Saturday, February 11, 2012

Tips For Finding The Right Home Owner's Insurance

By Betty Sobanko


Just when you think you live in a safe area where nothing can damage your home, something like an earthquake can come along and literally shake your foundations to the core. This is why you need to have a solid homeowners' insurance policy. Check out some of these great insurance tips. Here's an idea you probably never thought of. Your insurance premium costs may be lowered if you store your valuables in a home safe .

Consider geography when you consider how much your home owner's insurance policy will cost. Regardless of the materials used for your home, where it's located can make a huge difference in cost. Homes at the beach or near a large lake, will cost more to insure, as will homes in a earthquake prone zone. Make sure to budget these factors in when selecting your policy.

When shopping for homeowners insurance, saving money is key. Having devices such as smoke alarms, carbon monoxide detectors, and monitored home security alarms in place can offer great discounts. Remember to discuss these (and other) safety devices with your agent when negotiating your next homeowners insurance policy.

Consider a policy that offers guaranteed replacement value when shopping for home owners insurance. Guaranteed replacement value means that if your home is destroyed the insurance company will pay the cost to rebuild it, regardless of what that cost is. Considering that the cost of construction often increases over the years, this is especially important if you will be in your home long term. Having such a cushion can offer you true peace of mind.

Engrave your personal information on high-dollar items such as electronics to make them more easily identifiable in case of theft. Your home owner's insurance policy provides coverage from theft, but taking the time to record your name and address on valuables can help the police after a claim and may result in the recovery of your possessions rather than having to replace them.

If you can, pay off your mortgage to reduce your home owner's insurance rates. Insuring a home without a mortgage or lien often results in lower premiums. Insurance companies consider a homeowner without a mortgage to be a lower risk in many cases and make certain assumptions about how well-maintained the property is when there is no lien.

For the biggest reduction in your homeowner's insurance premiums without sacrificing coverage, raise your deductible. Raising a $500 deductible to $1000 can net you up to a 25% reduction in homeowner's insurance costs. Your premium savings will allow you to easily save the additional money needed to satisfy the deductible in case of a claim.

You should check to see what your replacement cost coverage is estimated to be. Typically a company has a replacement cost of your possessions at 25% of the value of the house, but depending on your stuff, you may need more to cover damage. Find out how much more you would have to pay to get 100% replacement coverage.

Keep insurance considerations in mind when you plan a major home addition or renovation. The materials and techniques you use in making additions can have a major effect on your future insurance premiums. Sturdy, fire-resistant building systems like concrete and steel will cost you less to insure than standard wood-frame construction.

By using tips like these focused on homeowners' insurance, you will begin to understand how this type of insurance works and how you can save a lot of money without having to give up on the coverage features you need. Always make sure that you've learned about insurance before you sign on.




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