If you are like many homeowners, you feel that homeowner's insurance is something you need, but something that you hate paying for. This is especially true if you feel that you are paying too much for the coverage you have. The good news is, there are some ways that you may be able to cut some of your insurance costs and keep more of your hard earned money in your pocket.
Compare Prices
Once you write your homeowner's insurance with a company, it is easy to leave it there year after year even when you are seeing increases year after year. While it may take a little time on your part, shopping around for your homeowner's insurance may save you hundreds of dollars per year. If your insurance payment is a part of your escrow account that you pay for through your house payment, a lower insurance payment will mean a lower mortgage payment.
If you are trying to decide which company to go with, look up the company on the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) website. It can provide you with a lot of information about the various companies including previous complaints that have been filed.
Bundle Your Policies
Many times you may be able to find a slightly lower auto insurance policy one place and a lower homeowner's policy another, but where can you get the best rate on both? You will usually get the largest discount on both policies if you bundle them and keep them both in one place. To ensure that you are getting the best price, compare the total cost of both policies together, rather than comparing car insurance to car insurance and homeowners to homeowners.
Do not be afraid to negotiate and haggle. Most companies have a certain amount of wiggle room, or may have an additional discount that they are able to give you in order to get or keep your business. Do not be afraid to ask.
Look For A Group Policy
Does your employer or professional organization or association offer any type of insurance products? If so, you may be able to find a much lower rate with these insurers than you will be able to find elsewhere. This is because these companies are offering group rates versus individual rates. Because they are insuring a larger number of people, the risk pool for the insurer is better than it is on individual policies.
Maintain Good Credit
Many states are now allowing insurance companies now conduct credit checks as a part of their application process. It has been shown that if you have poor credit, you may pay a median of 91% more for insurance than you would if you have excellent credit. This varies from state to state but has been prohibited in the states of California, Massachusetts and Maryland.
As long as you are a homeowner you will never be able to totally eliminate what you are paying in insurance, but you can take the necessary steps to reduce your rates.
