Sunday, February 15, 2009

Affordable Home Insurance -- Tested Steps To Discounts

By Chimezirim Odimba

Following are time-tested tips for all who want very affordable homeowners insurance rates...

1. A higher deductible will bring in cheaper rates so make the right choice when buying. If you've already purchased a home insurance policy that you are very happy with, increase your deductible.

Remember, though, that you'll be expected to provide this amount if you make a claim.

You can slash off as much as 25% from your home insurance rate if you raise your deductible from $500 to $1000. The higher your deductible, the cheaper your home insurance rate. Nevertheless, do take care not to choose an amount that you will find hard to produce..

Let it be as high as you can easily pay.

2. Don't insure your home along with the land it is built on as this will cost you more but quite unnecessary. Some people spend much more than they should on home insurance due to this mistake. You have made same mistake if you insured your house for the cost you bought it without checking the cost of the land it is standing on and subtracting it.

If you did such ignorantly, you need to re-evaluate your home insurance coverage and check it again with your agent. Subtract the cost of the land and you will find out that you will need far less coverage.

With such a review you will lower your rates considerably and still leave with adequate home insurance coverage. Bear it in mind that insuring the land your home is standing on is plain waste of money since it does you no good whatsoever.

3. You will save yourself a lot if you buy your home in a location that does not call for additional insurance from some natural disasters. To have an idea, expect to spend an additional $400 for flood insurance for a home in a flood-prone region.

You should know that no mortgagor will let you stay without such where you need it. And even if you have cleared your mortgage, you'll not feel comfortable to know that you have not given yourself protection from a peril that has a high chance of occurring.

You can save yourself all that extra costs by purchasing your home in a flood-free area.

4. Window locks on all windows will help you save since they reduce your home's risk of burglary. You will save even much more if you go further to have burglary-proof bars fitted on all of them. If you're not one of those folks who have a deep hatred for such, they'll help you get reasonable discounts. If you have nothing against this quickly fix them in your home and enjoy more affordable rates.

5. A swimming pool is definitely one of those things that makes it a dream home. But do you appreciate that it raises your premium substantially especially if you don't take adequate precautions?

Even though you will attract more expensive rates if you have a swimming pool, you can reduce what you pay by having a fence around it or taking other safety measures. - 15224

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