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Weigh your options and get the best value from your next insurance policy.
Homeowners insurance is often a “set it and forget it” monthly expense, especially if it’s built into your mortgage payment. It may not be until it’s time for renewal that you realize exactly how much you pay.
Fortunately, all it takes is a minimal time investment to uncover several discounts and creative methods to save. Check out these ten surprising strategies to reduce your premium.
Buying a playground set, swimming pool or trampoline could increase your homeowners rate. Insurers aren’t trying to kill your fun; they just deem these purchases “attractive nuisances.”
Any part of a property that could tempt children to play and hurt themselves is an attractive nuisance. If a child gets hurt, you will likely be held liable, meaning a potentially expensive homeowners claim. If getting the lowest rate is a priority, you’ll think twice before adding high-risk property to your backyard.
Your credit score affects your home insurance, which may surprise some folks. In most states, insurers assess rates using a credit-based insurance score. As a result, you can be charged higher rates if your insurer determines that your credit score is too low. According to Experian, a FICO score of 670 or higher is considered good credit.
If you want to improve your score, carefully review your credit report to locate any mistakes. Also, paying bills on time and lowering your credit card balances can raise your score.
You usually save about 10% on your homeowners premiums when you combine your car and home insurance with the same provider. Even though savings depend on the insurance company, most of them offer discounts if you have more than one policy with them.
It’s easy to miss a discount you’re eligible for. Homeowners often have the stress of the home-buying process in the background when they get coverage, meaning insurance could be one thing hurriedly checked off the list. You can qualify for discounts if you:
Securing your home can lower your premium and give you added peace of mind. In addition, most insurance providers offer discounts for alarms, deadbolts, security systems and smart home devices. All of them help prevent fire, theft and vandalism claims.
Your deductible is the set amount you pay before your insurer picks up the cost of your claim. Typically, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and vice versa. For example, raising your deductible from $1,000 to $2,500 at Allstate saves $272, a 17% difference.
Homeowners with substantial savings can afford a higher deductible. In addition, it may be wise to pick the highest amount you could comfortably pay out of pocket for a claim.
You can decrease your monthly insurance bill by adding features that result in a sturdier home, such as impact-resistant roofing, shatterproof glass and storm shutters. Likewise, you’ll save when you reduce the likelihood of fire and water damage claims by updating old electrical, HVAC or plumbing systems.
Homeowners insurance is designed for catastrophic loss. Relatively minor claims should usually be paid for out of pocket since most insurance companies give you a big discount for not making a claim. For instance, filing a single claim could raise your premium by 20%. Furthermore, your bill may remain high for up to five years following a claim.
So you can call your insurer and ask what a potential claim would cost you in increased premiums. Once you know that number, you can calculate whether raising your rates for the next five years is worth it.
At a minimum, check your homeowners coverage yearly and ensure it matches any upgrades or changes in your property. For example, if you’ve sold a bunch of jewelry, you may no longer need your added endorsements. Just that one minor change could significantly reduce your premium.
What’s the best way to keep an eye on your possessions? Create a home inventory.
A home inventory is a list of your belongings. You can write a list or use your smartphone to make a video of your stuff, and some companies offer an app to facilitate the process. When you know what you own, it's easier to choose the right coverage and lower your final bill.
Prices for the same homeowners insurance coverage can differ significantly between companies. By comparing several companies, you can determine whether switching will save money. You can get personalized homeowners insurance quotes in as little as five minutes at The Zebra.
Check out our comprehensive list of popular home insurance discounts offered by companies accross the country to see what you may qualify for.
