Nowadays, it's easy to get a quick quote on a home insurance policy using the Internet. However, online home insurance quotes aren't always accurate.

Understanding which factors often cause inaccuracies can help you to get the best possible quotes when you're shopping for policies on the web. The following are four of the most common causes of discrepancies between online quotes and quotes that are actually offered by insurance providers later upon further inquiry:

You get the quote months before you're ready to close on the property in question.

The most accurate quote is one you receive just as you're ready to purchase a policy. Things can change quickly when it comes to factors that influence insurance premiums like property values and credit scores.

If you get some quotes on home insurance policies well in advance of closing on the property in question, chances are your quotes will no longer be accurate. 

Your credit history hasn't been considered.

Many websites will provide you with a home insurance quote without taking your social security number. While you might get a ballpark estimate of your insurance costs from such a site, it's important to realize that you're credit history is likely to have a significant impact on your insurance costs.

If you have had some credit problems in your past, you can expect your premiums to be more expensive. Look around online for sites that take into account not only your personal information and information about the property you'll be insuring, but also your credit history. 

The home is found to be more valuable than you thought upon inspection.

Nowadays, many home insurance providers require a home inspection before they'll offer a policy on a property. During this inspection, they'll appraise the home so that they can get an idea of just how much the property will be to replace if it is destroyed.

It's difficult for a home buyer to understand all of the home features that could raise the appraisal value of the home. Therefore, initial quotes given online often assume a lower overall value for the property than the actual value. This results in premium quotes that are too low. 

The policy you're quoted for doesn't offer you much needed coverage.

A homeowner's policy you receive a quote for may leave out some of the most important coverage needs you'll have as owner of the property in question.

For example, an initial quote you receive online might not include flood coverage. Depending on where in the country you live, flood insurance might be a necessity if you're to protect your investment in your home. Other types of coverage that might be necessary include earthquake coverage and coverage for septic tank or mold problems. 

When you're shopping online for quotes, consider all the coverage needs you'll have. Look for options to factor these needs into the quote generator for the most accurate results. 

For a home insurance quote, contact a company such as East Tennessee Mutual Insurance.