Your home is one of your most valuable assets, and it is important to protect that asset with good insurance. But how can you be sure you have a good homeowner's insurance policy? And how do you know what you should avoid? These tips will give you the information you need to make good insurance choices.
Install a security system in your home. Not only will it make you and your family feel safer and give your home some added safety from potential intruders, you will also find that it usually lowers your usual home insurance premiums. It can actually end up saving you as much as 20%.
TIP! Secure your property by installing an approved burglar alarm and replacing broken locks on doors and windows. Home insurance providers look favorably on customers who secure their homes, as it decreases the chances of theft or arson.
Don't wait to find homeowners insurance. If your offer for a new home has been accepted, it's time to start your comparison shopping. You will need to have this figured out and in place before the close of escrow. Make sure that you get accurate quotes from several companies before you make your choice.
Make sure that you have a record of everything that is covered under your home insurance. Make a detailed list, and take pictures of all valuables. It also helps to keep receipts for big ticket items. There is free software online that will enable you to create a home inventory, room by room. If you need to make a claim, having all this information on hand will help to speed up the process.
Make multiple copies of the photo or video inventory you create for home insurance claims. The best thing to do is take digital files and put them onto multiple CD's along with a spreadsheet of all the items on the videos, their serial numbers, cost at purchase, and the date you bought them. Leave a copy at a family member's house for safe keeping.
TIP! Some insurance companies offer a discount for being claim free for a certain amount of time. Usually this time ranges anywhere from 3-5 years and can offer a discount up to 15% for being claim free.
When it is time to renew your policy, be sure to take the time to get quotes from other companies. You may find that you are going to get the same coverage from a different company for less than what you have been paying for the current policy that year.
Safety can save you money. Your premiums can be lowered by employing safety and preventative features in your home. Deadbolt locks and monitored security alarms can both help to save you money on your homeowner's insurance policy. Also, having fire extinguishers and fire alarms in your house help you to save.
Contact your insurance agent if you build a new external structure on your property like a storage building or detached garage. Most home owner's insurance policies cover a certain amount of external structures, but when you add additional ones, it is a good idea to make sure you have adequate coverage in case of damage.
It's important to take the time to assure your homeowner's insurance policy is a good one. Now that you've read this article, you have advice that will guide you through the insurance process. Take time to review your insurance policy from time to time. Protect one of your most valuable assets!
