photo credit: hoyasmeg

Homeowner’s insurance is a regular expense for anyone who owns a home. This extremely important insurance coverage protects what is, for many people, your most valuable asset. But, in these trying financial times, even the most necessary expenses need to be kept to a minimum.

Saving on your home insurance is often as easy as making a phone call. Many times, there are discounts available to you that you may not be utilizing simply because you didn’t tell the insurance agent that they applied to you. Talk to your insurance agent and explore the different discounts that will entitle you to lower insurance premiums. Possible discounts may include:

New Home Discounts – Be sure to tell your agent if your home is less than ten years old.

Material Discounts – Homes made with some more durable materials like stone or bricks may enjoy lower premiums. You should also ask your agent about any discounts for damage-resistant roofs made out of materials like metal or tile.

Alarm Service Discounts – Homes that feature monitored alarm services are often eligible for special discounts.

Insured Age Discounts – Older homeowner’s may enjoy lower premiums than their younger counterparts.

Claim-Free Discounts – Homeowners who never, or rarely, file a claim are often favored with discounted premiums.

Besides taking advantage of special premium discounts, you may be able to find another way to lower your insurance premiums. If you can afford to pay a higher deductible in the event of a loss, you can raise your deductible and enjoy some significant savings. Just take care to choose a deductible amount that won’t throw your family’s finances into chaos.

Finally, carrying all of your insurance coverage through the same company will entitle you to many multi-policy discounts. For instance, having your auto insurance and homeowner’s insurance through the same carrier will entitle you to a nice discount. While shopping for insurance, be sure to mention each type of insurance you need and find a carrier who can take care of each one. And, as with all things, be sure to shop around to get the best possible price.