Consider sticking with the better known insurance companies, especially if this is your first time buying insurance for your home. Once you have had some experience with the standard policies you may want to do some more investigation for other, alternative companies, but you do really have to understand what you need before using these companies.
Most independent insurance agents will represent more than one insurance company. This gives them the option to find a plan that will meet your budgets and needs from a variety of different sources. An independent insurance agent gets paid based on a commission or percentage of the amount of insurance that you buy, and only keeps your business by doing a great job.