When you make a purchase as important as home owner insurance, make sure you’re getting your money’s worth by purchasing from the top home owner insurance company.

There are many factors that go into determining the top home owner insurance company; in the end, it boils down to your personal preference. Yet, you need basic guidelines to follow.

Make sure the home owner insurance company is licensed to do business in your state. You may have purchased a home owner insurance policy with the top home owner insurance company in the nation; however, if the company isn’t licensed to do business in your state you’ll most likely face trouble down the road. If the home owner insurance company isn’t licensed to do business in your state, your state’s department of insurance will be able to do very little to help you should problems between you and the home owner insurance company arise.

Check the financial strength of the home owner insurance company. To help ensure you’re choosing the top home owner insurance company, check the financial strength of the company. Independent research companies rate insurance companies based on financial strength, and you can get the unbiased information for free. Choosing a financially secure home owner insurance company is choosing a top home owner insurance company.

Research customer complaints. Find out what kinds of customer complaints are made against the home owner insurance company; look for patterns among those complaints. Also find out in what manner and how speedy the home owner insurance company resolved the complaints.

Talk with your neighbors. Word-of-mouth is often the sincerest form of advertisement, so talk with your neighbors about what home owner insurance companies they use. Since your home is near their homes, outside factors such as weather conditions and crime rates will be similar so you may be able to get an idea of the kind of home owner insurance policy rates to expect.