Did your rates increase again?
Here’s how to lower home insurance…without sacrificing coverage.
Whether you live in a cozy condo, suburban single-family home, or sprawling beachside estate, everyone is looking for ways to save on their insurance premiums.
The problem? Every year, your home insurance premiums keep going up. Isn’t there anything you can do about it?
As it turns out—yes!
While Florida has been in the middle of a hard insurance market for the past few years, it would be a mistake to think that there’s absolutely nothing you can do to lower your home insurance costs.
At Harry Levine Insurance, we take our job as insurance educators very seriously, so it’s important to us that all Florida consumers understand their home insurance coverage so they can make decisions that benefit them the most.
In this article, we’ll show you how to lower home insurance costs without sacrificing coverage.
Use an Independent Insurance Agent
Using an independent agent is one of the best decisions you can make when it comes to insurance.
Not only are they free to collect quotes from multiple different companies (giving you more choice), these insurance professionals have experience in dealing with them. As a result, they know which companies are awesome to work with, which ones aren’t, which of your assets is increasing your premiums the most, and they can identify areas where you may be under-protected.
To top it all off, they have a bird’s-eye view of your entire coverage portfolio, so any advice they give you will be well-rounded.
(And don’t worry, their services are free of charge!)
Get a Wind Mitigation Inspection
Getting a wind mitigation inspection is one of the easiest ways that Florida homeowners can lower their insurance premiums.
For around $100, you could receive anywhere from $80-100 off your home insurance premiums each year. Wind mitigation inspections literally pay for themselves!
Maintain Your Home
Insurance carriers want to decrease as much risk as they can, so staying on top of basic home maintenance can help reduce claims (and therefore, premiums).
But don’t limit yourself to regular routine maintenance. Old roofs, recalled electrical panels, polybutylene pipes…these can all add up to higher premiums too. If you have any of these features in your home, repairing or replacing them may help bring those costs down.
If you have a pool, trampoline, or other “attractive nuisance,” installing safety features can help show your insurance company that you share the same aversion to risk as they do.
Upgrade Your Home
Some companies offer discounts for smart home features—alarm systems, video doorbells, smart locks, smoke detectors, leak monitors, and more.
While not every company has jumped on the bandwagon yet, it’s always worth checking out whether that spiffy new Ring doorbell you just installed could get you a discount.
File Fewer Claims
Think carefully before you file a damage claim! If the repair costs are going to be roughly the same as your deductible, it probably isn’t worth it to file a claim. It’s best not to think of your insurance policy as a home repair membership plan but a lifeline in the event of a serious emergency.
While one claim here and there isn’t going to make much difference, multiple claims back-to-back will. Wait until you have more serious damage before involving your insurance company.
If you’re not sure, call your agent to get their advice. There are many complicated situations (such as hurricane claims) in which filing a smaller claim may make sense.
Did you know that Hurricane Deductibles are generally on an annual basis? That means filing $500 claim after Hurricane A makes sense. It makes even more sense when Hurricane B and C come along a few months later, causing more damage. You may want to file even small damages to help use up that annual deductible. (This situation does not apply to your All Other Perils deductible, only hurricanes.)
And it should go without saying, but we’ll say it anyway: Never file a fraudulent claim! Fraud is one of the biggest reasons why home insurance premiums have increased so much in the last few years.
The insurance industry works best when everyone is honest.
Use Preferred Contractors
In the event you decide to file a claim, be very careful about the contractors you hire.
Never ever use a contractor that finds you! We’ve seen lots of roofing companies defrauding consumers (and insurance carriers) this way. Instead, call your agent to see which contractors they recommend.
Contrary to popular belief, this is one area where your interests and the insurance company’s interest align. Both of you want the best work for a reasonable cost, so getting their input can ensure a great experience for everyone involved.
Improve Your Credit Score
Yep! Your credit score is a big factor in determining your insurance score, which is used to calculate your premiums.
As it turns out, making good financial decisions can help you in more ways than one.
Cost Isn’t Everything
While everyone wants to save a few bucks on their premiums each month, it’s important to remember that the lowest cost rarely equals the best insurance coverage.
Settling for “less-than” coverage might reduce your premiums initially, but it’s going to end up costing you in the end. In the event of an emergency, you’ll have to pay out the nose for repairs as well as the higher deductible.
While learning how to lower home insurance may be important to you, coverage should always be your first consideration.
We Can Help!
Ultimately, knowing how to lower home insurance comes down to one important factor: Who is on your side?
At Harry Levine Insurance, we have a team of insurance experts who have the knowledge and experience to guide you towards the decisions that are the best for you in the long run.
We pride ourselves on taking a one-of-a-kind approach to your coverage that looks at the big picture and we only recommend the carriers and policies that we would trust to help protect our own families.
If you’re looking to get great coverage that fits your lifestyle and your budget, we can help! Call today or visit our website for a free quote. We can’t wait to hear from you!
