A lot of people say that the lingo on Wall Street is too confusing for people to understand and that’s why the companies are always able to get away with hurting the average person. Well, the same holds true for insurance companies. Don’t fall victim to the confusing lingo and use these tips to help you purchase the right home insurance plan.
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.
Not cleaning your gutters can lead to costly roof and wall repairs, which will either come out of your pocket or end up as a claim on your home owner’s insurance. If you choose the later route to finance them, you could end up with a large increase in your premiums. Have your gutters inspected every year!
Don’t forget your power tools when creating your home owner’s inventory! Items in your garage or shed tend to be expensive, including your lawn implements or snow blowers. Photograph them and keep track of how much you paid for them and when you bought them so when you have to file a claim you’ll have the information handy.
If you make your home damage-resistant, your premiums will go down. Your best bet is to call your insurance company and find out what upgrades you can do to lower your premium. It could be as simple as adding storm shutters, or reinforcing your roofing materials. You can also upgrade your plumbing or heating systems to reduce the risk of there breaking down and causing flood or fire damage.
If your home is new or very recently built, check with your insurance company to see if you qualify for a discount based on the newness of the dwelling. Many home owner’s insurance carriers offer discounted rates on new construction because the home is less likely to have pre-existing problems or damage.
If you live in an area that frequently experiences earthquakes, or even one which doesn’t, you probably don’t have earthquake coverage in your insurance. As we’ve seen in 2011, an earthquake can happen anywhere and can be even more damaging in an area that isn’t prepared for it, so the coverage is worth getting.
Insurance for your house is a must as long as you still owe a mortgage. This protects the bank on their investment. Once you own your home in full, you will still want your insurance in case of theft or other damage so that you are not left fully covering all the repairs and loss.
Of course, it’s much more than their strange and foreign words that make dealing with insurance companies a bit worrisome. It’s the fact that they just may literally hold your future in their hands. Use the tips you just read to make sure that you’re as well protected as you can be and also, that you’re getting a fair price on coverage.