Almost every homeowner in Alabama has homeowner's insurance, and it's not just because mortgage lenders require it. The vast majority of homeowners who own their homes outright and are not required to buy insurance still do so.
It's easy to see why. Most people's homes are their most important and valuable possessions, and they want to do everything they can to protect them. This makes a lot of sense.
Still, no one wants to pay more for their homeowner's insurance than they have to. Everyone in Alabama wants to save money and get cheap homeowner's insurance, and why shouldn't they?
There are a few things you can do to lower the cost of your homeowner's insurance, which is good news. The more things you can do, the more money you'll save each month.
Start with what you owe. You're right. How much you pay each month for home insurance depends on how good your credit is. Your monthly homeowner's insurance bill will be less if you have a good credit score.
Next, cut back any weeds or brush that is near any building on your property. This will lessen the chance of a fire.
Burglars will be less likely to break in if you install motion-sensitive floodlights and trim bushes away from all windows. You should also make sure that every exterior door has a deadbolt lock and that all windows have locks that work.
Fix any cement walkways on your property that are broken or cracked, and make sure there are no potholes or other hazards that could cause people to trip or fall. Replace or fix any decking or porch floorboards that are loose, and make sure that all railings are solid.
Tell your agent everything you've been up to.
Most people think that fire is the most common reason for a homeowner to file a claim on their insurance. In reality, the most common reason is water damage caused by a broken pipe or a bad appliance connection. If your home is 10 years old or older, ask your agent how much you could save each month if you made a one-time investment to upgrade your plumbing and wiring. Check to see if the math makes sense to you.
Install the right number of smoke and fire alarms for your home's size and layout. To keep your detectors working well, you should change the batteries in them twice a year. Buy a fire extinguisher made for kitchens and keep it in your kitchen.
A home security system that is monitored 24/7 can save you 20 percent or more on your homeowner's insurance. Talk to your agent before choosing a company, though, because not all systems qualify for the same discount on your monthly premium.
How much can you pay each time you make a claim as a deduction? Each month, your insurance will cost less if your deduction is bigger.
When deciding how much insurance to buy, keep in mind that you need enough to rebuild your house from the foundation up and enough to replace all of its contents. However, don't make the rookie mistake of insuring for the value of the land your house sits on.
Now it's time to go online and find at least 3 sites that make it easy to compare the prices of different insurance companies' homeowner's policies. Make sure you fill out the form on at least three different comparison sites with the same information so that your comparisons are accurate and you can see prices from as many insurance companies as possible.
Now, all you have to do is choose the company with the lowest price that you trust will still be in business in 30 years. You have now saved money and gotten the best possible discount on your Alabama homeowner's insurance!
