The average premium for the most common type of homeowners insurance was $1,211 in 2017, the most recent year for which data was available, according to a report issued last year by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. That figure was up slightly from $1,192 in 2016.
But that doesn’t tell the whole story. The annual cost of homeowners coverage can vary by hundreds of dollars, depending upon the size of your house and what insurer you choose, according to the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group that provides information to consumers. And while experts caution that skimping on your coverage to save money isn’t a good idea, there are some things you can do to reduce your costs and ensure that you get the best deal available.
First, be wary when you shop for coverage. "We always say, don’t be penny-wise and pound-foolish," explains Amy Bach, executive director of California-based consumer advocacy organization United Policyholders. "If you let the insurance company know that the only thing you care about is price, that’s a great way to ensure that you end up short on protection. You want to get a fair price and basic, solid protection."
The institute also cautions that when you shop for homeowners insurance, you should be looking at more than just the cost. You’ll want to make sure that the insurance company has a good record for dealing fairly with policyholders, and that it provides good consumer service. Otherwise, if you ever have to file a claim, you may come to regret just going with the lowest price.
Here are a few steps that the institute suggests you can take to check out potential insurers:
- Ask friends and relatives for recommendations, based on their own experiences.
- Contact your state’s insurance department and see whether the company has a record of complaints. You can find your state regulators on this list from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners.
- Check the financial health of potential insurers by checking a rating service such as AM Best. Here’s an article on how to make sense of the ratings.
- Look at consumer publications. One good source is Consumer Reports’ homeowner insurance ratings, which evaluates insurance carriers on the basis of factors such courtesy, timeliness of payment, promptness, simplicity of the claims process, and the ease of reaching an agent.
- Talk to the company yourself and see if its representatives take the time to answer your questions and address our concerns.
Cost-saving Tactics
Once you’ve figured out who you might buy insurance from, here are some other moves for reducing the cost of your homeowners coverage.
- Go with a higher deductible. If you’re willing pay more than the usual minimum of $500 or $1,000, you may be able to save a few dollars, the institute suggests. (One thing to keep in mind when you’re doing this is that if you live in an area where you have a higher risk of certain disasters, a policy may already come with a separate deductible for damage from those particular events.)
- Bundle your policy. Some companies will give you a better deal if you buy multiple policies — for example, an auto insurance policy or umbrella liability coverage. Policygenius, a consumer insurance website, estimates that you can say up to 20 percent on your premiums this way.
- Look for discounts. You may be able to get a price break on the basis of your age, or if you’ve upgraded your plumbing or electrical systems, or if you’ve installed security measures such as a burglar alarm or fire alarm system, according to the institute. Jenny Fitzpatrick, product director for Allstate Insurance, notes via email that you also may be able to get a discount if you have a newer home or roof, or if you have a history of being claim-free. Finally, "Smart home technology is easier to install and more affordable than ever, and it could qualify you for a discount," Angi Orbann, vice president of Property for Personal Insurance at Travelers Insurance, notes via email.
- See if you qualify for group coverage. You may able to get a deal through your employer, or through a professional, business or alumni association, Tim Bowen, assistant vice president of home operations at MetLife Auto & Home, says via email.
- Stay with the same insurer. Some companies will give you a discount for being a longtime customer. But the institute advises that you shop around first, in case some other insurer offers an even better deal.
Now That’s Interesting
Janet Ruiz, the Insurance Information Institute’s director for strategic communication, advises owners of older homes that it’s important to have coverage for building code upgrades, which could affect the cost of rebuilding.