What Factors Affect Your Homeowners Insurance Cost and Coverage?

Ewoka Elliat

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During disaster situations, it is vital that you are protected, especially when it is your big investment in your own home. When purchasing your house you may need to obtain homeowners insurance for it if your house is damaged in any way. If you have no idea that insurance is important for your home it may cause you problems.

If you've ever wished you could get homeowners insurance for less than the actual cost of the house, you've come to the right place. We've put together a list of factors that will determine your homeowners insurance premium. Depending on where you live, your age and construction materials, your credit score and even your gender, homeowners insurance can cost thousands of dollars less than the value of the house. Read on to learn how to reduce your premium and make your home more secure.

Depending on where you live

Homeowners insurance costs vary considerably depending on where you live. The cost of a policy is directly proportional to the deductible, the amount of money you have to pay out of your own pocket in the event of a claim. The typical deductible amount is $500, but you may want to opt for a higher amount to save on the premium. Besides deductible, there are other factors that may affect the cost of a policy, including the type of house and the age of the house. Brick houses may have lower premiums than wood ones, as they pose less risk of fire.

Your credit history

Insurance companies use your credit history to determine your rates and coverage. Your credit score is based on your financial behavior. To make the process simpler, insurers use a credit-based insurance score. If you have an excellent credit score, you may be eligible for lower rates. On the other hand, if your credit score is poor, you may be subject to higher premiums. To avoid higher premiums, try to pay your bills on time and reduce your credit card balances.

Your home's construction materials

Several factors affect your homeowner's insurance costs and coverage. First, the type of construction material your home is made of. If your home is made of brick, you are guaranteed to have solid load-bearing walls. You can tell by knocking on the wall or drilling into it. On the other hand, if your house is made of frames, the insurance company may place you in a higher risk category, assuming that the frame makes your home less sturdy.

Your home's age

The age of your home affects the price and type of coverage you'll receive. Older homes are more prone to problems, so the cost to repair them may be higher than the original purchase price. Also, older homes may not be up to code, so they'll cost more to insure. However, there are ways to reduce your insurance costs without sacrificing coverage. Keep reading to learn how to reduce your insurance cost and coverage.

Your claims history

One of the most important factors when buying homeowner's insurance is your claims history. If you've made more than one claim in the past few years, your insurer may get flighty and cancel your policy. You shouldn't make too many claims as they can increase your premium or even make you ineligible for a claims-free discount. Generally, you can space out claims as much as possible.
 
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