How to Lower Your Homeowners Insurance Premium
If you’re looking for the lowest home insurance quotes, you’re not alone. Homeowners insurance is a necessity, as it protects your most valuable investment – but nobody wants to overpay for it.
Want to lower your homeowners insurance premiums? Consider taking these steps.
Increase your deductible
When you make an insurance claim, the deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying before the insurance kicks in. If you have a low deductible, your monthly payments (premiums) will be higher. And in most cases, if you have a higher deductible, your premiums will be lower. As long as you have enough money set aside to cover the deductible in case you have to make a claim, you can save money on payments by increasing your deductible.
Double up
Most insurance companies offer discounts if you have more than one policy with them. So consider getting your car insurance with the same carrier that insures your home, or switching your homeowners insurance to the same carrier that covers your car. By bundling two or more policies, you’re likely to get a lower rate on both. Pro tip: at Gabi, our technology can shop for the lowest rate on your auto + home insurance as a bundle, so if you want to find the best deal quickly, you can easily let Gabi do the legwork for you!
Decrease your risk level
Insurers determine the rate you pay based on the amount of risk you present to them. If your home has higher risks of accidents, for instance, you’ll pay more for insurance. Look around or talk to your insurance agent about the risks you could rectify. For instance, if your home’s wiring is outdated, that could be a fire risk. By replacing outdated wiring, you may save money on homeowners insurance. If you have a swimming pool or trampoline in the backyard, you may pay more for the added risk of accidents.
Look for discounts
If you handle regular home maintenance such as cleaning out gutters, which helps avoid roof leaks, some insurance companies may offer a discount. Many also offer discounts for homes that have installed security systems and monitored fire and smoke detectors, as these can help prevent burglaries and fires.
Shop around
As with anything you buy, shopping around is often the best way to find a lower price. Just because you have used your insurance carrier ever since you purchased your home doesn’t mean that carrier offers the best rate. If you really want to save money on homeowners insurance, don’t be loyal to a specific insurance carrier; instead, switch to the one that provides you with the best rate right now. It pays to shop around every six months or so to see if there are better rates available.
Editorial content on Gabi.com is not written by a licensed insurance agent. It is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal or financial advice.