Buying home insurance is difficult enough without having to worry about high rates. So, to help keep your rates down, we are covering ten factors that will increase those home insurance premiums! 

1. Proximity to a Fire Station 

You are costing yourself money if your home is not near a fire station. Homeowners that live close to a fire station receive a 4% discount from many home insurance companies.

2. The Age of Your Home 

If you live in an older home, you are likely paying more for your insurance policy than if you had a newer home. This rate increase is because older homes are more likely to need repairs and get damaged by adverse weather. 

3. Your Dog’s Breed

If you have a dog that falls within a specific group of breeds, you are likely paying more for your home insurance. So-called “aggressive breeds” are a liability, and some homeowners insurance companies will not even offer coverage for homes with “dangerous dogs.”

4. Your Marital Status 

If you are married, you likely pay less for your homeowner’s insurance than if you were single. Insurance companies offer more favorable rates to married couples because they are statistically less likely to file a claim.

5. Having Water Features 

Whether you have a hot tub, a swimming pool, or a pond, having a water feature increases your insurance premium. These features pose a drowning risk and increase the likelihood of someone getting injured on your property.

6. A Low Deductible 

If you have a homeowners insurance plan with a low deductible, you are paying far more than if you picked a higher deductible plan. Many homeowners choose an insurance plan with the lowest deductible to “make things easy,” but bumping up your deductible just a little can save you a bundle in monthly premiums. 

7. Your Home Location 

If you are shopping for a home, consider the location you are shopping in. If you buy a home in a high-crime, central city area, you will pay higher premiums than in a low-crime, suburban location.

8. A Wood Burning Stove or Fireplace 

If your home has a wood-burning stove or fireplace, you are likely paying more for your homeowner insurance premiums than you would be with a home without these features. Why? Because they pose more of a fire risk.

9. Your Insurance Score 

An insurance score works like a credit score, and insurance companies use it to assess the risk of insuring you. Similar to your credit score, if your insurance score makes you look like a financial risk, you will pay higher premiums.

10. The Age of Your Roof 

If your home has an older roof, you will pay higher premiums. Houses with new roofs or recently replaced roofs are looked on more favorably by homeowners insurance companies because there is less chance of roof collapse or damage.

Conclusion

No one wants to pay more than they have to for home insurance, but you can keep your rates down by making a few changes to your home or shopping for a home without certain features.