Smart Ways to Save Money on Home Insurance
Jun 1st, 2011 | By Hot News Reporter | Category: Insurance TodayHome insurance is something that no homeowner can afford to escape. For the most part, it ought to be considered as an investment. Besides, there are several ways to save money on home insurance. One mistake that people make is to lower the amount of insurance just because the market value of their home has declined over a few years. Cutting on insurance can only lead to further complications and insufficient coverage in the event of a disaster.
One way to save on home insurance is to increase your deductible. This could lower your premium significantly. For example, an increase from $500 to $1000 could save you as much as 25% on your premium. Moreover, you won’t end up filing for small claims that can hurt your chances of a claims-free bonus.
Most of us tend to clutter our garage without unnecessary items including those that are potential fire hazards like unused logs of wood, fuel, and more. It is important to ensure that your garage is clear of anything that can cause a disaster so that the insurance inspector is convinced that your home is safe and not a potential risk to the insurance company. Insurance is a business like any other, therefore, insurance providers look for ways and means to maintain their profits and prefer low risk customers. Installing a fire and burglar alarm and a sprinkler system will also help reduce your home insurance bill. Although this may cost you a bit in the beginning, it will add up to a significant amount of savings in the long run.
It would be wise to insure you home with the same provider you deal with for other matters such as auto and health insurance. Many carriers offer discounts of as much as 15% on multiple policies. In addition, it is possible that the company may offer a further discount for being a loyal customer. Competition is tough in the insurance industry and providers always look for ways to retain their customers and carve a niche for themselves in the industry.
One of the best ways to ensure savings on your home insurance policy is to review your policy limits regularly. Some values depreciate, so you no longer need to pay a higher premium on items that depreciate. Check the value of your possessions and see if any reductions are possible on their premium. This could include high-tech equipment and jewelry as well.
It is also prudent to ascertain the insurability of your home regularly. Factors that affect insurability are the age, condition of wiring and plumbing, the type of construction material used, proximity to a fire station, and more. This is what the home insurance provider will look at before determining your premium. In addition, always evaluate the worth of your home so that you do not over-insure or even under-insure and then lose out on insurance either way.
Another way to save money is to choose the appropriate policy options. Shopping online for home insurance quotes will also help you compare and find the best possible price from the top insurance providers without compromising on coverage.