizing Your Policy
Once you have your homeowners and auto insurance quotes in hand, it’s time to squeeze out every last drop of savings.
- Home Security: Do you have a monitored alarm system? That’s a discount.
- Impact-Resistant Roofs: In hail-prone areas, upgrading your shingles can pay for itself in premium savings over a few years.
- Accident Forgiveness: Some carriers offer this feature, so your rates won’t skyrocket after your first minor fender bender. Learn what accident forgiveness actually means before you opt-in.
- Low Mileage: If you work from home in Cannon Falls and rarely drive, make sure your agent knows!
When you’re ready to pull the trigger, pay attention to the effective dates. You want your new policy to start the exact moment your old one ends to avoid a “lapse in coverage,” which can cause your rates to spike in the future. If you have a mortgage, we will help you coordinate with your escrow account so the bank knows where to send the payment.
Frequently Asked Questions about Insurance Quotes
Why did my homeowners insurance rate increase in 2026?
You aren’t imagining it. Rates are going up across the board. The main culprits are inflation and the rising cost of construction materials. It costs significantly more to rebuild a home today than it did three years ago. In fact, 75% of policyholders expect hikes this year. We keep a close eye on these trends in our Blog.
Does a higher deductible always save money?
In terms of your monthly premium, yes. But it’s a gamble. You should only choose a higher deductible (like $2,500 or $5,000) if you have that money sitting in an emergency fund. If a pipe bursts and you can’t afford the deductible, the insurance won’t kick in to help. For smaller car troubles, you might want to look into 100 Mile Towing Coverage to save on out-of-pocket costs.
What are common exclusions in a standard home policy?
As mentioned, floods and earthquakes are the big ones. But many people are surprised to find that sewer backup and sump pump failure are also often excluded unless you add a specific “rider” or endorsement to your policy. Also, if your roof is old, you might only have “Actual Cash Value” coverage, which is why standard roof coverage is not enough.
Conclusion
Finding the best homeowners and auto insurance quotes doesn’t have to be a headache. At Fallon Insurance Agency, we specialize in helping residents of Minnesota and Wisconsin find smarter, more affordable protection. Whether you’re in Rochester, Hudson, or right here in Cannon Falls, we provide the local expertise you need to save thousands without sacrificing safety.
Ready to stop overpaying? Contact Us today or get started with a personalized home insurance quote online. We look forward to helping you protect what matters most!
Leland Fallon
Leland Fallon is the Founder of Fallon Insurance Agency, serving Minnesota and Wisconsin families and business owners with personalized home, auto, commercial, and life insurance solutions. His mission is simple: protect what matters most. With a focus on clear guidance, strong coverage, and long-term relationships, Leland helps clients make confident insurance decisions — not rushed ones.
