Top 5 Home Improvements That Can Save You Money on Your Home Insurance

A generator will keep your HVAC, fridge, sump pump and dehumidifier running during a power outage and in many cases this can help reduce claims such as flooding and other types of water damage.

Summer is in full swing and that is often the time to get out and make some improvements to your home. Home improvements can range from small things like installing a fence to major projects like putting on a new roof.

Home improvements not only make your home more functional, they may help you put some money back in your pocket when it comes to your homeowners insurance policy.

Here are just a few home improvements that can help lower your homeowners premium.

Put in a Security System

Insurers love homes that are difficult to break in to so adding a monitored home security system will almost always result in a discount on your homeowners insurance premium.

The amount of the discount can vary but in many cases will range between 2 and 10 percent. You may have to provide an “alarm certificate” to your insurer that verifies it is a monitored alarm that alerts the local police or fire department if it detects an issue.

Adding a sprinkler system to your house will usually result in a significant discount but these systems can be expensive to install and maintain.

Replace Major Home Systems

Upgrading and replacing major systems in your home will usually result in a pretty significant discount as they are less likely to cause a fire, leak or other issue that will lead to a claim.

If you have recently upgraded your electrical, plumbing or HVAC system let you insurer know as you may be entitled to a discount. The discount amount can vary but in most cases you can expect 5 to 10 percent depending on exactly what upgrades you have made.

Replace Your Roof

Replacing your roof can result in a couple of different types of discounts. Most insurers will offer a discount for a new roof, as it is less likely to leak which can lead to an expensive water damage claim. If you have recently had a new roof installed, let your insurer know and ask about any potential discounts.

If you live in an area that is prone to hurricanes, tornados, wildfires or just severe thunderstorms, replacing your roof with wind resistant materials or a “fortified” roof can often result in a significant discount. Depending on where you home is located, discounts for these types of roofs can run up to 35 percent as they can dramatically cut down on roof damage caused by wind and hail.

Some insurers only hand out discounts for specific roofing materials so be sure to check with your insurer before purchasing a new roof to make sure it qualifies for a discount. Most insurance companies have a list of approved materials.

In addition to roofs, you may also be able to wrangle a discount by adding roof clips to your home, which help keep the roof in place during a major windstorm as well as by adding storm shutters, which can protect your windows and interior during a storm. Check with your insurer regarding possible discounts for these types of improvements.

Installing Detectors and Sensors

While smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are usually required in homes these days, you may still garner a discount for them. This is especially true if your alarm company monitors these detectors.

In addition to standard smoke detectors, it is now possible to have sensors installed that detect other conditions such as freezing temperatures and even leaking water and gas pipes. Freeze alarms will text or call you if your home falls below a certain temperature so you can adjust the heat.

A water or gas leak detection system will immediately notify you if it detects a leak which can dramatically reduce the amount of damage a water or gas leak can do, which is why insurers are happy to offer a discount for these types of systems.

Discount amounts will vary from a pretty small discount for a standard fire detector to more substantial discount for a water or gas leak detection system.

Install a Generator

While a whole-house generator can be sort of pricey, your insurer will most likely offer a discount if you have one installed. These types of generators ensure that your homes major systems continue to operate even during a prolonged power outage.

A generator will keep your HVAC, fridge, sump pump and dehumidifier running during a power outage and in many cases this can help reduce claims such as flooding and other types of water damage.

Like all discounts, the actual amount will vary but expect between 5 and 10 percent if you put in a generator. In most cases you will have to provide proof that the generator is permanently installed and it was done a licensed professional.

A Few Additional Tips

Here are a few additional tips for lowering your homeowners insurance premium:

Raise Your Deductible: If you can afford it, raising your deductible will result in a lower premium. Double your deductible if possible but make sure you can easily afford to cover it in the event you have to make a claim.

Fire Mitigation: If you live on a property that is heavily forested, doing fire mitigation will often result in a small discount. Cutting back trees and brush near your home and outbuildings will not only help protect your house, it should lower your premium.

Shop Your Coverage: Insurers rate risk differently so premium quotes can vary dramatically. Shop your coverage at least once a year and make sure you are comparing apples to apple when it comes to coverage levels and deductibles.

At HomeInsuranceKing.com, we will shop multiple home insurance rates for you all in one place. You can easily receive up to 12 competitive quotes for your home and we also provide the best discounts and enhanced coverage options. Get Free Homeowners Insurance Quotes Today!