Almost every single day there are people visiting insurance sites and paying far too much money for their homeowners’ insurance. You can set your clock by it. Do not expect the insurance companies to protect you on this one, though. This is all down to you — and that’s exactly why you need to read these tips.
You need to understand what your coverage is if you have a roommate. Sometimes the policy may cover all things on the property and sometimes only your things. Make sure you know exactly what is covered to avoid roommate problems later on.
If you want to be sure your home and belongings are covered in the event of a flood, the time to buy flood insurance is not the moment it begins to rain. Most flood insurance plans will not cover flood damage incurred within the first 30 days of purchase, so you need to make that call today, rather than putting it off.
Value Items
You can save lots of money on insurance policies if you have a security system installed. You will receive both a savings on your insurance, as well as peace of mind. Protecting your home makes you a lower risk of filing a claim. Your lower premiums will help you recoup the costs of a security system.
If you have high-value items, they may not be covered completely by typical homeowner’s insurance. For example, expensive jewelry may need to be appraised, and then the insurer will issue a rider to cover the item in case it’s stolen or damaged. Make sure to mention high-value items to your agent, to make the process of filing a claim easier, should you need to do so.
Stay away from pools and trampolines. While your kids may love to jump on the trampoline or swim in the pool, these little extras are insurance nightmares. Insurance companies will up to double the rates of a homeowner who installs either of these items. Stay away from extras with the potential to harm!
Check any policy that you are interested in for a “guaranteed replacement value” and only accept the contract if it is applicable. This guarantee prevents your lost home from being replaced with a mobile home. This insurance choice will cover the replacement of your belongings at today’s prices.
A great way you can save on your homeowners insurance is to avoid expanding on your home too much. Sure, you can fix up those odds and ends, but putting that dream patio in your back yard or that extra bedroom on the second floor is going to cause your insurance payments to spike.
Yearly Premiums
For homeowners who live in earthquake zones, it is worth it to buy earthquake insurance. Most homeowner’s insurance does not cover earthquakes, so you will need to purchase an additional policy.
Increase the deductible on your home insurance to enjoy lower yearly premiums. While this means you are likely responsible for small claims that cover things such as a broken window or a damaged section of flooring from a broken pipe, these repairs are generally only a few hundred dollars. You will save far more than that on your yearly premiums and come out of the deal with more money in your pocket.
When choosing a home owner’s insurance policy, look into the quality of the company. The company that holds your policy should be able to back it up. It is good to know if the company that holds your policy will be around to take care of any claims you may have.
When considering an addition for your house, take into account things that could affect your insurance costs. In some areas of the country, and it is dependent on the insurance company, using more durable construction materials such as concrete may reduce your insurance premiums. Since some materials aren’t as likely to receive damage, the carrier will likely charge less.
Make sure that every exterior door on your home has dead bolt locks. Depending on your insurance provider, this might lower your home owner’s insurance premiums slightly. They also make a great deterrent against would be thieves or other intruders. They are inexpensive to install and a great way to keep your home safe.
By using tips like these focused on homeowners’ insurance, you will begin to understand how this type of insurance works and how you can save a lot of money without having to give up on the coverage features you need. Always make sure that you’ve learned about insurance before you sign on.
Search for insurance companies who will not only sell you homeowner’s insurance, but also auto, life, and health insurance. You will save a lot if you purchase your policies in bundles. This also makes keeping track of your policies much easier.