There are so many varying types of homeowners insurance and coverage options that one might just get dizzy while attempting to make sense of everything they see. When you need help narrowing down your many options, use these helpful tips to assist you in finding a high-quality, low-priced insurance policy.
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.
A current copy of your personal inventory must be obtained to be sure that any claims are processed properly. This will make it much easier to collect on your homeowner’s insurance in the event that catastrophe strikes. One handy hint is to record everything on camera, either through still pictures or video recording each room.
Paying off your mortgage may not be easy, but doing so can make your homeowner’s insurance premiums drop significantly. Insurance companies assume that people who own their houses outright are more likely to take good care of them, and so they will file fewer claims that the insurance company will have to pay.
Keep your homeowners insurance policy up to date. If it’s been a few years since you purchased your policy, you might be under insured. If you’ve made improvements to your home, your policy might not reflect the increased value. Building costs have gone up too, so review your policy yearly, and if needed, make changes to be adequately covered.
Fire Alarms
You can reduce the amount you pay for homeowner’s insurance each year by as much as 10% if you have fire alarms installed. Smoke detectors and alarms make your home seem less risky to insure. Some will even give you a bigger discount with installing several fire alarms.
If you want to save money, understand how remodeling your house can affect your insurance costs. Your premiums will go up if you want to add a room to your home, but you can keep the cost down by choosing safe materials. Insuring wood structures is more costly than steel or cement, since it is susceptible to weather damage and fire.
Review your discounts on your policy and make sure you are receiving all that you are eligible to receive. Many companies offer a variety of discounts for home features such as alarm or fire systems or even age-based discounts for older insureds. Take the time to go over your policy and discounts regularly to keep your premium as low as possible.
Consider buying car insurance through the same company your homeowner’s insurance is through. Most of the time insurance companies, will give you a discount for having more than one policy through them. This can save you 20% or more on both insurance policies and make it easier to make one payment instead of two.
When purchasing home owner’s insurance, it is a good idea to buy insurance that guarantees replacement of your dwelling. If your home is destroyed or damaged beyond repair, this insurance will provide the money to rebuild a similar structure no matter how much it costs. Even if construction prices rise, this type of policy will absorb the extra cost.
Before seeking out homeowner’s insurance, create a list of criteria you are interested in. Do you live in a high-crime area? Then, your theft coverage needs to be comprehensive. If your area is prone to tornadoes or floods, that is something you need coverage for as well.
Another thing in terms of construction that a home owner should be aware of in terms of their policy is the insurance costs connected with the building of a pool. Things like trampolines and pools can raise annual costs around 10% or more because they can be considered injurious. Though it may appear a small price, it is still something that you should consider prior to buying or constructing.
When creating an inventory of your home to be prepared for a home insurance claim, don’t forget your closets! Also include any storage you might have, especially if you store winter items in summer or vice versa. Your air conditioner may be hidden away in the closet, but it should be included!
Make your annual homeowners insurance payments in one payment rather than on a monthly installment plan. Many insurance companies charge an administrative fee for monthly billing and payment. By paying the entire year’s premium at once, you save yourself this additional expense. Some companies even offer additional discounts if you pay all premium at once.
When taking photos of items that have fine detail or are reflective for your home owner’s insurance inventory, use a dark background like black fabric. This will bring the focus to the item itself and give you a better photo. Your insurance company will only accept photos that are fully in focus.
When considering valuable contents, remember to include unusual or valuable items that may not normally be considered. Jewelry, art, furs and electronics are common categories of contents your agent likely verifies to make sure you have adequate coverage. However, if you collect stamps, antique books or other unusual items, valuable possessions may not be fully covered in case of loss.
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.
Yes, it might be hard to believe, but you can use these tips to get the best of both worlds. You can find an insurance package out there that’s both affordable and that provides quality coverage for your home. As long as you’re using the tips provided here, you can find a great deal.
