home insurance, companies, selfvs brokers

Hi all I live in the sugar Land area and my home insurance premium just went up 200 dollars. I believe most homeowners experience this year to year.
Does anyone have insight on the best companies in terms of value and reputation for the best rates. Also, I see a lot of folks use brokers to search, I would suspect their rates are higher than if I just call and get the quotes myself as we are paying them for their time and effort. What are your thoughts and experience?