4 Ways To Lower Your Home Insurance Premium
Every year or two, you might want to look over your home insurance policy and check how much you are paying. It is easy for costs to creep up over time without you really noticing. If the cost you find is higher than you like, then here are some ways you can work towards lowering your premium.
1. Get quotes from other companies.
When you shopped around for insurance a few years ago, you may have chosen the most affordable option at the time. But insurance companies change their rates often. The company that was the cheapest a few years ago may no longer be the cheapest. It's worth getting a few quotes again and perhaps switching companies if you find one that offers the same coverage you currently have for less.
2. Update your safety features.
The safer your home, the lower the chances that someone will get hurt on the premises. This means the insurer will be taking less of a risk by insuring you, which means they won't charge you as much for the policy. If you can take the following steps to make your home safer and then let the homeowners insurance company know that you took them, your rates will likely be lowered.
- Add more smoke detectors, or update the ones you have.
- Add a fire extinguisher to the kitchen and to the area where your furnace is located.
- Update your carbon monoxide detector.
- Put railings on all staircases.
- Replace any buckling sidewalks that might be a tripping hazard.
3. Take your dog to obedience training.
Most homeowners insurance companies charge higher rates for homeowners with dogs, since if your dog injures someone, the insurance company will be responsible for paying the medical bills. However, many companies will lower the rate if you enroll your dog in an obedience training program and can produce a certificate of completion. Many pet shops and vet's offices offer basic obedience training programs, and they typically only last a few weeks.
4. Install a security system.
If you do not already have a security system, installing one can help lower your rate. If you have an outdated security system, upgrading to a new one that allows you to monitor videos of your home entrances can similarly result in a rate reduction. A more secure home is less likely to be robbed, which means your homeowners insurance company is less likely to have to deal with a claim.