Sourced data vs. representative estimates
We label every figure as one of two things. A sourced average is drawn from an authoritative dataset (NAIC, the Insurance Information Institute, a state Department of Insurance, the U.S. Census, FEMA, or the Insurance Bureau of Canada) and carries an inline citation and an "as of" year. A representative estimate is an illustrative figure for comparison only, generated from a documented model — useful for relative comparison, never a quote.
Where a true sourced figure isn't yet available for a specific line or place, we say so plainly rather than dress an estimate up as fact.
What's sourced today
These figures are real and cited inline: auto — the NAIC 2023 average expenditure, national plus all 50 states and DC; renters — the NAIC national average; pet — NAPHIA's 2024 average accident-and-illness premium; and state population from the Census 2023 estimates; and renter-occupancy rate for every U.S. state from the Census Housing Vacancies & Homeownership survey (2025). Other lines (homeowners, landlord, condo, flood, life, and the commercial lines) have no clean single national average published by a primary source — NAIC reports homeowners by coverage band, FEMA prices flood per-property, and commercial figures come only from vendor estimates — so those are shown as clearly-labeled representative estimates until a primary source is available. We never dress an estimate up as a verified figure.
How a fact gets published
Every fact-bearing page passes an automated quality gate before a human review: a compliance scan (no guaranteed-rate or unlicensed-advice language), structured-data validation, a required-disclaimer check, a minimum-sources check, and a check that each displayed figure resolves to a real source. Only then does a reviewer approve it.
The Coverage Score
Our carrier score is a 0–100 composite of value, coverage breadth, and claims experience. It is editorial and will always be backed by sourced inputs — financial-strength ratings (AM Best) and the NAIC complaint index — never a fabricated number. When an insurer isn't publicly rated, we say "not publicly rated" rather than guess.
Freshness
Each page carries a "Last verified" date. Rate data is re-checked on a rolling basis and law pages whenever a requirement changes. If a figure is older than its refresh window, it's flagged for re-verification.
Editorial review
Coverage guidance is reviewed by Daniel Osei — 12 years in personal & commercial property and casualty insurance. Reviews check that figures are sourced, requirements cite the regulator, and nothing reads as unlicensed advice.
What we will never do
- Publish a premium as a "quote" or "guarantee".
- Invent carrier ratings or reviews.
- Present unlicensed insurance, legal, or financial advice.
- Take payment for placement or ranking.