Beginning a new year is a great time to look at your homeowner's insurance and make sure you're getting the best for you and your home at the best price.  There are some places you can go for information and some things to ask when shopping for your insurance.

A great place to start your shopping is at the Ohio  State Department of Insurance--www.insurance.ohio.gov/Consumer/OCA/pages/OCSPubindesTab2.aspx.  This website will over some great advice as to what insurance policies cover Ohio's weather conditions, coverage for replacement, coverage of contents and other concerns that the typical homeowner may have.  The site also lists consumer complaints against insurance companies that do business in Ohio.

Once you've gotten a list of companies that you are interested in check out their website and then call them to ask additional questions.  Some things that you want to check are:  company's reputation, what happens to the cost of the premium if you have a claim, how their claim service works, if you can "bundle" services ie car, homeowners, etc, and get a discount and how they determine the value of your home and contents.

Home insurance is VERY important so remember that a little homework can save you a lot of money and big headaches if you ever have to file a claim.