Check both. In a tight insurance market, get quotes from at least two independent brokers plus any carriers that sell direct. A broker or independent agent can shop several carriers for you, but that advantage has been shrinking as insurers pull out of higher-risk areas or restrict which agents can write for them. We have seen one broker unable to quote a carrier that a different broker could, purely because of who holds appointments with whom. Even among brokers, the answers can be inconsistent. Going direct can work too, especially with carriers that sell straight to consumers and never appear on a broker's list. We have seen a borrower whose only brokered option was expensive land a comparable policy by going direct to an insurer they were eligible for. Compare on price and coverage together. The cheapest quote is no bargain if the limits or exclusions leave you exposed. And since your homeowners premium is baked into your monthly payment, the extra hour of shopping is well worth it.