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Cutting Cost Of Home Insurance
Author : Brad Swarner
Security and safety
• Install a good home security alarm system to reduce theft risk: Some insurers have preferred security systems on which they will give you a discount. A NACOSS standard alarm can cut premiums with some companies by 7.5%.
• Changing your locks: If you’ve recently moved home, it is difficult to know who else has a set of keys. It is good practice to change locks as soon as you can after moving in. Five-lever mortise locks are recommended for external doors while windows should ideally have two bolt locks.
• Timed lighting: Your home is more vulnerable to theft when you out. Time-switch lights may make a potential intruder think there is someone at home.
• When you are away from home: Cancel newspaper and milk deliveries. Ask a trusted neighbour or friend to open and close the curtains and collect mail, or push it right through the letterbox out of sight.
• Keys: Don’t leave them outside in obvious places such as under a doormat or flowerpot. When you leave keys in the house, don’t leave them too close to the front door - ‘hook n crook’ thieves can simply hook them through your letterbox and are then free to let themselves in without attempting a forced entry.
• Install security lighting: This helps make dark paths safe for your visitors and you. And unwelcome visitors are less likely to loiter if they have no dark places to hide.
• Fire: Fit and maintain a smoke alarm and take simple steps to avoid accidents. Most fires in the home are caused by smoking or cooking; never smoke in bed, don’t leave cigarettes lying around and don’t leave cooking unattended. Other fire tips include closing doors at night to contain fires, check the home is safe before going to bed and keep matches away from children.
• Smoking: Fire risk increases significantly if you smoke at home. Most insurers will now ask if you are a smoker.
• Join a neighbourhood watch campaign: This can help to reduce your premium by up to 5% if you inform the home insurance company of your participation in a scheme.
Keep your property well-maintained
• Look out for subsidence: Check the excess and levels of cover on your policy relating to subsidence. Check your building and garden regularly for any signs of movement or cracking.
• Frozen and burst pipes: You may be able to avoid frozen pipes in the home by keeping your heating on very low during extremely cold periods, and by ensuring you have sufficient lagging around water pipes if you have any in your loft. If you think pipes are frozen, turn off water at the main valve and header tank to cut down the water that can escape. Then call a plumber or your water company for advice.
Wise choices on your home insurance
• Increase your voluntary excess: This is the amount of money you are willing to pay yourself on any claims. The higher the excess you are willing to pay, the lower your premium will be. This can be as much as 20% with some companies for as little as £250 excess.
• Don’t claim unless you need to: The fewer the claims, the higher your no claims discount (lower your premium). So for minor issues that would be inexpensive for you to cover with your own cash, think twice before making a claim. Also see which home insurance companies offer a no claims discount. This can save you up to 20% on your premiums.
• Natural conditions: Excessive water, heat and frost can affect homes. Repair any damage or threats to your property and avoid buying a house in a high-risk flood area as this will help keep your home insurance premium down.
Author's Resource Box
Hastings Direct offers home insurance, van insurance and more. Visit http://www.hastingsdirect.com to find out more.
Article Source:
Articlebliss
Tags: home insurance, house insurance, contents insurance
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Submitted : 2008-12-10 Word Count : 643 Popularity: 96 Times Viewed: 35
