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give me a quote on homeowners insurance

Knowing how to save money can go a long way toward offsetting higher premiums:

•     Raise your deductible. Covering smaller losses could mean a substantial savings on your homeowners insurance premium. Hiking your deductible from the standard $250 to $500 can save you 12%. According to insurance.com, a consumer insurance Web site, a $1,000 deductible can save you up to 30% . If you raise your deductible, bank some of the premium savings so that you’ll have the money for minor home repairs.

 •     Buy all insurance policies from the same company in order to receive a multiple policy discount.

 •     Avoid filing frivolous claims. Submitting a legitimate claim after years of paying premiums is justifiable; however, frequent claims may mark you as a high risk. Consider personally paying for smaller losses to avoid related premium surcharges or even the chance of non-renewal.

 ●   Review your policy annually. Correct and/or update the information. Double-check the information regarding how far your home is from a water source such as a fire hydrant, as well as the location of the nearest fire station. If you carry an insurance endorsement on an item that is depreciating. reduce or eliminate the endorsement that covers it.

 •     Although there are more cases of under-insuring rather than over-insuring, make sure your land is not included in the amount of insurance coverage you buy. Land is part of your home’s market value but does not need to be insured.

•     Stay with your insurer. Some insurers reduce premiums by 5% after three to five years, and up to 10% if you remain a policyholder longer.

•     Keep tabs on your credit. An Insurance Bureau Score (IBS) is a snapshot of your credit, based on information in your credit report. Some companies take insurance scores into account when assessing a potential homeowner or auto insurance risk. IBS reflects your credit payment patterns.

•     Ask about available discounts. Some companies provide discounts for new construction, since newer homes are built to updated building codes and standards. Some insurers offer discounts for monitored home security systems. As previously noted, if you’ve had your home insured with the same company or agency for several years, you may also be eligible for an additional premium discount.

HOW TO PREVENT LOSS OF HOMEOWNERS INSURANCE

Protect your home against typical perils. By preventing losses and claims, you can also help to keep the cost of insurance down.

These include:

•     Keep fire extinguishers in fire-prone areas such as the kitchen and laundry.

•     Replace old, faulty wiring and make sure to tell your insurer.

•     Regularly check your roof, down spouts and pipes for leaks.

•     Discourage crime by using exterior lights at night and deadbolt locks.

•     Repair loose railings, steps or walks.