If you have ever gotten into financial trouble after an accident at home, then you know home insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. That’s why many homeowners are purchasing home insurance to avoid financial challenges in the event of a catastrophic event like fire, burglary, or water damage. According to Value Penguin, about 85% of American homeowners have insured their homes. Home insurance is not cheap, and that’s why you may want to learn a few money-saving tips to help you save on your homeowners’ insurance policy.
Assess Your Needs
Before you buy anything or find ways to save money, you need to know your needs. Assess how big your home is, how old it is, the material used to construct it, its location, and the neighborhood. This will help you save by skipping the coverages you don’t need and getting only what you need. For instance, you could have a water leak issue, which is not typical for all customers. Leaks can easily lead to mold growth, which is another significant issue. According to Comfy Living, mold starts to grow within 24 to 48 hours after water damage has occurred. You want to ensure your homeowners’ insurance company offers coverage to protect your belongings.
Shop Around
The first step that comes to mind when shopping for insurance is checking rates from different companies. This not only helps give you an average cost but also helps you spot the right insurance company. Ideally, you don’t want to go with the cheapest one. It’s prudent to review the coverage offered and determine whether they’re adequate and what you need. Ask if the company offers discounts to know if bundling up can help you save more.
Make Your Home More Secure
You have heard insurance experts tell you to invest in security systems that help keep your car or home safe. Insurance companies recognize these efforts and most often lower your premiums if you have systems that tighten security in your home. Generally, the more secure a home is, the less likely it is for burglars to get in. Investing in simple gadgets like a smoke detector, motion sensors, burglar alarms, security cameras, and deadbolt locks all help lower your premiums, saving you money.
Improve Your Credit Score
It may surprise you to learn that your credit score has a substantial impact on your home insurance premiums. When you apply for your policy, your insurance company will ask you to fill out a form with details about you and your house. The information you provide determines your rates. One of these critical details is your credit score. If your credit score is too low, you will likely pay higher rates. If you think your credit score is too low, consider improving it.
Get Rid of High-Risk Items
Though it may be fun, owning something your insurance company thinks is a problem can quickly raise your premiums. Home insurance companies find swimming pools, trampolines, and other playground equipment high-risk items. They call these items an attractive nuisance, as they contribute to higher premiums. Anything that children may be tempted to play with or on is considered an attractive nuisance. If they get injured while doing so, you can be sued. You may have to cough more in your policy if you own these items.
Renovate Your Home
Your home won’t attract better rates if it appears neglected. While they can sometimes be costly, renovations save you money in the long term. Simple projects like painting, replacing your siding, getting new cabinets, or adding a landscape feature in your outdoor space can go a long way toward getting you a good homeowners’ insurance rate. According to Bob Vila, homeowners recoup more than half the project cost after replacing the siding.
You can save a lot of money when you know how homeowners’ insurance works. Follow these helpful tips if you’re looking to save on your insurance costs.