Before you discuss your homeowner’s insurance needs with an agent, figure out what you own and what it’s worth. Within this article you will find tips like this one and many more for making the process of finding home owner’s insurance simple and easy.
Lower your homeowner’s insurance annual premiums by as much as five percent by maintaining a security system that is directly tied to your neighborhood police station. All that is required to qualify for this discount is to verify that you have central monitoring, which can be through a bill or insurance company contract.
Save money on your homeowner’s insurance by not purchasing items that are potentially injurious. Building a swimming pool or buying a trampoline can raise your annual premium by as much as ten percent or even more. Instead, visit the neighborhood pool or playground and get the same enjoyment for a lower price.
Homeowners Insurance
If you have expensive landscaping around your home, consider purchasing separate insurance for it. Most basic homeowners insurance policies will not cover damage from wind or other environmental factors to landscaping. This means that if your expensive imported trees come down in the wind, your homeowners insurance policy will generally not cover it.
The best way to document your valuables is with photographs. If you have to make a claim, the photo will prove that you actually had the item in question and are not attempting fraud. Documenting all your possessions takes a lot of time, but it is the only way to make sure you will get what these items are worth if they are damaged or stolen.
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.
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.
When you reach the happy day on which your mortgage is finally paid off, be sure to take advantage of the insurance benefits. The premiums for homeowner’s insurance are significantly lower for a house you own outright than for one you are still paying off. Insurance companies are betting,with good justification, that you will take better care of a home that is all yours.
Even if a person is trespassing, the burden of liability still falls on your shoulders if they hurt themselves while on your property. Even someone who was trespassing can sue you. Never forget the importance of a powerful homeowner’s insurance policy!
Educate yourself regularly on current home owner’s insurance rates. The rates for insurance are often changing. This means your coverage and what you are paying for it, could constantly be changing as well. Make sure you stay abreast of what is going on with your policy, in order to avoid paying too much or not getting enough coverage.
If you happen to live in an area that is prone to flooding or mudslides, it is important to inquire about buying supplemental flood insurance. Standard home owner’s insurance policies do not cover flood damage, so look into the additional coverage through other means.
If you are currently insured under a government plan, purchase home owner’s insurance through a non-governmental company as soon as possible. Often, private insurance carrier rates are less expensive than government rates, depending on the location of the property. If you live in an area prone to natural disasters, it may be difficult to find a private insurer willing to take on the risk, but the financial savings can be substantial.
Home owner’s insurance policies usually include a $100,000 liability coverage. Talk to your insurance representative if you feel that the coverage in your specific neighborhood is not enough. Be familiar with this provision, as the policy may pay for certain injuries suffered as a result of damage to your property.
Another way to get a discount on your home insurance is by having some form of fire safety in place. Smoke alarms are a good choice. While these are generally common in most current buildings, installing them in aging homes can save you about 10% or more in annual premiums. The other plus is that they can possibly save you if there’s a fire.
If you don’t have one already, install a home security system and let your insurer know. Use a reputable company so that your insurer will give you the maximum discount you are entitled to. A safe house will not only give you peace of mind, but will lower your premiums.
Keep documentation of personal items that are valuable. Get your collectibles appraised and make photographs to ensure that you have documentation in the event of a disaster. Your insurance agent and carrier will appreciate your thorough documentation as it will make their jobs easier.
When purchasing home owner’s insurance, verify the type of area you will reside in. If you reside in the country, you will most likely have higher rates than if you resided in town. This is due to the distance being longer to a nearby fire station. If you live further than 5 miles from one, and if you live farther than 1,000 ft. from a fire hydrant, you will probably have a higher premium to pay.
You will be provided with many options for insurance from your agent. Give the agent a list of the items you want covered so that they can create the best plan for you. Having that list at the start can also prove what you have in the home, even if it was destroyed.
