Smart people understand the importance of Home Insurance and the protection it offers. However, they also do not want to overpay for insurance and get the best available coverage for the most affordable rates. There are many factors that can make home insurance less or more expensive, and keeping in mind those when looking for home insurance can make a big difference. Here is how smart people buy home insurance.

First, reducing the risks and exposures will result in lower premiums and discounts from insurance carriers. Make your home safer by installing burglar alarms, smoke detectors, dead-bolt locks, or even complicated sprinkler systems, to earn discounts on premiums. Install fire-resistant and impact-resistant roofing materials to get even more discounts, because a more secure roof will suffer less damage from debris, hail, and embers. Increase protection for your home with noncombustible siding, and hurricane-resistant siding in hurricane-prone areas. Moreover, learn how to make your house more resistant to earthquake damages.

Second, do not underinsure. If your coverage is inadequate, it will not help you to save on out-of-pocket expenses. This is especially relevant if your home is located in a high-risk area for flood, earthquake, or hurricane. These are not typically covered by the Homeowner’s Insurance policy, so you will need to purchase supplemental Flood Insurance, Hurricane Insurance, or Earthquake Insurance. Understand what your coverage does and does not cover, and make adjustments accordingly.

Third, consider not only the value of your home in the event of an accident, but the costs of labor and materials needed to rebuild it. Moreover, include in your calculations everything inside your house – your belongings, especially collectibles, jewelry, and high-end electronics. Those are typically excluded from the usual home insurance policy. Review the value of your house and your possessions and speak to a licensed independent agent to determine the desirable limits for your Homeowner’s Insurance policy.

Fourth, maintain good credit rating. Customers with good credit history receive better rates from insurance carriers compared to those with poor credit. Pay your credit card bills on time and make sure you keep your balances as low as you can afford. Always check your credit record and have it corrected in case of an error.

Fifth, and the last point, is to shop for insurance from multiple providers. This may be bothersome if you are looking on your own, but with the help of experienced independent agent, you will be able to access multiple policy options from various carriers and choose the policy most suitable for your needs, with the help of a licensed professional.