Asshield is an independent agency at 2240 Executive Dr Ste 103 in Lexington. We compare home insurance for homeowners across Lexington and Central Kentucky, including Georgetown, Nicholasville, Richmond, Winchester, Paris, Versailles and Frankfort.
Why home insurance renewals go up
A higher renewal doesn't always mean you did anything. Common reasons:
- Rebuilding costs. Some carriers raise dwelling limits each year to keep up with construction costs, and the premium follows.
- Weather losses. Hail, wind and storm claims across a region can push a carrier's rates up for everyone, not just people who filed a claim.
- Your home's details. An aging roof, older systems, or an updated inspection or aerial image can change your rating.
- Your history. Recent claims, or a change in credit-based insurance information where carriers use it, can affect pricing.
- Coverage changes. A new or higher wind/hail deductible, endorsements added or removed, or discounts that fell off.
Read the renewal notice and compare its declarations page with last year's. Sometimes the change is a coverage change, not just a price change.
How to compare home insurance quotes the right way
A lower number only means something if the coverage is the same or better. Here's what we line up side by side:
| Compare | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Dwelling limit (Coverage A) | Should reflect rebuilding cost. A lower limit can make a quote look lower. |
| Replacement cost vs. actual cash value | Affects how much a claim pays on the house, the roof and your belongings |
| All-perils deductible | What you pay on most claims |
| Wind/hail deductible | Often separate in Kentucky, sometimes a percentage of the dwelling limit |
| Roof settlement terms | Actual cash value or roof schedules on older roofs |
| Water backup | Often an add-on, with its own limit |
| Personal property and liability limits | Match what you own and what you could be sued for |
| Other structures | Detached garages, barns, fences |
| Endorsements | Scheduled jewelry, home business, equipment breakdown, service lines |
We compare carriers such as Liberty Mutual and Grange, along with Progressive, Travelers, National General (by Allstate) and Openly, depending on which can write your home. We'll show you what actually differs between quotes, not just the bottom line.
When to shop
- 30 to 45 days before your renewal date is ideal. You'll have time to compare without rushing.
- After a big renewal increase or a non-renewal notice. Don't wait for the effective date.
- After a major update such as a new roof, new HVAC, plumbing or electrical, or a security or water-leak system. See new roof and home insurance.
- When your life changes: you got married, paid off the mortgage, started a home business, or added a pool or a dog.
You can switch in the middle of a policy term, too. You don't have to wait for renewal.
How to switch home insurance without a gap
- Choose the new policy and its start date. We'll bind it to begin on the day you choose. Many policies start at 12:01 a.m.
- Get the new declarations page or evidence of insurance.
- Send it to your mortgage servicer (if you have a mortgage). We can send it for you. The servicer needs it so they pay the new carrier and stop paying the old one.
- Cancel the old policy in writing, effective the same date the new one starts. Don't cancel before the new policy is in force.
- Watch for any refund. If you paid in advance, the old carrier usually refunds any unearned premium. Ask how they calculate it and whether it goes to you or the escrow account.
Switching when your insurance is paid through escrow
If your home insurance is paid through your mortgage escrow account, switching still works:
- The new carrier bills your mortgage servicer (not your lender's local branch).
- Your escrow account may need an adjustment, up or down, at the next analysis.
- Make sure the mortgagee clause and loan number on the new policy are exactly right. We'll confirm that with you.
- Keep an eye on your escrow statement for a month or two to make sure the old carrier stopped billing.
Got a non-renewal notice?
If your carrier says it won't renew, use the time you have. Send us the notice and your current declarations page right away. Often the reason is roof age, claims history or the carrier pulling back in an area. Knowing the reason helps us go to the carriers most likely to write the home.
What to send us to compare
- Your current declarations page (the most useful document)
- The renewal notice, if that's why you're shopping
- Roof year and material, plus any recent updates to electrical, plumbing, HVAC or the water heater
- Claims in the last 5 years (yours, and any you know of on the property)
- Mortgage servicer name and loan number
- Your auto policy, if you'd like home and auto quoted both bundled and separate
Questions we hear from Kentucky homeowners
Why did my home insurance go up with no claims?
Rate changes often come from rising rebuilding costs, regional storm losses or carrier-wide rate filings, not just your own claims. An older roof or a higher dwelling limit can also play a part. Compare this year's declarations page with last year's to see what changed.
Can I switch homeowners insurance in the middle of the policy?
Yes. Start the new policy first, then cancel the old one effective the same day. If you paid in advance, the old carrier usually refunds unearned premium. Ask them how they calculate it.
How do I switch home insurance if it's paid through escrow?
Send the new declarations page or evidence of insurance to your mortgage servicer and cancel the old policy effective the new start date. Any refund from the old carrier may go to you or to escrow, depending on how it was paid.
How often should I shop my home insurance?
A check every year or two is reasonable, and always after a big renewal increase, a non-renewal or a major home update. Shopping doesn't mean you have to switch.
Will switching affect my claim if I have one open?
A claim that happened while the old policy was active normally stays with that carrier. Tell us about any open claims before you switch.
Is bundling home and auto always better?
Not always. Bundling can affect pricing with some carriers, but the best home carrier for your house may not be the best auto carrier for your drivers. We'll show you both options.
Renewal went up? Let's compare it
Send us your declarations page and renewal notice. We'll line up the options and walk you through them.
Asshield Insurance · 2240 Executive Dr Ste 103, Lexington, KY 40505 · (859) 368-0162
Compare home insurance · Kentucky home insurance · Lexington home insurance · New home buyers
Coverage, eligibility and pricing depend on the carrier, the property and underwriting. This page is general information, not a policy or a quote.
Renewal went up?
Send your declarations page and renewal notice, and we'll line up the options side by side.
Online quote Contact formRenewal went up? Let's compare it.
Start online or call (859) 368-0162 to reach the Lexington team.