The cost of homeowners insurance varies widely from state to state. In some cases, can be challenging to determine precise policy pricing because multiple factors have to be taken into account. If you want lower home insurance premiums, you may want to consider these 4 upgrades to your home.
Some of the upgrades are expensive, which means it could take some time for any discounts to match the cost of the upgrade. But reducing the cost of your insurance is just one of the advantages.
What Home Upgrades Will Lower Your Home Insurance Premiums?
- Home Security System: A home security system is one of the easiest upgrades homeowners can make. It reduce both the cost of the policy and the risk of loss due to accidents, storms, or burglary. Home security is typically covered under protective device discounts and may cover everything. These include smoke alarms and door sensors to centrally-monitored systems that notify emergency personnel if a problem arises.
Insurers report that homeowners can save about 10% on their policies when installing home security. And since monitoring is a monthly cost, you probably won’t recover the total amount you spent. But because the average loss as a result of burglary was just over $2,300 in 2016, it makes the upfront cost of home security more appealing.
- Water Shutoff Devices: Data from the Insurance Information Institute reveals that water damage accounted for nearly a third of losses in 2016.
Devices that are designed to cut off the water supply when they sense damage to water lines, plumbing, and pipes can prevent substantial damage. Also, it will save homeowners an average of 3% on their premiums.
- Storm-Safe Windows: According to the Insurance Information Institution, hail and wind were the number one cause of loss in 2016. One of the key improvements to avoid wind damage, especially in areas that are prone to hurricanes, is storm-safe windows.
Wind-related discounts may only be pertinent if you live in a state with a higher risk of wind or meet specific retrofit requirements. Those who live in wind-prone areas could enjoy a 10-15% credit on their policy for wind protection upgrades. If you live in an area that is considered to be high-risk, storm-safe windows could save you thousands in repairs should a bad storm damage your home.
Further Home Upgrades That Lower Home Insurance
- Updated Roofing: Sure, a new roof is an expensive and substantial project. But a bad roof can cost you a lot more. If your roof begins to leak, you’re probably going to have to deal with rotting wood and water damage inside your home.
Insurers typically offer several types of discounts for roof updates. One is an impact-resistant discount for roofs that protect against hail and lightning. Another is a roof-age discount that applies to homes with newer roofs.
Roof discounts can range anywhere from 5% to 35%. And the more your insurance policy costs, the greater the effect these upgrades will have on your savings.
Lower Home Insurance: How And When To Upgrade Your Home
The best time for homeowners to perform major upgrades is when they’re renovating or building.
Before you begin making any upgrades, check with your insurance agent about the impact they will have on your policy costs and coverage. You need to meet specific certification standards or use particular materials to be eligible. Not all discounts are available in every state.
To get lower home insurance premiums after you’ve completed a project, submit proof of purchase and receipts to your insurance agent. Review your policy with your agent annually to determine what additional discounts you might qualify for.
With everything that goes along with purchasing homeowners’ insurance coverage, we will do everything we can to relieve your stress. We will ensure that you have the coverage you need. Mother Nature is unpredictable – especially here in Florida – so take a moment to contact us today so we can make sure that you and your home are properly protected!