Some people consider homeowner’s insurance as an additional expense that is often not required by law — and so, they may choose not to insure their homes for a variety of reasons. You may think that home insurance is not necessary, or that the process for insuring a home is too complicated.
But the truth is that like auto insurance, homeowner’s insurance is very important to have in the event of an emergency or disaster. If something were to happen to your home, having a good home insurance policy will help you avoid having to pay exorbitant costs to restore your house and possessions — and help you regain peace of mind far faster.
What’s more, getting homeowner’s insurance doesn’t have to be difficult or complicated. Here are five tips to help you easily insure your home and save money on your homeowner’s insurance policy.
- Bundle Your Insurance Policies
If you own a vehicle, you already have auto insurance. Many auto insurance companies offer easy insurance bundling, allowing you to have multiple policies such as auto, home, and life insurance through their companies for a discounted price. This also simplifies your insurance-related paperwork, as it reduces the number of policies you’ll need to keep track of.
- Change Your Billing Method and Frequency
With most insurance companies, you can save money on your homeowner’s policy by switching to paperless billing. Many companies offer a discount to receive your documents and statements electronically rather than in the mail, as it saves them postage and printing costs — while providing you with more convenience.
You can also pay less for home insurance by choosing an annual billing cycle rather than monthly. Most insurance companies offer deep discounts when you choose annual payments, because they know you’ll keep your policy active for at least a full year.
- Use an Advanced Alarm System
Simply increasing the number of smoke detectors in your home can decrease your home insurance policy premiums, but installing an alarm system that’s connected to a central station can save you even more on insurance. Advanced alarm systems can save you up to 10 percent on your homeowner’s insurance annually.
- Update Older Homes for Lower Premiums
If you live in an older home, strategic remodeling will not only improve your quality of life, but can also help you pay less for homeowner’s insurance. Whether you hire a professional remodeling company or use a DIY resource to tackle home improvement projects yourself, improvements such as updating your plumbing, electrical systems, or kitchen and bathroom equipment can get you a lower rate on your home insurance policy.
- Add Disaster Prep Measure to Save More
When it comes to natural disasters, some areas are at higher risk than others for being damaged through events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. If you live in a high-risk disaster area, updating your home with disaster prep remodeling can save you up to 30 percent on your homeowner’s insurance policies.
For home disaster preparation, be sure your home is fortified in accordance with guidelines from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This will provide the highest possible insurance policy discounts for your home.
Whether you already have a homeowner’s insurance policy, or a new homeowner deciding which company to insure your home through, or have decided to invest in your home by obtaining quality insurance, there are plenty of ways you can save money on home insurance. And when your home is insured, you’ll enjoy the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re protected in the event of unforeseen circumstances or disasters. Don’t hesitate to shop around for the best homeowner’s insurance available.