ABOUT THE REPORT
Protecting a home is becoming more challenging as risks continue to grow. From rising repair costs and severe weather to threats like water damage and identity fraud, today’s homeowners have concerns about whether they’re truly protected. In a market crowded with price-driven advertising, it can be increasingly difficult for homeowners to weigh cost against coverage quality.
Commissioned by The Hanover, and conducted by The Harris Poll, this report is based on a national survey of U.S. homeowners1. The survey examined homeowners’ concerns, the value they placed on key insurance coverages and their understanding of what’s included in a standard homeowners policy.
Homeowners understand the importance of quality insurance coverage when choosing an insurance carrier. In fact, 81% say comprehensive protection is essential or very important, edging out price (78%) and convenience (70%). Nearly three out of four homeowners (74%) also say they prefer a policy with broader protection, even if it costs more, over a policy that provides fewer protections but costs less.
At the same time, the survey reveals a knowledge gap. 90% of homeowners say identity fraud coverage is important to their peace of mind, yet nearly half (46%) haven’t confirmed whether it’s included in their standard homeowners policy. Similar uncertainty exists around other valued protections.
Together, these findings underscore the important role independent insurance agents play in helping homeowners understand coverage, identify gaps and feel confident they’re properly protected.
KEY FINDINGS
SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS
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4
2
3
5
Many homeowners say they have concerns about protecting their home and personal property.
When choosing an insurer, homeowners weigh coverage strength and claims service alongside price.
A large portion of homeowners value protections that go beyond basic insurance coverage.
Many homeowners haven’t verified whether those protections are included in their standard policy.
When faced with a trade-off, most homeowners prefer broader protection over lowest cost.
THE COVERAGE CONFIDENCE GAP
Home Report
2026
Choosing an insurance company involves more than selecting a policy. It’s a decision about who to trust for protection and support when something goes wrong.
To better understand how these decisions are made, the survey asked homeowners to rate the importance of several factors when choosing an insurer.
When it comes to coverage, price isn't everything
(Percentage that responded “absolutely essential” or “very important”)
Q: When choosing a company to insure your home, how important are each of the following?
The findings show that while affordability is an important consideration, it may not always be the driving factor when choosing insurance. The data shows that homeowners value the confidence that their coverage will perform as expected and that claims will be handled fairly and efficiently.
That preference becomes even clearer when homeowners are asked to make a trade‑off.
Nearly 3 in 4 homeowners indicate they would rather pay more for broader protection than save money on a policy with fewer protections. This suggests that peace of mind and avoiding unpleasant surprises after a loss outweigh the appeal of a lower premium.
Overall, the results reinforce that homeowners are looking for value: coverage that protects against real risks, supported by reliable service when it matters most.
Q: If you had to choose, which of the following would you prefer more?
81%
80%
78%
70%
64%
(e.g., easy to purchase, manage and bundle with other coverage)
(e.g., no coverage gaps/surprises)
(e.g., fast, fair, human representatives)
(e.g., low monthly/annual premium)
(e.g., guidance from a live agent)
prefer a policy with fewer protections for a lower price
prefer a policy with broader protection even if it costs more
I’m not concerned about anything
related to protecting my home
10%
Something else
1%
Liability risks (e.g. slips and falls, injuries occurring on your property)
12%
Hidden gaps in my home insurance coverage (i.e., not having coverage for some scenarios)
15%
Identity theft risks for those in my household
16%
Non-weather-related events (e.g., water leaks, fires)
32%
Damage from severe weather
or natural disasters
42%
Regular repair costs
45%
I’m not concerned about anything
related to protecting my home
Something else
Liability risks (e.g. slips and falls,
injuries occurring on your property)
Hidden gaps in my home insurance coverage
(i.e., not having coverage for some scenarios)
Identity theft risks for those in my household
Non-weather-related events
(e.g., water leaks, fires)
Damage from severe weather
or natural disasters
Regular repair costs
Q: Which of the following are among the top concerns you have when it comes to protecting your home and personal property today? Select up to two.
Protecting a home involves balancing a range of concerns, from routine maintenance to unexpected events that can result in significant out-of-pocket costs.
To understand which issues feel most pressing to homeowners, the survey asked them to identify their top concerns from a broad list of risks reflecting both everyday challenges and more serious threats.
90% of homeowners say they have concerns about protecting their home — what are their top concerns? See how your choices compare to our survey data.
Homeowners are feeling the pressure
Taking these steps can help homeowners move from uncertainty to clarity, ensuring their policies include the coverage — and provide the confidence — they value most.
Review their policy with an independent insurance agent to understand what’s included as standard and what requires additional coverage.
Based on the insights from this report, homeowners can take some simple steps to feel more confident about their insurance coverage and be better prepared for the unexpected.
What homeowners can do next
Daniel C. Halsey
President, Personal Lines
The Hanover Insurance Group
For most homeowners, insurance is about peace of mind, knowing that, if something goes wrong, they’re protected. While homeowners care deeply about insurance coverage, many aren’t fully certain what their policies include. Taking the time to work with an independent insurance agent to understand coverage and close potential gaps can make all the difference when the unexpected happens.
