Lowering Your Homeowners Insurance Costs
When buying a new home, one often needs to save as much as possible for extra costs. To help, finding ways to lower your homeowners insurance can help. There are many suggestions out there on how one can analyze whether they are getting the lowest premium and the most value for their money. Here is a handful for you to check your policy against.
1. Maintain Good Credit – Believe it or not, if you want to cut insurance costs, you need to have good credit. Insurers are using credit information to price homeowners insurance policies these days – so protect your credit when possible and check it on a regular basis for accuracy.
2. Check Your Deductible – Do you have the deductible necessary for your needs? A deductible is the amount of money you will have to pay before an insurance company will start paying for repairs or claims on your policy. This is money that has to come out of your pocket right up front before your insurance kicks in. Of course the higher the amount or the higher the deductible, the lower the cost of your insurance. The question is, how much of a deductible can you afford if necessary? Most people aim for $500 to $1,000 deductibles. Going with the higher will save you the most over the long run, for instance, when you go from a $500 deductible to $1,000, you also save yourself almost 25 percent. Some companies have separate deductibles for separate portions of your policy, depending on where you live. If you are in a disaster prone area, one susceptible to hail, wind or earthquakes, you may have a separate policy for each of these, so check this as well.
3. Analyze The Amount of Insurance You Need – Remember when coming up with a number on how big of policy you need, consider just the cost of rebuilding your home and replacing its contents – not replacing the land under it. Many people come up with a number based on the price they paid for their home or what its appraisal value is. If you don’t know what it would cost to replace your home, talk to your agent or local homebuilders.
4. Combine Home and Auto Insurance – Many insurance companies give group discounts, so when possible, combine your home and auto policies under the same insurer. The savings could be anywhere from 5 to 15 percent off your premium.
5. Help Protect Your House – One can protect their home in many ways. They can help make it a little more disaster resistant by adding storm shutters or reinforcing their roof. If you are in an earthquake area you can have your home retrofitted. Or you can simply modernize your home by improving its heating, cooling and electrical systems. You can also protect your home against fire with the addition of smoke detectors or sprinkler systems. Premiums can drop as much as 15 to 20 percent with certain installation systems. Burglar alarms and dead bolt locks can also help reduce your insurance premiums.
6. Stay With The Same Insurer – Many insurance companies will reward those who are long-term policyholders. Ask your insurance company about this. Premiums can be reduced by 5 percent for three to five years and 10 percent for six or more years of continuous coverage.
7. Review Your Policy Annually – Check your policy, its premiums and its cost. Call around to make sure you are paying the lowest premium for the same value. Check also the limits in your policy and the value of your possessions. Have you made any major purchases or made additions to your home that are covered? Or have you sold something of value that was covered and no longer needs coverage?
8. Avoid Risks – This one is tricky and can involve being aware of how insurance costs can go up with certain conditions. For instance, owning certain breeds of dogs can push your premium up or even keep you from getting insurance. These dogs include Rottweilers, Doberman Pinschers and Pit Bulls. Other insurance companies want to know if you own a swimming pool or trampoline. Many policies will exclude coverage if you do have these, so read the fine print.
By just checking over these steps, you can help save yourself money that need not unnecessarily be paid into homeowners insurance.
About the Author
Ron Scott is owner of MyExpressHomeLoans.com, a provider of your <a href=”http://www.myexpresshomeloans.com>Austin Home Loan </a>as well as high quality financial services. Our mortgage professionals will work to ensure that you get an Austin mortgage that is tailored specifically to meet your needs. For more information please visit http://www.MyExpressHomeLoans.com.
