Ways To Save Money On Home Insurance As Rates Rise
Ways To Save Money On Home Insurance As Rates Rise
Published on April 06, 2022. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes
As homeowners, it is vital to understand the importance of having home insurance. The right coverage provides financial security and peace of mind in the event of an unexpected incident, such as a fire or natural and man-made disasters. Having home insurance is probably one of the easiest ways to protect your investment and ensure that you are financially covered if something unexpected were to happen.
Once you start living in your home, plenty of things need to be done. Right from shifting your belongings from the old place, to buying new things for the house, from setting up the furniture to organising the rooms, the list can be a long one. Amid all of these things, getting an insurance policy for home is quintessential as well. As widely acknowledged, a house is one of the most expensive properties, which is also dear to you and your family. Hence, protecting it is a must. With the rising rates of home insurance premiums, you may sometimes find it hefty to pay off the premium. However, not everyone knows how to save money on home insurance.
Tips that can help you to reduce home insurance premium.
1. Choose a policy that best suits your needs.
Striking a balance between what coverages your house needs and how much premium you can afford is the first step. Calculating all your ongoing financial commitments can let you reach a practical ground on the expenses you can allow on home insurance premiums. The next step is to surf the market and get the best possible home insurance for your home. Make sure you do not cut down on essential covers to save money, as it may only cost you heavily in case of any mishap.
2. Deductibles make a significant difference.
Have you ever thought about increasing your deductibles? Well, deductibles can be the game changer. As goes the rule of deductibles, the higher it is, the lower the premium will be since you will pay a higher part of the overall claim (if raised). Considering all the factors and risk levels of your location, you may go for a higher deductible.
3. Auto-renewal may not always be the best way out.
Nowadays, every sort of online payment generally has an autopilot payment option. No doubt it makes you free from checking the reminders of the renewal date and making the payment, it has its own cons as well. When you think about ways to save money on home insurance, auto-debit is probably not a good idea. You may not get the opportunity to know about the better deals available. Without the automated renewal, you can ask your insurer about other plans or discounts that you may avail of.
4. Save on claims with safety devices.
Safety devices, at the time of installation, may not seem an exciting idea, probably because their high cost is a factor. However, devices like smoke alarms, fire detectors, etc., are future investments. There have been several instances where mishaps have been curbed at the right time, all because of the safety devices in the house. Whether you are in a rented accommodation and are applying for tenant insurance, or if you are a homeowner, with the right gadgets, an insurance company sees your house as low-risk, and thus, you may get a rebate on the premiums as well.
5. Research before renewal
When the renewal time is close, it is better to have an idea of the current market. You never know what better policies/options others may be offering. And so, before you renew your plan, you should definitely browse the market once.
6. Avoid making smaller claims.
Small claims that you can cover on your own should not be raised. This gives your insurer the assurance that you are not a high-risk customer. Not making small claims is all the more useful when your insurer provides a no claim bonus for the year that you do not make a claim. A small claim can, thus, debar you from getting premium discounts.
7. Try bundling your general insurance products.
Despite people having various general insurance plans, the idea of clubbing all of your general insurance products together is actually a lesser-known golden tip. For instance, if you have one or more motor insurance, home insurance, jewellery insurance, etc. you may want to club it all and get it from one insurance company. In such a case, you are highly likely to get a premium discount and other amazing deals.
8. Build a good credit score.
Your reputation in the financial market is depicted by your credit score. The better and higher it is (a score above 700-750 is considered good), the higher your chances of getting the best deals. So, try and pay your debts on time to maintain a good credit score.
9. Remove high-risk things from home.
Just like in a motor vehicle, if you install expensive accessories, the premium rises. Similarly, having high-risk products in your home can lead to an increase in your house insurance premium. Not just the fact that risky things impact premium, but it also fetches a good amount on its maintenance and storage. For instance, chemicals aren't just risky but also require a separate place to be stored. So, to reduce home insurance premium, do not keep unwanted/ unimportant risky things inside your house.
10. New house, better rates
Often, a new house is less likely to report issues. Over time and continuous use, your house may start reporting several issues, be it sewage, plumbing, electricity issues, etc. So, it is advised to get your home insured immediately after purchasing and settling in it. This is because the premium rates for a new house, for the said reasons, are likely to be low as compared to an old house.
Conclusion
The right time to get home insurance for your house is Now! If you are soon purchasing a house or if you have lately realised the value of home insurance, do not delay securing your beloved home. You may also go for tenant insurance in case you live on rent. While you are struggling to get the best available deal, do not forget to keep the aforementioned tips and tricks in mind to keep your home insurance premium at its lowest. Keep an eye on the policy market for better deals, and do not forget to ask for the applicable discounts along with no claim bonus benefits. With all of these ensured, you are all set to enjoy the most profitable and affordable insurance deals.
Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.
RELATED ARTICLES
How Credit Score Affects Home Insurance Premium?
How to Calculate Property Insurance Premium?
6 Reasons to Switch Your Home Insurance Provider
Planning to Buy Home Insurance? Here’s How to Compare Quotes From Insurers
Why your home insurance rates or the premium may increase?