Home insurance may not be something you often think about, but not having enough coverage could have devastating consequences. Whether you’re a homeowner, condo owner, or renter, home insurance is an essential way to protect you and your belongings from fire, theft, or other damage.

If you’re in the process of moving to a new home, or if you’re curious what other home insurance providers have to offer, it’s a good idea to shop around and get rate quotes from a few different carriers. In addition to finding a competitive price, you should also keep in mind the features and claim services offered by the provider. Here are some questions to keep in mind when shopping for new home insurance:

Is this enough coverage? The types of home insurance coverages will vary depending on whether you’re a homeowner, condo owner, or renter. Regardless, you should make sure that the amount of coverage quoted is enough to adequately protect your assets. If your assets exceed the maximum coverage available, ask about an umbrella policy.

Do I have options on how to buy? Some people like working with a local agent. Others prefer to buy direct from the insurance company. But not all companies offer both options. Make sure the company you select lets you do business the way you want to do it.

Are there ways to save besides raising my deductible? You can often get a discount when you purchase both your home and your auto insurance from the same provider. Other ways to save may also be available, such as retiree credits, renewal credits, and discounts for having home security features such as dead bolts, smoke detectors and burglar alarms.

What special claims services do you offer? Obviously, you want to feel confident that your insurance company will pay your claim if something happens to your property. But some insurance companies also strive to keep the claim process hassle-free with services such as home inventory assistance, contractor recommendations with workmanship guarantees, and home clean-up help after a major loss. Make sure your insurer will be there for you when you need them most.

Are there any special features and benefits included in the package? Some home insurance companies today are going beyond the basics to make their insurance more competitive and more attractive to shoppers. Some of the features on the market today include:

• Lifetime Renewability – this is when an insurer promises not to cancel your insurance after a claim.
• New for Old Protection – this is when an insurer pays the actual cost to replace your possessions, regardless of age or condition, with brand new items of equal quality.
• Deductible Forgiveness – this is when an insurer waives a portion or all of your deductible for large losses.
• 100% Protection – this is when an insurer pays the full cost to rebuild your home after a major loss, even if the cost to rebuild exceeds the applicable limits of your homeowners insurance policy.
• When shopping for homeowners, condo or renters insurance, keep in mind the features the provider offers, the claim service, and the discounts available.

The AARP Home Insurance Program from The Hartford offers home insurance designed exclusively for people over 50. Learn more about homeowners insurance from this Program.