Lower Your Homeowner’s Insurance – Part 2

Surprising Ways to Get Better Deals! 
In our last blog, we talked about some ways to save on your homeowner’s insurance. Believe it or not, there are still many more, some of which are lesser-known credits offered to homeowners just for doing some very simple things. Read on to find out how you can benefit—and save big on your new home!
Keep Your Homeowner’s Insurance Costs Low:
Did you know that homeowner’s insurance rates can vary as much as hundreds of dollars? That’s why it’s worth it to 1) shop around, and 2) research all of those hidden factors that can help to keep your costs down. If you haven’t already, check out Part I of this blog for helpful ideas. And here are more things you can do:
Consider raising your deductible. The deductible is the amount you have to pay before your homeowner’s insurance kicks in. If you can afford it, consider raising it as much as your budget will allow, because the higher your deductible, the lower your monthly premiums.
Try bundling your insurance policies. Often an insurer will give you a break if you purchase at least a couple of policies from them, such as home and auto. They could give you a deal from anywhere between 5 to 15 percent. But as with everything else, be sure to do your homework. If you shop around, sometimes you might discover that purchasing your policies from different insurers will actually cost less.
Be a loyal customer. Some insurers will give you special discounts, anywhere from 5 percent or more, just for being a customer for five or more years. As we mentioned above, still check your rates against those offered from other companies to make sure you are still getting the best deal each year.
Don’t file many claims. This is true for all types of insurance companies. The less they have to pay, the more that savings may be passed on to you. It doesn’t count against you if you have damage from a weather event, but if your claim involves theft or possible flood damage, be sure to get a contractor to your house to get an estimate, just to prove whether or not you’ve passed your deductible.
Maintain good credit. Like we said about auto insurance, your credit history does affect your rates. So always pay your bills on time, keep your balances low, and pay them off quickly. Also, check your credit to make sure there are no errors that could negatively impact your credit rating.
Take advantage of 55+ discounts. If you are a mature homeowner, there are insurance credits available. The reasoning is this: when you are a young adult, a working professional, you’re away from your house a lot during the day. If something should happen—a gas leak, a burst pipe, fire—you’ll be gone and won’t know about it until possibly a great deal of damage has occurred. If you’re of retirement age, you tend to be at home more often, and can immediately address any issue before it becomes a disaster. So ask your insurance company about giving you a break!
At Zawada Insurance Agency, we’ll help you shop around to find the best deals on car, home, and other types of insurance—including bundling, if it helps you to save more.
Please contact Zawada Insurance Agency for details.
Zawada Insurance Agency, Inc. is a family-owned and operated independent insurance agency, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving central Massachusetts and beyond.