How to read your home insurance renewal notice.

Start with the annual premium

Compare the total annual premium from last year with the new annual premium. If your mortgage escrow pays insurance monthly, convert the renewal to an annual number so you are comparing the same time period.

RateReceipt uses annual totals because monthly escrow changes can include taxes, shortage adjustments, or timing differences that are not purely insurance premium.

Check dwelling and personal property limits

A premium can rise because the insurer increased estimated rebuilding cost, dwelling coverage, other structures coverage, personal property limits, or loss-of-use coverage. Higher limits can be appropriate, but they should not be invisible.

Look for labels such as dwelling, Coverage A, personal property, replacement cost, extended replacement cost, ordinance or law, and inflation guard.

Compare deductibles carefully

A lower deductible usually costs more; a higher deductible can lower premium but increases what you pay after a covered loss. In coastal or wildfire-exposed states, separate hurricane, wind, hail, or fire deductibles may matter more than the all-perils deductible.

Look for endorsements and exclusions

Premium is only one part of the renewal. Review whether endorsements were added, removed, or changed. Also check whether roof coverage, water backup, service line, mold, ordinance, or replacement-cost terms changed.

Questions to ask

• Did my dwelling limit or replacement-cost estimate change?
• Did any deductible change, including wind, hail, hurricane, or wildfire deductibles?
• Were discounts added or removed?
• Were endorsements, exclusions, or roof terms changed?
• Is this a renewal, nonrenewal, or conditional renewal?

Official resources

For broader consumer guidance, review the NAIC homeowners insurance topic page and the CFPB guide to shopping for homeowners insurance.