Have you ever wondered why your homeowners insurance rate is that high? Or why your friends have lower premiums than you?
There are several factors that affect your homeowners insurance rate, which we’ll outline below. Your insurance company takes these factors into account in order to protect itself and to ensure that you have enough coverage.
Main factors that affect your home insurance premiums
Your insurance premium is the price of your home insurance policy. When you ask your insurance agent for a quote, they will take into consideration certain factors that may affect your rate, such as:
#1 Replacement cost
The replacement cost is the amount it would take to rebuild your home in case it is destroyed in a covered peril, such as a tornado or fire. It is calculated by taking into account the home’s square footage, current construction costs, number of rooms, features, etc. So, if you have a luxury estate, your rate will likely be higher, considering that it is larger than normal.
#2 Credit score
Another factor that can affect your rate is your credit score. Insurers consider homeowners with low credit scores (below 670) as high-risk since there’s a chance that they’ll miss a payment. In addition, homeowners with low credit scores are more likely to file small claims than homeowners with above-average credit.
#3 Condition of the home
Newly built homes are more expensive to insure. This is because they’re usually outfitted with brand-new appliances, electrical systems, smart home devices, and more. Replacing these in the event of a fire, hurricane, or another disaster will cost your insurance company a lot of money. In some cases, you may even have to raise your coverage limit.
#4 Deductible
By raising your deductible, you can lower your premium rates. Just be sure that you have enough savings to pay for your deductible in case you file a claim. For instance, if you file a claim for $5,000 and your deductible is $2,000, you’re going to have to pay for the $2,000 out-of-pocket.
Other factors that affect your home insurance rate
You’d be surprised at how many factors affect your home insurance premium rates. To the average homebuyer, they may seem insignificant, but to your insurance company, they can’t be overlooked. Here are surprising factors that can raise or lower your insurance rate:
#1 Distance from bodies of water
Do you own a waterfront home? Are you living closer to the coast? If you answered yes to either of those questions, your home is likely in a flood-prone area. As a result, your premium rates will increase. Your standard home insurance policy will cover you in the event of a flood, however, you may have to get additional flood insurance if you’re in a high-risk flood zone.
#2 Number of small claims filed
Insurance companies are on the lookout for “frequent filers”. This is because frequently filing claims indicates that you’ll likely file more claims in the future. Instead of filing an insurance claim, consider paying out-of-pocket especially if it’s a minor issue. For instance, if you lost electronics valued at $500, instead of filing a claim for losses, replace your items using your savings instead.
#3 Distance from a fire station
The closer your home is to a fire station (or even a fire hydrant), the lower your premiums are likely to be. Living near a fire station means that there’s a greater chance that the fire will be put out before your home is destroyed. Your insurance company will likely use the Fire Suppression Rating Schedule (FSRS) to rate your home according to its distance from the nearest fire station.
#4 Neighborhood
If you live in a neighborhood with a high crime rate, your insurance premiums will be higher than average. Your insurance company doesn’t want to risk losing money from claims for lost items, vandalized property, and so on. Similarly, if your neighborhood is prone to sewer backups, your rate will also be higher.
#5 Heating system used
Oil and wood-burning heating systems are a fire hazard — that’s one of the things that insurance companies hate. To keep your rates low, switch to electric heating systems. Remember, the safer your home is, the lower your premiums rates will be. Consult a property manager to learn how to make your home less risky.
#6 Dog breed
Your dog’s breed may impact your premium rates. Insurance companies will raise your rate simply because of the “bite risk” of your dog. They may even exclude certain dog breeds from your policy, such as Pitbulls, Rottweilers, German Shepherds, Doberman Pinschers, and Akitas. Keep in mind, however, that even if your dog isn’t an “aggressive” breed, its bite history may impact your rate.
#7 Nuisances
Nuisances are everything that is potentially dangerous — especially to children. These include swimming pools, treehouses, trampolines, fountains, wells, and more. Insurance companies raise your rates due to these nuisances because they increase the risk of injuries and accidents.
#8 Size of the house
If you live in a big house, you likely have more stuff than someone who lives in a standard single-family home. This means that it would cost your insurer more money to replace, repair, or rebuild your property and possessions in the event of a fire, flood, or other covered peril.
How to lower your premium rates
Every homeowner wants to lower their premium rates. If your quoted premium is higher than what you expected, here’s how you can lower them:
- Raise your deductibles
- Make your home safer by installing burglar alarms, smoke detectors, security cameras, etc.
- Build a fence around nuisances such as swimming pools and trampolines
- Stay on top of regular maintenance and repairs
Consider hiring a property manager
If there’s one thing that insurers like, it’s a risk-free home. One of the best ways to lower your homeowners insurance rate is by making sure that your home is safe year-round. Hiring a property management company like Luxury Property Care means that you’ll have peace of mind, knowing that your property is well-maintained.
Plus, our connections with South Florida’s top insurance companies allow us to negotiate better deals on your behalf. We’ll make sure your insurance policy covers everything that could possibly happen to your property.
Call us today at (561) 944 – 2992 or fill out our contact form to learn more.
