Home Insurance Study Revealed Mixed Consumer Understanding
Most homeowners struggle to grasp their coverage details, while insurers that reach out proactively see better results.
Updated on Oct. 1, 2026 in Insurance
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Do you feel your insurance company makes it intentionally difficult to shop for a new policy?
The 2026 U.S. Home Insurance Study from JD Power highlights that many policyholders lack clarity regarding their coverage. The findings suggest that improved communication from insurers can bridge this significant knowledge gap.
Why it matters
Understanding policy details is essential for homeowners to avoid coverage gaps during claims, yet nearly half of all customers receive no contact from their insurer annually. Proactive outreach remains the most effective tool for increasing policy clarity among households.
The study found that 66% of insurance customers describe shopping for new coverage as difficult or time-consuming. Additionally, 48% of homeowners reported no contact with their insurance provider over the past 12 months.
The players
JD Power
An organization that tracks consumer satisfaction and provides industry benchmarking data.
Amica
A home and auto insurer that ranked first in the homeowners insurance segment for two consecutive years.
Erie Insurance
An insurance provider that ranked second in both homeowners and renters insurance segments.
Chubb
An insurance company known for property and casualty coverage that ranked third in the homeowners segment.
State Farm
A major insurance company that ranked highest in the renters insurance segment.
The details
Customer satisfaction in the study is determined by factors including price, trust, ease of doing business, and the effectiveness of digital channels. When insurers take a proactive approach to communicating with policyholders, homeowners demonstrate a higher rate of policy comprehension. This shift in engagement is crucial as many households find the current process of comparing and selecting insurance providers to be a significant administrative burden.
Timeline
July 2025 to July 2026: Survey responses were collected by JD Power.
October 1, 2026: JD Power published the 2026 U.S. Home Insurance Study.
Money Landscape
The insurance industry is currently focused on digital integration and proactive outreach to improve customer retention. This study establishes a benchmark for how policyholder satisfaction currently correlates with communication frequency.
Review your current policy documents annually to ensure you understand your coverage limits before a claim event occurs. If you find your policy language unclear, contact your provider or a licensed insurance professional to request a formal explanation of your benefits.
The takeaway
Proactive communication is the most effective way to ensure your household is not caught off-guard by coverage limitations during a claim. Set a recurring annual calendar reminder to review your policy declaration page and discuss any updates with your insurance agent or broker.
Further reading
For more on managing your coverage, see our guide on Insurance.
Live Poll
Do you feel your insurance company makes it intentionally difficult to shop for a new policy?
