Most of us grew up hearing the same thing from every insurance commercial on TV.“Bundle home and auto and save big!”And honestly, that used to be true almost all the time. Ten years ago, bundling was the easiest decision you could make. One company, two policies, a big discount, done!

But in 2025, it is not that simple anymore. The market is different, the companies are different, and the way carriers evaluate risk has changed a lot. Bundling is still a great fit for many families, but it is not an automatic yes like it used to be. Here’s what has shifted.

1. Companies Are Pricing Home and Auto Very Differently Today

Ten years ago, most carriers wanted both pieces of your business. They priced aggressively, offered large discounts, and were happy to grow fast.

Today it feels like the opposite.

Home insurance is more expensive to insure than ever, especially in states like Arizona where we are dealing with storms, water, heat, roof claims, and higher rebuilding costs. Many carriers simply do not want more home policies unless they meet very specific criteria. Auto has its own challenges with higher repair costs, more severe claims, and expensive medical payouts.

Put those together and you get a strange situation where:

• A company is strong on home but expensive on auto
• Another company is great on auto but barely touching home
• And a third company wants both, but only in certain neighborhoods with certain roof ages and certain credit tiers

So the one size fits all approach to bundling has faded.

2. Discounts Are Not What They Used To Be

Ten years ago, a bundle discount actually felt like a discount. It was noticeable. It made sense.

Today, many companies still use the word bundle, but the savings are smaller because the underlying cost of claims has gone up. Repair shops are more expensive. Cars have more technology. Homes cost more to rebuild. Insurance companies adjust discounts based on real risk, not marketing slogans.

Bundling can still save you money, and sometimes it saves a lot, but it is more common now to only see modest savings or none at all depending on the carrier.

3. Customers Are Shopping Smarter

This is one of the biggest changes I have seen as an agent.

In the past, people rarely shopped around aggressively. They bundled because that is what their parents did or what they saw in commercials. Today’s customers are sharper. They look up reviews. They compare coverage. They ask questions about roofs, endorsements, deductibles, and liability limits.

People want value, not just a slogan. They are also more open to splitting home and auto if that gives them the best coverage at the best overall premium.

4. Independent Agencies Can Build Custom Bundles

This is where things have shifted in a good way.

When you work with an independent agent, bundling does not have to mean both policies with one company. We can create the same kind of synergy by pairing the strongest home carrier with the strongest auto carrier even if they are not the same brand.

Some companies even allow account credits or multi-policy perks without forcing everything under one umbrella. And when you separate policies, you avoid the problem where one company raises rates across the board and suddenly your bundle is not a deal anymore.

The idea now is not bundle everything. It’s to combine the best options to create the smartest overall package.

5. Bundling Today Is About Strategy, Not Habit

If there is one takeaway, it is this.

Bundling used to be automatic. Today, it is intentional.

Sometimes bundling is still the best move, especially if the discounts are strong and the company really wants the business. Other times, splitting policies saves more money, gives better coverage, or gives you access to a carrier that is a better fit for your home.

Every household is different. There is no universal answer. And honestly, that is a good thing, because it means we can build a plan around your family instead of forcing everything into one company’s box.

If you ever want us to look over your home and auto setup and see whether bundling makes sense or if splitting could actually be a better deal, we are happy to walk you through it. No pressure. Just honest, straightforward advice.

Stoller Insurance is here to help you navigate a market that keeps changing, even if the old commercials still pretend it hasn’t.