When it comes to owning a home, it’s always better to be safe, rather than sorry. This is why it’s so important that you have a solid insurance policy on your house. In this article, you will find out some great tips that will allow you to save money, without sacrificing on the quality of your coverage.
Most renters forgo renter’s insurance because they believe they are not at risk. If your rental home is damaged in a fire or flood, the structure itself will be covered by your landlord’s policy. Your clothes, electronics and other possessions, on the other hand, will not. Without renters insurance, you would have to pay the full price of replacing any items destroyed by natural disaster, fire, or theft.
Lower Deductible
When considering home insurance, consider how important it is to have a higher or lower deductible. With a lower deductible, your rates will be higher throughout the year, but you’ll have to pay less for damages to your house. With a higher deductible, you keep more money in your pocket in terms of paying your premium, however most smaller claims will cost less than your deductible amount.
Buying homeowner’s insurance is not optional – it’s a necessity. Without proper insurance on your home, you could be left homeless and without recourse in case of disaster, such as fire, robbery, or natural disaster. If you still have mortgage to pay, homeowner’s insurance is probably not an option, but actually required by the loan.
Having a home security system installed, especially one that has a monthly monitoring system against burglary, can seriously reduce a homeowners insurance premiums. The cost of your system can be partially recouped in the monthly or yearly savings you will make, and of course, you will have peace of mind. It can also mean that you will feel safer when you are at home.
Before installing a pool or buying a trampoline, be sure to check with your insurance company to see what effect this will have on your premiums. Some companies will charge as much as 10% more to insure a house with a pool, trampoline or other potentially hazardous equipment on the property.
Some features of your dwelling will cause your insurance to increase. For example, owning a pool will increase your insurance costs, due to the increase in liability. Circumstances beyond your control, such as how far your home is from a firehouse or fire hydrant can also raise your homeowner’s insurance costs. This does not mean that should be your only reason for choosing a home, but you should keep that in mind.
Security System
Installing a security system can save you money on homeowner’s insurance. That will deter break-ins. Your home owners insurance may think you are not an at-risk home and decrease your insurance. You will have to provide proof of a security system to get a lower rate.
Start negotiations with the insurance agencies by referencing pricing quotes that professionals have provided for your specific property. Keep all the documentation and paperwork should you need it. If you are unable to live in your home as a result of damages sustained, you may have to pay to stay in a hotel or motel. If so, save your receipts and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
To avoid an increase in your homeowner’s insurance rate, you should avoid submitting small claims. Some insurers take even small claims into account when figuring if they want to keep you as a policyholder, and you might find yourself uninsured for the big things because you wanted to be be reimbursed for a relatively small amount.
Deduct the value of the land that your home is built on. It is quite expensive and needless to cover the land that it is built on. You will save a good bit of money just by finding out the land’s worth and deducting it from the amount that you are covering on your home insurance policy.
It is always a good idea to have a security system installed when trying to have your home covered by insurance. This can help you save up to 5 percent on your annual premiums. Your system should have a central station with video cameras to guarantee that any burglaries are documented so the insurance company will be able to review the media.
Document all of your valuables and keep the pictures or videos of the things that you want covered under your home insurance, in a fireproof lockbox. This will protect your files and make filing a claim for the missing or destroyed items with your home insurance company, easier and quicker.
Be sure that your insurance policy features value for guaranteed replacement, so that you can still have a home that is comparable in value to your loss. This way, if your home is destroyed, the insurance will build it back the way it was rather than just give you the depreciated value of the house and its contents.
Your neighborhood might have gone through changes that can cut your insurance premiums. A newly installed fire hydrant within 100 feet of your home, or a station nearby can lower your rates. As soon as you discover one of these changes, notify your insurance company so they can reduce your premium costs.
Fire Alarms
Install smoke detectors in your home. If you do not already have fire alarms, get one or several. Check to see how many fire alarms are recommended for a home of your size. It will lower your home owner’s insurance premium and help to keep you safe in the event of a fire.
Your premiums will be lower if you have multiple policies with one company. Sometimes carriers will provide customers with discounts if they have multiple insurance lines with them. If you use the same company for your car and your home, you may have substantial discounts on both prices.
Finding the best insurance, without having to give up on quality features, is a win-win for every homeowner out there. Make sure you pay attention to these tips and use them if you hope to find the best possible coverage for your home. Remember that you should never be without insurance.