Home insurance for a duplex for first time homebuyers

[Aswin Singh]

We are buying a duplex that will also be our primary resident. We plan on renting the other unit out. We are doing this for the first time. What type of home insurance do we need? What are the key things we need to be aware of as far as choosing the deductable? Is it much more difficult to deal with smaller local incurance providers compared to the bigger insurance companies like State Farm, Progressive during a claim? Advice is greatly appreiciated.