Your home is your family’s haven – it’s the one place you can’t wait to return to at the end of a long day, a space for spending quality time, and the backdrop for creating beautiful memories. You’d probably do anything to protect your home, but you also have to watch your budget.
We understand the importance of securing the right home insurance policy that adequately protects your largest investment, without straining your finances. The good news is, there are plenty of smart ways to save on home insurance and shrink your monthly premiums. Here are our top tips for keeping more money in your pocket, while ensuring that you have the necessary protections in place for your home:
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Avoid Over Insuring Your Home
To save money on home insurance, don’t insure your home for more than it’s actually worth. Insure your home for how much it would cost to rebuild it instead of the market value of the home. Particularly in today’s overvalued Ontario housing market, if you’re insuring your home for its real estate value, that is likely far higher than the cost of rebuilding in the event of a disaster, and therefore you’re probably paying for more protection than you need.
2. Increase Your Deductible
Your deductible is the amount you’re responsible for paying towards an insured loss. The higher the deductible you decide on, the less expensive your insurance will be. Home insurance companies typically have a standard deductible, but with home prices increasing, this standard deductible has increased as a result. If you’re comfortable financially paying a higher deductible, then it’s recommended to do so since it’ll help you pay lower premiums over time.
3. Avoid Small Claims
Home insurance coverage should ideally be reserved for large claims that you can’t afford to cover on your own. Often, if you make two claims in three years, your policy will be canceled and your new company will charge substantially more. Therefore, it’s important to avoid making small claims when you can afford to cover those costs on your own and hold out to make a home insurance claim when a catastrophic loss occurs.
4. If Possible, Don’t Live in a High-Risk Area
Some areas are more prone to water damage and will cost more to insure, if available at all.
5. Bundle Your Coverage
If you bundle your home insurance coverage with car insurance from the same provider, then you may be able to enjoy savings on your monthly premiums. Consider what other types of insurance you may need, and try to negotiate discounts if you’re purchasing multiple products.
6. Shop Around
With so many options available, it can feel overwhelming to find the right home insurance policy or provider for your needs. An insurance broker can help minimize your stress by shopping on your behalf, using their experience and expertise to present appropriate home insurance that fits your needs and budget. Your insurance broker can also make sure you’re accessing all available discounts for which you may qualify. Since your insurance broker is not contractually tied to any one provider, they can help you shop around every few years to make sure you’re getting the best rate.
How to Purchase Home Insurance
When it comes to protecting your home, the right home insurance policy is critical. Yet, choosing a policy that aligns with your budget may be challenging. An insurance broker will act in your best interests and can guide you through the process of purchasing an affordable home insurance policy from a reputable provider while providing the proper coverages. The team at Keller & Associates Insurance Brokers has the expertise and experience to help homeowners like you across Niagara Falls, St. Catharines and surrounding areas protect your largest investment; reach out to our team today.