Getting a home insurance quote is easier than most people expect — but the quality of your quote depends on the quality of the information behind it. At MBG Insurance, we shop your home across multiple carriers, and the more accurate the details you give us, the more accurate (and competitive) your quotes will be. Here’s exactly what to have ready before you call, whether you’re buying your first home, closing on a new one, or shopping your current policy.
The Basic Information Every Quote Starts With
Every home insurance quote begins with the property address and some basic personal information: your full name, date of birth, and how long you’ve lived at (or when you’ll close on) the home. If you’re married or buying the home with someone else, we’ll need the same information for the co-owner, since both names should appear on the policy.
Carriers also use an insurance score as part of their pricing in Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas, so having your personal information accurate matters more than you might think. You don’t need to pull any reports yourself — we handle that during the quoting process with your permission.
Details About the Home Itself
This is where a good quote is won or lost. Have these details ready:
- Year built and square footage. These drive replacement cost — what it would take to rebuild your home from the ground up, which is different from the market price you paid.
- Roof age and material. In Missouri and surrounding states, hail and wind claims dominate, so carriers care a lot about your roof. Know when it was last replaced and whether it’s composition shingle, metal, or something else.
- Construction type. Frame, brick veneer, or full masonry.
- Updates to major systems. If your plumbing, electrical, HVAC, or water heater have been updated, tell us the year. Updates on an older home can significantly improve both eligibility and pricing.
- Foundation and features. Basement (finished or unfinished), attached or detached garage, decks, fireplaces, and any outbuildings.
If you’re buying the home, much of this is in your inspection report or the seller’s disclosure — keep those handy.
Your Insurance and Claims History
Carriers will ask about your current or prior home insurance: who your carrier is, how long you’ve been continuously insured, and whether you’ve filed any claims in the past five years. A lapse in coverage or a recent claim doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it does change which carriers are the best fit — and that’s exactly where an independent agency earns its keep. Instead of one company’s answer, we can place your home with the carrier that treats your situation most favorably.
Be upfront about claims, even small ones. Carriers verify claims history through industry databases, and a surprise on the report slows everything down.
Things That Affect Liability: Dogs, Pools, and Trampolines
Expect questions about dogs (breed matters to some carriers), swimming pools, trampolines, and wood stoves. None of these are dealbreakers with the right carrier, but they must be disclosed. An undisclosed pool or dog bite risk is one of the fastest ways to end up with a denied claim or a canceled policy — and protecting you from that outcome is our job.
If You’re Buying a Home: Lender and Closing Details
If there’s a mortgage involved, we’ll need your lender’s name and your closing date. Your lender will require proof of insurance before closing, and they’ll want to be listed on the policy as mortgagee. Give your agent at least a week before closing when you can — it leaves room to shop carriers properly instead of grabbing the first quote available. We coordinate directly with your lender and title company so the evidence of insurance is where it needs to be on closing day.
Coverage Decisions to Think About Before You Buy
You don’t need to walk in with answers, but it helps to think about a few choices in advance: your wind/hail and all-other-perils deductibles, whether you want replacement cost on your personal property, and whether you need scheduled coverage for jewelry, firearms, or collectibles. If you run a business from home, own rental property, or have a finished basement, mention it — those details change what the right policy looks like. This is a conversation, not a form, and it’s where working with a local agent beats an online quote engine every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to get a home insurance quote?
With the information above ready, most quotes come together within one business day, and simple ones can be same-day. Because MBG is an independent agency, we’re quoting your home with multiple carriers at once — including Auto-Owners, Travelers, Liberty Mutual, The Hartford, and Barton Mutual — rather than making you gather quotes one company at a time.
Do I need an inspection to get home insurance?
Not to get a quote. Some carriers order an exterior inspection after the policy is issued, especially on older homes, and a few may request interior photos. If you’re buying the home, your purchase inspection report is a great source for the property details carriers ask about.
Can I get home insurance with a claim on my record?
Usually, yes. A single claim rarely makes a home uninsurable — it just narrows which carriers will offer their best rates. This is where independent agencies have a real advantage: we know which of our carriers are forgiving on prior claims and which aren’t, and we place your home accordingly.
Should I insure my home for what I paid for it?
No — you insure it for replacement cost, which is what it would take to rebuild it, not what the market says it’s worth. Land doesn’t burn, and construction costs don’t follow home prices. We calculate replacement cost during the quoting process so your coverage matches reality.
Ready to get started? Gather the details above and let’s shop your home the right way. Call MBG Insurance in Springfield at 417-773-7822 or Oak Grove at 816-690-2640, Bentonville, Ar at 479-350-6862or start a quote Here. We serve homeowners across Missouri, Arkansas, Kansas, and Texas.