About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agent partners, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please visit hanover.com.
The difference the right insurer can make The right insurance company can make all the difference in the customer experience. Insurers with deep relationships with independent insurance agents help provide quality insurance protection, strong claims teams, education and resources to ensure homeowners are protected for all their different risks.
Why work with an independent agent? Independent insurance agents do more than recommend coverage. They build trusted relationships and share insights that help customers fully understand their risks and coverage options. These proactive conversations empower homeowners to make confident decisions and help prevent costly gaps in protection.
Survey method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Hanover from March 5-9, 2026, among 1,173 adults ages 18 and older who own a house. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 3.6 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact lchandler@hanover.com.
All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates (“The Hanover”). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention. For more information about The Hanover visit our website at www.hanover.com.
1 Defined as those that own a house.
Lauren E. Chandler
lchandler@hanover.com
508-855-2472
Abby C. Ursoleo
aursoleo@hanover.com
508-855-3549
Press contacts:
Consider the convenience of consolidating coverage with one insurer, including a single point of contact and one bill to manage.
Identify potential coverage gaps and ensure protection aligns with their home, location and personal situation.
Focus on high-value coverages that help them stay protected when common losses, such as water backup and identity fraud, occur.
Evaluate coverage based on overall value, not just line-item prices. Consider protection breadth and claims service alongside premium cost.
Avoid assumptions about coverage, especially for common but expensive losses like water damage.
Comprehensive protection
High-quality claims service
Price
Convenience of obtaining coverage
Expert advice from a licensed insurance professional
I’m not concerned about anything
related to protecting my home
10%
Something else
1%
Liability risks (e.g. slips and falls, injuries occurring on your property)
12%
Hidden gaps in my home insurance coverage (i.e., not having coverage for some scenarios)
15%
Identity theft risks for those in my household
16%
Non-weather-related events (e.g., water leaks, fires)
32%
Damage from severe weather or natural disasters
42%
Regular repair costs
45%
I’m not concerned about anything
related to protecting my home
Something else
Liability risks (e.g. slips and falls,
injuries occurring on your property)
Hidden gaps in my home insurance coverage
(i.e., not having coverage for some scenarios)
Identity theft risks for those in my household
Non-weather-related events
(e.g., water leaks, fires)
Damage from severe weather
or natural disasters
Regular repair costs
Select YOUR TOP TWO CONCERNS BELOW
Q: Which of the following are among the top concerns you have when it comes to protecting your home and personal property today?
90% of homeowners say they have concerns about protecting their home and personal property. To identify which issues weigh most heavily, homeowners were asked to choose from a range of everyday challenges and serious threats that can result in significant out-of-pocket costs.
Homeowners are feeling the pressure
SEE THE SURVEY RESULTS
Something else
I’m not concerned about anything
related to protecting my home
Liability risks (e.g. slips and falls,
injuries occurring on your property)
Hidden gaps in my home insurance coverage
(i.e., not having coverage for some scenarios)
Identity theft risks for those in my household
Non-weather-related events
(e.g., water leaks, fires)
Damage from severe weather
or natural disasters
Regular repair costs
prefer a policy with fewer protections for a lower price
prefer a policy with broader protection even if it costs more
74%
26%
These responses reveal a strong appreciation for protections beyond basic coverage, with many homeowners viewing them as important in giving them peace of mind.
At the same time, the data highlights a disconnect in confirming what is included in a policy. Reviewing policy details with an independent insurance agent can help homeowners avoid unexpected out-of-pocket costs.
(Percentage that responded “no”)
Have you ever verified your current homeowners insurance policy to see if the following protections are included as standard, without you having to ‘buy up’ or purchase as an add-on?
41%
SERVICE LINE
38%
WATER BACKUP
46%
IDENTITY FRAUD PROTECTION
24%
Personal property
replacement cost
Homeowners were then asked a follow-up question to determine whether they had verified if these coverages were included in their standard home policy.
(Percentage that responded “somewhat important,” “very important” or “absolutely essential”)
How valuable are each of the following protections in giving you peace of mind as a homeowner?
89%
SERVICE LINE
90%
WATER BACKUP
90%
IDENTITY FRAUD PROTECTION
96%
Personal property
replacement cost
For damage to property caused by backed-up drains or sump pump overflow (not to be confused with flood insurance)
Water backup
Repair or replacement of underground utility lines on a property, such as water or sewer lines
Service line
Replaces items with new equivalents at current prices
Personal property replacement cost
Helps cover costs to restore identity after fraud or identity theft
Identity fraud protection
Homeowners coverage, as defined by the survey
Beyond broad concerns about protecting their homes, many homeowners value additional insurance coverage that protects them against specific but costly risks.
To explore this, the survey asked homeowners to assess how valuable certain coverage features are in giving them peace of mind.
What's covered? Many homeowners aren't sure
