Home insurance costs seem to increase every year.  If you follow a few of these tips you might be able to save some money.  You can never go with-out insurance so find a good policy and stick with it to receive a discount for longevity.

• Move all of your insurance policies to 1 Company.  Insurance companies reward customers who have multiple policies with the company, such as homeowners, automobile and an umbrella liability policy.  You will receive a large discount for packaging your policies and this makes it all worth it.
• Raise your deductible.  If you can easily afford to pay for a repair in excess of your current deductible, consider raising the deductible to the highest amount you are comfortable paying after an incident. Higher deductibles lessen the chance that you will file a claim and most insurance companies reward high deductible policy holders accordingly.  The rule of thumb is have a deductible that is about 1% of the market value of the home.
• Do not make small claims.  Insurance is meant to have for a catastrophic event.  Any claim you make will increase your premium.
• Upgrade basic house systems such as electrical, heating, plumbing and roofing.  A house with systems newer than 10 years old is considered safer than outdated systems on an older house.  Also, consider installing a back-up generator and central alarm system.
• Make sure you have the proper credits.  Most companies offer a good driver discount and/or reward you for a claim free history.  Some companies even offer a pay-in-full discount or EFT discount.  Talk to your agent to find more rewards.
• Do not include the land value in the insurance.  Banks may try to require you to carry coverage on the land, but only insure the value of the home.

Make sure you have enough coverage!  This is when a knowledgable agent comes in handy.  I can shop around for a great policy that will optimize your dollar and balance your risks and costs.  Feel free to contact me if you have any questions!