4 GREAT HOMEOWNER’S INSURANCE TIPS
How to buy house in Houston
1. Shop Around
If you use a mortgage lender to buy your new home, chances are they are going to require you to purchase homeowner’s insurance as well. Make sure that you determine the type of coverage you are going to require. For example, depending on where you live, you may need a flood insurance policy. Ask your bank or lender for advice, and get quotes from three to four different companies on their insurance rates.
Also, keep in mind that whichever insurance company you decide upon, chances are you are only going to talk to them when something bad happens, and you have to file a claim; check online reviews and word of mouth to make sure that the company you choose has a very good customer service reputation.
2. Lower Your Premium
As a prudent homeowner, your goal should be to get the best homeowner’s insurance at the lowest price. A great but little-known way to do this is to make improvements that, besides making your home better and safer, can also help to reduce your premium. Safety and security improvements – deadbolts, strong window locks, and fire and burglar alarms that alert emergency services – can make your family more secure, while simultaneously helping you reduce your monthly homeowner’s premium anywhere from five to twenty percent. A new roof, especially one that provides additional reinforcements for bad storms in hurricane-prone areas, can help you save a bundle on insurance premiums as well.
Finally, if you feel you have sufficient funds in the bank for emergencies, you could also consider boosting your deductible; doing so will often help to lower your monthly premium considerably.
3. File Claims Quickly and Document Everything
If there is a mishap that you think will require your home to be repaired, don’t hesitate; call your insurance agent right away and file a claim. All too often, homeowners wait too long to file insurance claims, move outside of their policy’s claim reporting window, and leave themselves vulnerable to not being covered. Making a prompt call when disaster strikes is the best way to avoid this hazard.
Additionally, when filing a claim, ensure you document everything. Take pictures of the damage you are reporting, and any purchases you make as a result of the incident. You should also keep meticulous records each time you speak to your insurance agent or any service provider the insurance company may contract with to address your claim.
If either the insurance company or the repair company comes up short in addressing damages on the claim you filed, your records will be the best weapon you have to seek recourse and get the services you are paying for.
4. Pool Your Policies and Watch Your Credit
When you are buying homeowner’s insurance, you should consider pooling your new policy with others you have from your current insurance company, like health insurance; companies often offer great discounts when you purchase another policy from them or combine them with the coverage you have already purchased at a reduced price.
Additionally, as you consider a homeowner’s insurance policy, you should check what your credit rating is as well. Like many other things, your credit rating can affect how insurance companies assess your level of risk and can cause your premium to rise considerably.
Working to raise your credit score can help to keep your premium in check, or even lower it a bit.
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About Ameri State Realty: Professional Realtors, Marisol Mendez and Esteban work together and represent early buyers for the purchase or sale of new or used homes in Houston, Cypress, Katy, Spring, Tomball, The Woodlands or any other community in the Houston area we can advise you. “I am a Real Estate Professional in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area. It has been my greatest pleasure to have helped many families close on their properties in the Houston Area. I am committed to making sure that your buying/selling experience is an enjoyable one. I am passionate about what I do and always looking out for the best interest of my clients.”
How to buy house in Houston.
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