Consumer Reports evaluates home insurance policies

When a storm slams through your front door, the damages you suffer are often determined by fate. But how easily you can pick up the pieces may be determined by your home insurer. Consumer Reports tells us which companies offer the best protection if disaster strikes.

Homeowner's insurance -- it's a bill Jim Sugrue paid year after year, without much thought until a summer storm brought a tree crashing onto his house.

"You could see the front door is blocked, the walkway is ripped up," said Sugrue.

Branches came right through the roof, literally cracking the walls. Suddenly it mattered how good his insurance policy really was.

"I couldn't get over how fast Liberty Mutual worked. The adjuster was there within 24 hours and I had a check within 10 days, that covered all of what they promised," said Jim Sugrue, homeowner.

Sugrue was thrilled with his service from Liberty Mutual, but Consumer Reports says that's not always the case.

"Most people are pretty satisfied with their insurance companies until they put in a claim. So we wanted to find out which insurers really come through for people when they need them most," said Consumer Reports Money Adviser Margot Gilman.

Consumer Reports surveyed nearly 10,000 subscribers who filed homeowner's insurance claims and found some companies fared better than others.

"Most people shop for home insurance once and then forget about it. So you never really have a chance to 'test' your policy until you have a problem," said Gilman.

Consumer Reports suggests picking a top insurer. Amica, USAA and auto-owners all received top ratings. And like Sugrue, occasionally reviewing your policy can help ensure you've got the right coverage in a crisis.

Another way to protect yourself? Consumer Reports suggests befriending a contractor before you really need one. Hiring someone to do small jobs around your house now means you'll have a relationship with a contractor, if you ever need someone to repair major damage.

Consumer Reports is published by Consumers Union. Both Consumer Reports and Consumers Union are not-for-profit organizations that accept no advertising. Neither has any commercial relationship with any advertiser or sponsor on this site.

(All Consumer Reports Material Copyright 2010. Consumers Union of U.S. Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.)