Real estate is a large investment—much larger than a car—and one that needs the best protection possible. It’s your home! You want to enjoy it for as many years as possible and maintain it properly; real estate appreciates in value from year to year. Keep your home covered against perils like wind and wildfire by shopping around for the best home insurance possible. Saferoad Insurance is dedicated to providing affordable insurance for cars and homes alike. While we work with you to find the best premium, learn about some other ways to lower your home insurance in Anaheim. You’ve got a surprising amount of control over that cost!

Work On Your Home

Keep your home in the best condition possible and take measures to protect it against damage. Weather conditions in California can be unpredictable, so it’s better to be safe than sorry. Make your home as resistant to disaster as possible by reinforcing your roof and investing in storm shutters.

Install smoke detectors around your home and check the batteries regularly. Deadbolt locks, burglar alarms, and even full home security systems can get you a discount on your home insurance. Insurers like to see a home that’s difficult to break into or burn down.

If you live in an older house, call a contractor to retrofit it to better withstand earthquakes. While you’re at it, modernize your heating and plumbing, as well as your electrical system. These measures help minimize any fire or water damage your home may see. The more safety precautions and updated fixtures you have in your home, the more manageable your premium can be.

Stick With One Insurance Company

When shopping for home insurance in Anaheim, CA, consider buying from the same folks who handle your auto insurance. Talk to your provider about discounted rates for bundling home, auto, and liability insurance together.

Plus, if you stick with the same insurer for several years, you may start to see your premium go down—especially if you’ve kept your home in top condition. Insurers like Saferoad Insurance take good care of long-term policyholders.

Watch Your Credit

Your credit score can impact just about every aspect of your life, from applying for a credit card to purchasing a home. Banks, insurance companies, and various lenders do keep an eye on that number, and they’ll let you know if it takes a dive.

Keep your credit card balance as low as possible and pay off your debt regularly. Checking your credit score is free and easy to do; if the number looks strange or changes drastically, correct any errors as soon as possible. When you build a strong credit history, you show your insurer that you are a reliable, responsible person who can pay bills on time.

Raise Your Deductible

It sounds counterintuitive at first but raising your deductible can save you money in the long run. A deductible is the amount of money you pay to cover a loss before your insurance kicks in to pay the rest. The more you pay up front to cover damages, the lower your monthly premium will be. And if you avoid any damage to your home, you won’t need to worry about that deductible anyway.

Before you make any decisions, though, consider the area where you live. If your neighborhood is particularly prone to natural disasters, many insurance companies carry separate policies for earthquakes and floods. If you buy all your insurance from the same provider, though, they may offer a slightly discounted rate. Think about all the types of home insurance you’re buying, and remember: to lower the cost you pay per month, raise your deductibles according to your budget.

Take Care When Buying Your Home

If you’re currently shopping for a home in Anaheim, ask your real estate agent about the area. Is it an earthquake risk? What about the crime rate in the neighborhood? Before you make a financial commitment, imagine your future in that home. Some places will be cheaper to insure if they have a fire hydrant right outside or a professional fire department in the neighborhood.

Generally speaking, homes in areas that are prone to natural disasters will be more expensive to insure. There’s a great deal you can do to your home to protect it, but sometimes, natural disasters are inescapable—especially in California. You’ll know more about the area when you move in, and you can start right away on updating and retrofitting your home to hold up to the weather.

If you know you have lots of big-ticket items like artwork, antiques, or furs, be wary of moving into a crime-heavy area. Home insurance also covers possessions inside your home that could be stolen or damaged—but avoid that possibility in the first place by choosing the right location.

Review Your Policy

At least once a year, take a closer look at what you’re paying for. You could be paying more per month than is necessary for your home and the items therein. While new additions and expansions to your home will add to that premium, look for other corners you can cut.

Some items do depreciate in value over time. If you bought an antique vase for $3,000 at auction and then chipped or damaged it, it’s not worth that $3,000 anymore. Several items in your home are likely no longer worth what you paid for them. It’s silly to insure them for more than their actual worth, so sit down with your provider once a year and discuss exactly what’s in your premium.

Real estate in California can cost you a pretty penny, so it’s in your best interest to protect your home on all sides. Saferoad Insurance provides affordable home insurance to many locations in the state, because we know home ownership can be unpredictable. Keep your home covered against theft and dangerous weather while watching your wallet; home insurance doesn’t have to break the bank. You’ve just got to know exactly what you’re insuring and how you can keep it in the best condition possible. Saferoad Insurance will help you lower your home insurance in Anaheim so you can enjoy that peace of mind in a safe, protected home.