Cheap Homeowners Insurance

Unless you have enough money in the bank to rebuild your house from scratch, homeowners insurance is a necessity. But working the cost of coverage into your budget can be tough.

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There are ways to save, though. Here are 6 things you can do to make your homeowners insurance cheaper.

1. Raise Your Deductible
Having a higher deductible means paying lower premiums. The trick is to make sure that you can afford the deductible if something does happen. Here's a hint: raise your deductible, and sock the money you save away in a bank account just in case you have to file a claim.

2. Cover Your Rebuilding Costs, Not Your Home's Value
When you bought your home, you didn't just pay for the house. You also paid for the land it sits on — which isn't at risk of being stolen or destroyed. When you're shopping for coverage, look for an amount that will cover what it costs to rebuild your home.

3. Make Your Home Secure
Insurance companies don't want to pay claims anymore than you want to file them. Take steps to protect your home from theft, and they'll reward you with a break on your premiums. Investing in heavy doors, extra locks, and alarm systems will get you a lower insurance bill.

4. Bundle Your Policies
Most companies that sell homeowners insurance also sell other kinds of coverage — especially auto. If you buy two or more policies from the same company, they're likely to cut you a deal.

5. Be Choosey About Which Claims You File
Once you have a homeowners policy, your premiums will be based in part on how many claims you file. That means you should not file a claim for every incident that happens. A tree broke a window during a storm? It's probably covered under your policy — but in the long-term, it's cheaper to pay the repair cost yourself.

6. Compare Rates
Homeowners insurance companies want your business — so they're always competing on rates. Before you buy a new policy, take the time to shop around and compare costs.

Ready to start talking to agents? Use our free quote service. Answer a few simple questions, and you'll be contacted with free homeowners insurance quotes.