Ways You Can Maximize Your Homeowner’s Insurance Endeavors

It is impossible to predict when a disaster will occur. It could happen when you’re asleep tonight, or it could wait until you’re on vacation. Having a good homeowner’s insurance policy will bring you tremendous peace of mind. Before purchasing an insurance policy, be sure to read through these great tips.

To save money on your homeowners insurance, you should pay off the mortgage as soon as possible. Most companies will consider you a smaller risk when there is no debt against a property and you will take better care of the property. Look into how much faster you can pay the loan off, by refinancing at 15 years instead of 30.

You can save money on your homeowners insurance by providing proof that you have made your home a safer place through the installation of a number of safety-related features. Install smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, deadbolt locks, burglar alarms, and/or fire alarms, and your insurer will likely offer you a preferred rate.

If you want to insure your home against flooding, you’ll need a flood insurance policy. Flooding is not covered by most regular homeowner’s insurance policies. Protection against flooding covers damage from things like too much rain, creeks rising, landslides and more. If you think you need this additional coverage, speak to your agent, who will explain options and costs for your area.

Purchase a burglar alarm with central monitoring to save money on your home owner’s insurance. Most insurance companies will discount your policy price by up to five percent if you can show proof of a centrally monitored alarm system. The price you pay for the insurance may very well be offset by the discount on your insurance premiums.

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.

An annual review of your homeowners insurance policy could lead to a considerable lowering of your premiums. In the event that you have installed any type of security or safety device such alarms or indoor sprinklers, a call to your insurance company and provisions of proof of these changes will result in substantial savings for you.

If you reside in an area that is at risk for flooding or mudslides, consider looking into supplemental flood insurance. Most normal policies don’t cover floods, but you may buy additional coverage via the federal government that will protect you from this damage.

If you have children away at college, research your home owner’s insurance coverage policy to see if their possessions in the dormitory are covered. Most policies provide some coverage in case of theft or damage as long as the child is part of your household, but it also depends on the value of their possessions. If your child is living off-campus in an apartment, they may not be covered at all.

You need to shop around for insurance companies that provide all types of insurance. Obtaining many different policies from the same insurance company can yield yearly premium savings in the hundreds of dollars. Combining all of your insurance policies will lower your payments, and keep things much easier for you.

The tips are important because you never want to just take the insurance company’s words for it. If it was up to them, insurance companies would provide you with the most coverage for the highest price. Apply this guidance to create a policy of your choosing.

 

Houses older than 30 years typically require a four point inspection, and a wind mitigation inspection will almost always save you money, usually ~ 20%.