|
|
MICHEL KECK Doberman Pinscher Pop Dog Art Collage Print $149.00 |
|
|
Gladys Emerson Cook, Doberman Pinscher Dog, Vintage Art Print $75.00 |
|
|
CONSTANCE COLEMAN (STOCK #6300) ART/PRINT-DOBERMAN PINSCHER-BERKSHIRE,ENGLAND $59.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART LITHOGRAPH #74 Kline Print Your dogs name added free $59.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART PRINT #242 Kline adds your dogs name free. DOBIE gift $59.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART PRINT #93 Stephen Kline will add dogs name free. GIFT $59.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART PRINT #84 Kline adds your dogs name free. DOBIE gift $59.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART PRINT #88 Stephen Kline will add dogs name free DOBIE $59.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher with lady art print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher (black and tan) with lady art print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher at beach limited edition print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher child with pups limited edition print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher family limited edition print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher group limited edition print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher heads limited edition print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher pups art print $59.90 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher red with lady art print $59.90 |
|
|
DOBERMANN PINSCHER DOBERMAN DOBE DOG ART LIMITED EDITION PRINT – by Mick Cawston $39.44 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher painting LSHEP dog CANVAS PRINT $39.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher painting LSHEP dog CANVAS PRINT $39.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG PRINT #292 Stephen Kline ART DRAWN FROM WORDS Great Gift $39.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG ART PRINT #91 Stephen Kline DRAWING FROM WORDS dobie gift $39.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG PRINT #141 Stephen Kline art drawn from words DOBIE gift $39.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher pups print dog art $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher at beach print dog art $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher bl & tan with lady print $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher black & tan with lady print $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher child with pups print dog art $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher family print dog art $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher group limited edition print $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher heads print dog art $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher red with lady limited edition print $34.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher with lady(black and tan) print $34.99 |
|
|
Dobie Doberman Pinscher Limited Edition Print Head Study by Sue Driver $32.95 |
|
|
Enid Groves Doberman Pinscher Print $30.00 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog art print from Painting pop art bright 13×19 $29.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dobie Print: Off To The Dog Show $29.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher – 1944 Dog Print – Diana Thorne $29.95 |
|
|
Dog Print by ” Gladys Emerson Cook” Doberman Pinscher $29.00 |
|
|
Gladys Cook DOBERMAN PINSCHER 1940 Dog Print Matted $28.00 |
|
|
Diana Thorne DOBERMAN PINSCHER 1944 Dog Print Matted $28.00 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Fine Art Print (11×14)LT Offer $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN pinscher at tea time animal DOG art print signed 13×19 gift $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN pinscher watching television picture art print poster $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN pinscher at the coffee animal art print giclee picture 13×19 gift $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER chef cook out animal DOG art print signed 13×19 picture $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER at the pool picture DOG art print 13×19 giclee gift $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER GOING TO THE BATHROOM picture 13×19 art print giclee gift $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER in a HOT AIR BALLOON 13 x 19 ART PRINT picture gift $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER WINE dog art print picture 13×19 $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER guitar in the recording studio dog art 13×19 print picture $24.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER playing PIANO dog art print picture 13×19 giclee gift $24.99 |
|
|
BLUE DOBERMAN PINSCHER Dog Watercolor ART Print DJR $24.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER Dog Watercolor 11 x 14 ART Print Signed DJR $24.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Limited edition Giclee print M.Lang $24.95 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER Painting 11 X 14 ART Print DJR $24.50 |
|
|
RED DOBERMAN PINSCHER Watercolor LARGE ART Print DJR $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher 11×14 signed art PRINT painting RJK $24.50 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER Painting ART 11 X 14 Print Signed DJR $24.50 |
|
|
PRINT Doberman Pinscher Dog Poster Folk Art Painting $24.00 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog Watercolor Art Print Signed Stein $22.50 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Head Study Print by Robert J. May $19.76 |
|
|
artav Doberman Pinscher Art Print of Watercolor Paint $20.00 |
|
|
Gladys E. Cook DOBERMAN PINSCHER 1962 Dog Print Matted $20.00 |
|
|
Megargee DOBERMAN PINSCHER 1953 DOG Art Print Matted $20.00 |
|
|
artav Doberman Pinscher 02 Art Print of Watercolor $20.00 |
|
|
artav Doberman Pinscher 03 Art Print Watercolor Paper $20.00 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog Original Art Print Matted 11×14 $19.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher CANVAS PRINT painting dog LSHEP art $19.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN pinscher brushing teeth DOG art print signed 13×19 picture gift $19.99 |
|
|
Artist Print Pendant or Keyring NIB Doberman Pinscher $19.99 |
|
|
red Doberman Pinscher CANVAS PRINT painting dog LSHEP $19.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Vintage Dog Print 1934 Head Study $18.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog art print from Painting pop art bright 8.5×11 $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Charming Dog And Girl Print Dobe $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dobe War Dog Print Ready Matted $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog Food Advert Print Dobe $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog OWNED Printed White T-Shirt Men Ladies S M L XL 2X 3X $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER AND LADY DOG PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG FOOD ADVERT PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER LOVELY DOG PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER LOVELY DOG SKETCH PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER TWO DOG SEPIA DOG PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
DOBERMAN PINSCHER TWO DOGS PLAY WITH BROOM DOG PRINT READY MOUNTED/MATTED $17.99 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher – Vintage Dog Print – 1953 Megargee $17.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Vintage Dog Print – 1940 Diana Thorne $17.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher – Vintage Dog Print – 1942 Megargee $17.95 |
|
|
Doberman Pinscher Dog Print / Edwin Megargee LG 11.14″ Matted $16.96 |
|
|
DOBERMANN DOBERMAN PINSCHER DOG FINE ART PRINT $15.73 |