Your home will likely be the largest investment you ever make, so it is critical that you keep this investment safe. This is where home owners insurance comes into play. You will be glad you are properly insured especially in the event of some sort of loss such as a fire or home burglary. When compare to auto insurance or health insurance, home owner insurance is relatively cheap but worth every penny. There are some very important aspects of insurance you need to know. There are tips to reduce your insurance costs, where to get home insurance and ways to decrease your insurance rate. You are now ready to buy that new home you have saved for over the past several years. Many people wonder if they can actually own a home without home owners insurance. The answer is yes and no. If you have a mortgage on your home, the lender will likely require you to carry homeowners insurance so that they are protected in the event the home is destroyed. If you own your home outright, no one will insist you have home insurance coverage, we do however recommend that you maintain coverage so that you dont lose everything you have worked so hard for. Why you need home owners insurance: Homeowners insurance is the safety net you require to protect your family against the loss of your home and your belonging. With the proper insurance policy, you will be covered for damage to your property as well as liability in the event you or your family injures or damages someone or their property. When talking to your insurance agent, ensure your home or mobile home insurance policy covers the structure of your home, personal belongings, liability protection and living expenses should your ever have to live away from your home because of fire or other damage. Shopping for home insurance: Home owners insurance is available from local insurance agents in your community as well as insurance companies that sell coverage over the internet. You can often request a free online home insurance quote. Other excellent resources include your friends and family who are happy with their current home insurance provider. You can also find an extensive list of companies in your local yellow pages. Home insurance rates: The rate you will pay for your homeowners insurance will largely depend on the following: Size of your home and additional buildings such as garages or guest houses Nearest fire hydrant and fire station Actual building costs in your community Crime rate in your neighborhood Occurrence of natural disasters including hurricanes, tornados and hail storms Homes construction materials and unique features Age and condition for plumbing, electrical and heating systems An agent will be able to give you an accurate home insurance quote based on the factors above. To help them, have this information readily available. Tips for reducing your home insurance rates from 5% - 25%: 1. Homeowners insurance is a competitive business so be prepared to shop around to save money on your rates. 2. Raising your deductible from $500 to $1,000 can save you as much as 25% on your premium. The higher the deductible, the lower your rate. We recommend a deductible no smaller than $500 to start with. 3. Use the same insurance company for all your insurance requirements including auto insurance, boat insurance, home insurance and travel insurance. This alone can reduce your rates by 5%-15%. 4. Securing your home with smoke detectors, security alarm systems and dead bolts can drastically reduce your home insurance rates. 5. Stay with the same insurance company long term. This will definitely help when you asked for any other discounts they are offering. We hope that this information will help you when shopping to insure your most valuable asset, your home. |
