The Top Ways to Make Your Home Safer and to Save on Insurance

April 2, 2018

While there’s no way to protect your home from theft or destruction 100%, there are some simple steps you can take to make it safer. These steps will not only help save you from loss, but could also help you save money on your monthly insurance premiums.

[sc_content_link label=”Get today’s insurance rates.” cat=”home”]

Install an Alarm

Installing an alarm system may protect your home on its own. But, having a monitored alarm system can help you save on your homeowner’s insurance premiums. Burglars often look for homes that don’t have signs of an alarm on the home. If you have one, make it well known with signage in your yard and on your windows.

Paying a premium to have the alarm monitored will help give you even greater peace of mind and help with your insurance premiums. Knowing that the authorities will be alerted at the first sign of a tripped alarm decreases your risk of an insurance claim which helps lower your premiums with some companies.

Install Deadbolt Locks

It’s not enough to have standard locks on your doors. Burglars know how to break into them rather easily. Instead, install deadbolts and then make sure you use them every time you leave the house. Even if you know you are only running out for a few minutes, lock the door. It only takes a matter of seconds for thieves to gain access to your home and steal your valuable items.

Check Your Electrical Wiring

It’s easy to get comfortable with the safety of your home, but if you have electrical wiring anywhere in the home, it deserves a regular checkup. Look for things like:

  • Frayed wires
  • Appliances that don’t have enough circulation and could cause a fire
  • Make sure there is enough room between electrical appliances and sources of water
  • Check that all cords are properly plugged in
  • Make sure all cords have enough breathing room and are not covered
  • Don’t use cords for any other purpose than they were intended

Updating your wiring will make your home safe and could even help you save on your insurance if you upgrade to safer wiring, especially in places like your basement where the wiring tends to go ignored.

Install Smoke Detectors

If you don’t have smoke detectors on every floor in your home, it’s time to add them. It’s highly recommended that you place one in each bedroom so that anyone that is sleeping is quickly alerted of the fire. At the very least, make sure the detectors are near all areas where you spend the most of your time so you know right away of any fire or smoke in the home.

[sc_content_link label=”Shop and compare insurance quotes.” cat=”home”]

It’s even better if your home security system also has a fire/smoke alarm on it. If the system is monitored, you may snag a discount on your homeowner’s insurance.

Make Weather Resistant Changes

Some insurance companies offer discounts for certain weather resistant changes you make. For example:

  • Any wind mitigation changes you make to a home in a hurricane-prone area can save you on your insurance
  • Install a damage resistant roof based on the weather conditions your area experiences
  • Make flood resistant changes to your home

Any changes you make that reduce the risk of damage to your home due to storms or other weather-related issues may help reduce your homeowner’s insurance premiums.

Install Smart Technology

Today’s technology makes it much easier to keep track of what’s going on in your home when you are not around. A few of the most common changes you can make include:

  • Smart doorbell that alerts you anytime someone opens your door(s) including the garage door
  • Timed lighting that can make it look like someone is home even when they aren’t
  • Flood sensors can alert you of any water in your home right away rather than waiting until the damage occurs and it’s too late to stop it

Any technology that can alert you of something unusual going on in your home can help you prevent serious damages. This not only keeps your home safe, but reduces the risk of a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. Some insurance companies offer discounts if you have any smart technology in your home.

These are just a few ideas of how you can make your home safer and your insurance less expensive. The best way to get the lowest premiums is to shop around. Let other companies know what you have in the home and how you protect it. You might be surprised to learn the differences in premiums from agent to agent.

The more steps you to take to protect your home, the more money you will save.

[sc_content_link label=”Get the right insurance coverage.” cat=”home”]