On this page13 sections
- Ratings and complaints
- The Zebra vs. competitors
- Pricing
- Step by step
- Is The Zebra legit for home insurance?
- The Zebra pricing and how it makes money
- How The Zebra home insurance comparison works
- Complaints and what customers report
- Claims, cancellation and refunds
- The rules that protect you
- What customers say
- Alternatives
- FAQ
The Zebra suits homeowners who want several home insurance quotes side by side and the option to buy online or with a licensed agent. It is a legitimate, free insurance comparison site and licensed agency based in Austin, Texas, founded in 2012; it is BBB accredited with an A- rating and a 4.7 Trustpilot score from 5,144 reviews. It is not an insurer: claims, billing and renewals go through the company you buy from, and the carriers shown depend on your ZIP code. The Zebra is paid by insurers and other service providers, so also get one quote directly from an insurer or an independent local agent.
Your options
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The Zebra This review Homeowners who want to compare several home insurance quotes in one place and have a licensed agent available if they want help.
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Farmers Alternative Households that want a local agent and plan to bundle home and auto coverage with add-ons like new car replacement or rideshare coverage.
- What it is
- Online insurance comparison site and licensed agency; operated by Insurance Zebra, Inc., a Delaware corporation3
- Partners
- 100+ insurance partners, per The Zebra; the carriers you see depend on your location2
- Cost to you
- Free for consumers; insurers and other service providers may pay The Zebra fees3
- Buying options
- Buy online or call one of its licensed insurance agents2
- Founded
- 2012, Austin, Texas2
- Savings claim
- Average of $482 a year for homeowners who shop with The Zebra, per the company1
- BBB
- A-, accredited since September 26, 2025; 13 complaints in the last 3 years4
- Trustpilot
- 4.7 out of 5 from 5,144 reviews5
Pros
- Free to compare home insurance quotes
- Buy online or with an in-house licensed agent
- 100+ insurance partners, per the company
- BBB accredited with only 13 complaints in three years
- 4.7 Trustpilot score from more than 5,000 reviews
Cons
- Not an insurer; claims and billing go through the carrier
- Carrier choices vary by ZIP code
- Paid by insurers and service providers, so it may not show every company
- Some reviewers report redirects and contact from insurers after clicking through
- Savings figure is the company's own claim
Best for: Homeowners who want to compare several home insurance quotes in one place and have a licensed agent available if they want help.
Skip it if: You want a local agent who knows regional insurers, or your home is hard to insure and needs a FAIR plan or specialty carrier.
The Zebra vs. competitors
| Company | What it is | Cost to you | BBB | Next step |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Zebra | Comparison site and licensed agency | Free | A-, accredited, 13 complaints in 3 years | Visit site |
| Policygenius | Online insurance marketplace | Free | A+, not accredited | |
| Insurify | Online insurance comparison site | Free | A+, accredited | |
| Lemonade Home | Direct insurer, sold online | Premium only; from $25 a month | B-, not accredited, 618 complaints in 3 years | Read review |
Home insurance we reviewed
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The Zebra This review BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Homeowners who want to compare several home insurance quotes in one place and have a licensed agent available if they want help. -
Allstate BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Drivers and homeowners who want a local agent, plan to bundle several policies and are willing to pay more for that service. -
GEICO BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Good drivers, drivers with poor credit, and military or federal employees who are comfortable buying and managing a policy online. -
State Farm BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. -
Travelers BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Drivers who want a low price from a financially strong national insurer and like having an independent agent. -
USAA BestGuide rating: 4.6 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Service members, veterans and their families who want insurance and fee-free banking from one company built around military life. -
Branch BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Homeowners who want to bundle home and auto quickly online and are comfortable checking the underwriting carrier for their state. -
Farmers BestGuide rating: 4.5 out of 5. Set by our editorial team from published factors such as cost, credentials, reputation, customer experience, services and guarantees. Verified partners are scored on our partner verification program and can be listed first; they are always labeled BestGuide Partner. Best for: Households that want a local agent and plan to bundle home and auto coverage with add-ons like new car replacement or rideshare coverage.
The Zebra pricing at a glance
What The Zebra costs and how it gets paid3
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Using the site | Free for consumers |
| Talking to an agent | Free; The Zebra employs licensed insurance agents |
| Policy price | Set by the insurer you choose, not by The Zebra |
| How The Zebra earns money | Insurers and other service providers may pay it fees, including to be matched with users |
| Typical home premium | Can top $2,000 a year, per The Zebra; your rate depends on your home, location and coverage |
The $482 average savings figure is The Zebra's own claim. Your savings depend on what you pay now and which carriers quote your ZIP code.
The Zebra, step by step
Enter your ZIP code
The carriers available to quote depend on where your home is.
Describe your home
Answer questions about the property, such as size, age and construction. The Zebra can suggest basic coverage amounts from your address.
Compare quotes
Review premiums, coverage limits and deductibles side by side. Match the dwelling coverage and deductible across quotes before comparing price.
Buy online or with an agent
Purchase online or call a licensed agent at The Zebra. Some quotes send you to the insurer's own site to finish.
Manage the policy with the insurer
After you buy, claims, payments and renewals are handled by the insurance company, not The Zebra.
Is The Zebra legit for home insurance?
Yes. The Zebra is run by Insurance Zebra, Inc., a Delaware corporation based in Austin, Texas, and it operates The Zebra Insurance Agency with licensed agents; its state license numbers are listed in its terms. It started in 2012. The BBB has accredited it since September 26, 2025, with an A- rating and 13 complaints in the last three years. On Trustpilot it scores 4.7 from 5,144 reviews, and it replies to most negative ones.
