Is your homeowners insurance on the high side? Have you ever wondered how you could lower your homeowners insurance?
Home insurance rates are on the rise nationwide. But a good way to lower homeowners insurance costs is to take steps to make your home safer and limit the frequency of claims.
Insurers will typically reward you with discounts/credits towards your insurance rates if you make improvements like replacing your roof or installing wind-resistant windows, etc
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Here's a few ways to help lower home insurance rates by making a few improvements to your home.
Replacing your roof-
Your roof is the part of your house with perhaps the biggest impact on your homeowners insurance rates. Replacing an older roof with a newly constructed one could lower your homeowners insurance rates drastically. A new roof can lower your home insurance premium anywhere between 5% to 35% depending on building materials, location, and carrier.
2. Adding a security system-
If you install protective features like deadbolts, fire alarms, or a fully monitored security system, you can save a good amount on homeowners insurance premiums.
The size of your discount is based on the quality and effectiveness of the protective device. For example, a local burglar or fire alarm won’t net you as large of a discount as a central station device that alerts your police or fire departments directly.
3. Upgrading your home systems-
Home systems are a prominent cause of accidental fires and water damage, which are two of the most frequently filed claims. If you live in an older home in need of serious upgrades, you’ll likely see a substantial rate reduction once you repair or replace your home’s internal systems.
Here are a few other ways to upgrade your household systems
Replace any aging pipes
Upgrade your electrical from aluminum or knob and tube wiring to copper
Install a new heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) system or water heater
These could all lead to lower rates — especially if you opt for eco-friendly options like solar panels, heat pump water heaters, or Energy Star appliances.
4. Investing in smart home technology-
Many insurance companies also offer policy credits and discounts if you install smart home devices in your home that help minimize risk. Smart locks, water leak detection systems, and gas leak or freezing pipe sensors are all a great investment if your goal is making your home safer and saving on homeowners insurance.
Here are a few home insurance companies that offer discounts for investing in smart home technology to better protect your home and belongings:
5. Consider wind or hail-resistant upgrades-
If you live in an area at risk of severe wind or hail storms, consider investing in impact-resistant windows, storm shutters, or reinforced garage doors that can withstand hurricane-force wind speed. Protecting the exterior of your home against inclement weather and fire damage can earn you some pretty massive discounts if you live in a high-risk area.
If you recently made improvements to your house or made it safer in any way, be sure to contact your home insurance company to see if you’re eligible for any rate reductions. It’s important to note that you don’t have to wait until policy renewal to do this.
Your insurer is able to adjust your rates in the middle of your policy term. If you’ve taken steps to improve your home, make sure you’re getting credit for it with lower home insurance premiums.
Do you need to upgrade your home or don't know? Give Mills Roofing, LLC a call and we can come out and do a free inspection. We also work with you and your insurance company for anything that would be eligible for an insurance claim.