Insurance Shopping Normalizes as Switching Rises
JD Power's Q3 2026 data shows shopping volumes leveling off while carrier switching grows quarter over quarter.
Updated on Nov. 9, 2026 in Insurance
Live Poll
Have you shopped around for a new auto or home insurance provider recently?
JD Power reported that personal lines insurance shopping volumes are normalizing in Q3 2026, with the overall shopping rate up 13.2% from Q2. Consumer switching of insurance carriers increased 5.1% over the same period.
Why it matters
Stabilizing premiums have left consumers fewer chances for large savings through switching, even as shopping activity remains elevated relative to earlier years. Comparison-shopping habits formed during the recent market cycle are likely to persist across the U.S. insurance market.
The JD Power Signals Intelligence for Personal Lines Insurance report shows overall shopping rose 13.2% and switching rose 5.1% from Q2 2026. Whether these gains persist into Q4 2026 has not been established.
The players
JD Power
JD Power is a global data and analytics company known for its consumer satisfaction and market research studies across automotive, financial services, and insurance sectors.
The details
Home insurance shopping rose 7.7% and switching rose 3.0% in Q3 2026, while renters insurance shopping rose 6.5% and switching rose 3.9%. Property shopping has cooled more sharply, with some periods showing negative year-over-year growth.
Timeline
Since 2020: Signals launched as pandemic-driven cost pressures raised premiums and shopping.
2024 and 2025: Auto shopping reached elevated levels.
Q3 2026: JD Power reported the latest shopping and switching figures.
Market Dynamics
The JD Power Signals series, tracked since 2020, shows auto shopping peaking in 2024 and 2025 before flattening in 2026. The Q3 2026 readings suggest comparison shopping is becoming a lasting feature of the U.S. insurance market.
Consumers comparing home, renters, or auto policies may find fewer large savings from switching as premiums stabilize. Shopping now is more common than switching, so reviewing current rates is still worthwhile.
The takeaway
Shopping for insurance has become a routine habit for many households, and staying informed about rate trends can help policyholders decide when a switch is worth the effort. Reviewing coverage annually is a practical step in a market where comparison shopping is likely here to stay.
Further reading
Explore more on insurance trends and how shoppers are comparing rates across the country.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Insurance Journal.
Live Poll
Have you shopped around for a new auto or home insurance provider recently?
