We all love to save money, and most of us like to make New Year’s resolutions. Therefore, it almost seems crazy if we don’t look to combine the two.
It is important to keep on top of your homeowner’s insurance policies. Situations change, and in turn so can your rates. This could mean you need to add something to your homeowner’s plan, and this may incur a cost. However, this works both ways, and you may be paying more than you should be. Here are a few New Year’s resolutions, homeowner’s insurance style, that may give you the opportunity to reduce your homeowner’s rates.
Go New
Let’s start with the big one; this will be relevant if you are in the market to buy property. Of course, you don’t want to spend more than you have planned, but buying a house less than 10 years old doesn’t necessarily mean you are going to go over budget. If you are considering buying new already, the following point will only reiterate that for you. It isn’t unusual to save on your premiums when buying new. It’s all based on the simple concept that the newer the property, the less likely it is for problems to arise, and therefore the less chance there is for you to need to file a claim.
Home Improvement
Most of us are not in the market to buy at the moment, and if you ignored the first point because of that, don’t fear. Home improvement can help lower your homeowner’s insurance. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure that your property has protective devices such as a fire alarm and a security system. Always check with your insurance company before installing these features, but you will typically make yourself eligible for a protective-device premium. Other improvements such as revamping your appliances and replacing plumbing can also make a difference to your premium.
Go Green
It probably seems as if everything and everyone around you is going green. Well, that isn’t far from the truth. The bottom line is, however, that in most cases going green will allow you to be more desirable to insurance companies. It isn’t uncommon for carriers to offer discounts to homes that use alternative energy sources such as solar panels. Not to mention, green living will save you money on day-to-day costs that are totally unrelated to insurance.
Get Healthy
If you are unhealthy and have made New Year’s resolutions, chances are that you already included your health on your list. However, you may be surprised to know that it could also save you money on your homeowner’s insurance. That’s right, we’re talking about homeowner’s insurance, not health insurance. If you are a smoker, quit, but make sure everyone in the household is on the same page. If no one in the household is a smoker then some insurance companies will often offer a discount.
The beauty of these money saving tips is that it is never too late to make a change. Even if the New Year has passed and they can’t technically be New Year’s resolutions, there is no harm in implementing them in the middle of the summer.
At TJ Woods Insurance Agency, Inc., we would be happy to help you achieve the best insurance rates possible. We can assess your homeowner’s insurance and let you know what can be done to improve your premium. Contact us today to learn more.
