As the holiday season comes to a close, many Florida homeowners will be seeking out ways to revive their lifestyle – and their wallets.
One of the biggest expenses Florida homeowners deal with is taking care of their homes. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce some of these costs, especially when it comes to home insurance.
Ready to start the New Year off right? Check out these five easy and effective ways to save money on your home insurance… starting now.
Shop Around
One common way to reduce home insurance costs is to shop around, comparing the price of your policy against that of similar companies. Do keep in mind that price alone isn’t the only factor you should consider when comparing policies. Just because a home insurance company offers cheaper rates doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the best company to meet your particular needs. Verify that your policy is the best value, balancing a competitive rate with quality service and coverage. Some home insurance companies offer online quote request services to help you easily compare policies and rates.
Policyholders often favor quality and financial stability over having a little extra cash at the end of the month. Ultimately, you need to know that you can count on your home insurance company when you need it most.
Review Your Policy and Get Rid of Unnecessary Coverage
When was the last time you reviewed your home insurance policy? We recommend reviewing your policy at least once a year to confirm your level of coverage so that you’re not paying for more than you need. If you’ve recently gotten rid of any valuable personal items – like jewelry, furs or electronics – your policy should reflect those changes.
Increase Your Deductible
Insurance premiums and deductibles have an inverse relationship – the higher the deductible, the lower the premium – and chances are you’ll pay your premium more often than you’ll need a deductible to cover losses. With most insurance policies, including homeowner’s, raising your deductible generally lowers your overall cost. According to the Insurance Information Institute, you can save up to 20% on your home insurance premium just by switching your deductible from $500 to $1,000.
Add Wind Mitigation Features
Homeowners can receive substantial credits for outfitting their homes with windstorm mitigation features that withstand or are more resistant to high winds. While there is an upfront cost involved, investing in wind mitigation features can lead to significant long-term savings, not to mention the peace of mind that comes with knowing your home will be safer.
Generally, a wind mitigation inspection is needed to determine which credits can apply to a home. If you would like to get a new windstorm inspection, People’s Trust can provide contact information for third-party wind mitigation inspectors.
Add Security Features
Most homeowner’s insurance companies offer credits for home security systems like burglar and fire alarms monitored by a central station. In order to receive credit, you must provide a current alarm certificate, dated within the last year, from the monitoring company. In addition to alarms, fire sprinklers can also help you save on your insurance premium.