Keep in mind what it is: a comparison site and agency, not an insurance company. The policy you buy is issued by the insurer, which handles claims, payments and renewals.
The Zebra pricing and how it makes money
It is free for consumers. Its terms say insurance companies, agents and other service providers may pay The Zebra fees, including to be matched with users. The insurer sets your premium. The Zebra says homeowners who shop with it save an average of $482 a year and that premiums can top $2,000 a year; both figures are the company’s own.
Because it is paid by partners, The Zebra may not show every insurer in your area. Use it to get a fast set of quotes, then check one or two insurers or an independent agent outside it.
How The Zebra home insurance comparison works
Enter your ZIP code and details about your home, such as size, age and construction. The Zebra can suggest coverage based on your address, often using your home’s estimated Replacement cost. Payment to repair or replace property with new materials of similar quality, without subtracting depreciation. Compare home insurance. You then see quotes side by side and can buy online or call one of its licensed agents. Some purchases are finished on the insurer’s own site.
To compare fairly, set the same Dwelling coverage. The part of a policy that pays to repair or rebuild the house itself. Compare home insurance, personal property coverage, liability limit and Deductible. The amount you pay toward a covered claim before insurance pays. Compare home insurance on each quote, and check whether the policy pays replacement cost or Actual cash value. Replacement cost minus depreciation, which means older items pay out less. Compare home insurance for your belongings.
What customers say about The Zebra
Recurring themes across the review sites and complaint records listed above, not individual quotes.
Common praise
- Patient, knowledgeable licensed agents
- Agents who compared several quotes and found lower rates
- Fast, responsive communication
- Free to use
Common complaints
- Trouble getting online quotes or being redirected to other sites
- Being asked for the same information more than once
- Contact from insurers after clicking through to them
- Unexpected charges or trouble reaching policy details after purchase
Complaints and what customers report
Most Trustpilot reviews praise agents who were patient, compared several quotes and found lower rates. The recurring complaints are trouble getting online quotes, being redirected to other sites, being asked for the same information more than once, and contact from insurers after clicking through to them. Formal complaints are low: 13 at the BBB in three years.
If you don’t want calls from insurers, only click through to the ones you’re ready to talk to, and read The Zebra’s privacy policy before you enter your phone number.
Claims, cancellation and refunds
Once you buy, your policy is with the insurer. File claims, change coverage and cancel with that company. Cancellation refunds and any fees follow the insurer’s policy and your state’s rules. Line up your new policy before you cancel the old one, and tell your mortgage lender if it pays your premium from escrow.
The rules that protect you
Home insurance agencies and insurers are licensed and regulated by each state’s insurance department. If you have a problem with a quote, a sale or a claim, contact the insurer first, then file a complaint with your state insurance department. You can look up an insurer’s licensing and complaint record through the NAIC’s Consumer Insurance Search.
Alternatives to The Zebra
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An independent local agent
Free to you and can quote regional insurers that may not appear on comparison sites.
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Quote insurers directly
Getting one or two quotes straight from insurers checks whether a comparison site is showing you the best price.
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LemonadeIf you just want to buy a home policy online from an insurer in the states it serves.
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Your state's FAIR plan
If private insurers won't cover your home, most states run a FAIR plan as an insurer of last resort.
Next steps
The Zebra reviews
Written by readers, read by our moderators, never edited by the company.
No reader reviews yet. If you have used The Zebra, yours will be the first.
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- Our moderators read every review before it publishes.
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- Paying BestGuide never changes the reader rating or which reviews publish.
Frequently asked questions
Can you trust The Zebra for home insurance quotes?
Yes. It is a licensed insurance agency and comparison site founded in 2012 in Austin, BBB accredited with an A- rating and rated 4.7 on Trustpilot.
Is The Zebra free?
Yes, for consumers. Insurers and other service providers may pay The Zebra fees, and the insurer sets your premium.
Is The Zebra an insurance company?
No. It compares quotes and sells policies as an agency. Your policy is issued and serviced by the insurer you choose.
How many insurance companies does The Zebra compare?
The Zebra says it works with 100+ insurance partners. How many quote your home depends on your ZIP code and property.
Will I get spam calls from The Zebra?
The Zebra advertises no junk mail or spam calls. Some reviewers say insurers contacted them after they clicked through to those insurers, so share your number only when you're ready to talk.
Does The Zebra sell my information?
The company says it doesn't sell customer data to third parties. Read its privacy policy for how quote details are shared with insurers.
Can I buy home insurance through The Zebra?
Yes. You can buy online or through one of its licensed agents, or finish on the insurer's site for some quotes.
How do I file a home insurance claim if I bought through The Zebra?
Contact the insurance company named on your policy. The Zebra does not handle claims.
Is The Zebra BBB accredited?
Yes, since September 26, 2025, with an A- rating and 13 complaints in the last three years.
Is The Zebra better than Policygenius?
Both are free online marketplaces. Get quotes from both, or from one plus an independent local agent, and compare the same coverage.
Sources (8)
Facts on this page come from company websites, government agencies and regulators, checked on the dates shown. Editorial standards
- The Zebra: Homeowners insurance (archived July 30, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Zebra: About (archived July 27, 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- The Zebra: Terms of use and licenses (archived 2026) (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: The Zebra business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- Trustpilot: The Zebra reviews (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Policygenius Inc. business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- BBB: Insurify business profile (accessed October 13, 2026)
- NAIC: Consumer Insurance Search (accessed October 13, 2026)
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