How much you pay for homeowner’s insurance depends on where you live. For instance, in Florida, the average cost for this type of policy is $2,055 annually while in Oregon is it just $574. The thing to remember about insurance companies is that they want your business because they know, by and large, you might not ever make a claim. That’s a good thing for them. Of course, the peace of mind that you get in return is a nice trade-off. That doesn’t mean you have to be paying high premiums. Here are some ways you can lower your premiums. Remember, the insurance company wants you as a customer. If they don’t offer these discounts, then find a company that will.
Home Security
Just because someone knocks on your door doesn’t mean you have to answer that door. A simple front door camera can put you back in charge of who you want to talk to. That is just one of the many security devices you can add to your home that can help lower your insurance premiums. It will help to talk to a security company and have them conduct a complete security review. This will identify the vulnerabilities in your home’s security and provides solutions to plug up those gaps. You’ll sleep a lot sounder when the alarm is set each night.
Water Shutoff Device
Water damage accounts for up to one-third of all losses. Hopefully, when there is damage to a pipe or some other problem, you will be able to shut of the mainline into your home. But what if you’re not home when a pipe bursts? There are water leak sensors and detectors that can trigger a shut off at the first sign of trouble.
Storm-Safe Windows
As you might imagine, wind is the number one cause of damage to a home and it is not just wind from a hurricane or tornado. There can be disruptive storms in every part of the country. However, if you are in one of those hurricane-prone areas than installing storm-safe windows can be a big boost. These would be windows that have reinforced impact-resistant glass or are equipped with roll-down shutters. Often you might find that there are tax credits and rebates offered by your city or state that can help defer the costs of installation.
Replace the Roof
One small leak in a roof can lead to a large amount of damage. The cost of a new roof can be significant but it is an investment that will need to be made sooner or later. If your roof is pushing past the 25-year old mark, then you should get it inspected to see how it is holding up. Telling your insurance company that you’ve replaced your roof means that they probably won’t have to worry about water damage for some time. They’re going to like that.
