When choosing an insurance company it's best to be picky. You need to check the entire market out and find out which players are best suited to your needs. More often than not it seems best to go with a larger, well-known company with a wide range of plans rather than a smaller place that wouldn't provide as much protection where it really counts. With a larger company invariably comes variety, and variety is a necessity for homeowners looking to protect their investments. Some of the biggest include AIG, MetLife, Alliance Insurance and Chubb.

AIG homeowners insurance: This company is among the best, and features a range of policies that protect homeowners from a variety of catastrophes. Some of their policies include mortgage, liability, indemnity and flood insurance. AIG is best known for its AIG homeowners insurance, however, which covers the house even if it's completely unfit for human habitation.

MetLife: Another highly rated company, Metlife has no hidden costs and will protect the homeowners house against theft, fire, lightning or smoke. They even have a condominium plan to cover condo owners, not to mention coverage plans for vacation houses or plot houses.

Chubb: Chubb Home Insurance usually covers a variety of average home features. Policy buyers can also go for much more extensive coverage, however, if they so choose, going as far as to protect the interiors of their house. Like AIG Chubb will cover even badly damaged homes.

Regardless of whether you go for AIG homeowners insurance or policies by Chubb or MetLife, it's important to know what you're buying. Check their plans, get quotes, and talk to local representatives in and around your community. Try and get multiple services from one company so you can get a discount on both. Don't forget, too, that any company worth its' salt will have some form of website that you can check for policies, the extent of their coverage, what may be excluded from their plans, and the like. A little research will go a long way in affording you the kind of protection you need for your house.