car and homeowners insurance shopping

[sciteachmama]

I've learned so much from this forum (I'm a lurker for about 10 months). My only post has been to use and share the YNAB referral. YNAB has been great! A real eye-opener!
I'd like to start shopping around for insurance rates on cars and home. Do I just call up the big companies or is there an easier way to compare insurance rates (both car and homeowners combined)?
Thanks in advanced

[ShoulderThingThatGoesUp]

I actually just got a much better quote from a broker associated with a local bank. I wasn't expecting that to work. So it's worth trying some independent agents.