Skip to main content

These 6 things are driving your homeowners insurance up (and what you should do)

Owning a home is a great investment, especially during economic periods when home values increase, but owning a home comes with expenses. We do several things to save on our annual home costs, from energy-saving practices to refinancing our homes, but did you know there may be ways to decrease the cost of your homeowners insurance? We’re going to discuss some common factors that drive up the cost of your homeowners insurance, as well as some ways you can bring the cost down.

SnapshotPhotos / Shutterstock

Things that drive up the cost of your homeowners insurance

Many variables go into determining the annual cost of your homeowners insurance. Some variables you can’t change, like the size and location of your home. Other variables you may be able to adjust to bring the cost of your premiums down, like the total amount of coverage you have or the amount of your deductible.

Recommended Videos

There are also some factors you may not have thought of that may increase the cost of your insurance. Since insurance companies base your rate on how much risk is associated with covering your home, these six common things may be driving up your premiums.

Adding valuables to your policy

If you’re diligent about adding newly purchased valuables to your insurance policy, like that new piece of artwork or that expensive necklace you got for your anniversary, you may be aware that adding valuables to your policy increases your insurance rates.

Having an old roof

A home with a new roof will have a lower insurance premium since the risk of replacing the roof is lower. However, if your roof is older, you may get a higher rate to offset the risk of covering your home.

Installing outdoor play equipment

Outdoor play equipment is a fun addition to your home that makes the kiddos enjoy being outdoors. The problem is, insurance companies don’t see outdoor play equipment as all fun and games. Homes with pools or trampolines have higher risks and are more likely to file claims, so rates tend to be higher.

Living in regions with extreme weather

It can be expensive to insure homes in areas where earthquakes, hurricanes, or flooding are common. You can’t control the weather in your region, but if your home is in disrepair or lacks protection against extreme weather, your rates could be even higher than your neighbor’s.

Owning certain breeds of dogs

We certainly love our fur babies, but owning certain breeds of dogs drives up your homeowners insurance and may even make your home uninsurable. Even if yours is the sweetest and most well-trained pup, insurance companies will still see it as a risk to insure the home of a “dangerous” dog breed.

Having a poor credit score

Just like banks and credit card companies, insurance companies use your credit score to determine how risky it is to cover your home. If your credit score isn’t stellar, it could be a factor that increases your homeowners insurance premiums.

Exterior of light colored house.
Konrad Kozaczuk / Shutterstock

What you can do to lower homeowner’s insurance

The good news is, there are some things you can do to drive your home’s insurance rate down. Some of these tips may take some time and money to set in place, but the amount of insurance savings may be worth it.

  • Keep up with home repairs. This mitigates the risk for insurance companies to cover your home.
  • Install an approved home security system. Insurance companies know that owners of secured homes are more likely to notice fires, damages, and break-ins earlier and file smaller claims.
  • Fortify your home with weather-resistant updates, like earthquake proofing, flood-preventing measures, and hurricane-resistant windows. This will reduce the risk of damage and lower your premiums.
  • Increase your credit score to reduce the risk of covering your home.
  • Talk to your insurance company regularly, particularly before installing a pool, getting a dog, remodeling, or making other changes.

Considering all the costs of owning a home, like taxes, maintenance, and mortgage interest, you could use any savings you can get. While homeowners insurance isn’t necessarily the most expensive cost when it comes to homeownership, taking steps to reduce your premiums can go a long way in earning you savings over time. If your insurance is impacted by any of the common things we’ve discussed here, it may be time to consider making some changes to your home to drive that cost down.

Veronica Sparks
Veronica Sparks is a writer from Milwaukee, Wisconsin who loves writing about gardening, home décor, and DIY life. She’s…
Is it safe to sleep with a space heater on? What you need to know
Find out if having a space heater on overnight is safe
white space heater on hardwood floor in office

When it’s practically freezing outside and your apartment or home doesn’t have central heating, it can be more than uncomfortable. You may try layering up the blankets on the bed or drawing the heavy curtains across the windows to deter chilly breezes, but there are some nights where even that isn't enough to trap the limited heat available. Even if you have built-in heating, the vents may not reach certain spots in your home, and in this case, a space heater is the best solution.

Still, leaving a space heater on overnight can be worrisome. What happens if it falls over during the night? What sorts of things should you consider before leaving it on overnight? If you’re asking yourself, "Is it safe to sleep with a heater on?" don't fret. We’ve got the answer here.

Read more
This is what you should be planting in fall for a beautiful spring garden
Plant these seedlings in the fall and watch them grow in spring
Chair beside blooming flower garden

If you want a beautiful spring garden, it's a good idea to think ahead by getting to work now and planting in the fall. Autumn is the perfect time to clear old flower beds, build garden pathways, add architectural elements to your landscape, and of course, plant. The truth is that fall is the ideal time to install cold-hardy plants, and we'll discuss why. As you plan your garden for the year ahead, consider planting the below seedlings right now. 

Benefits of planting in fall
Overall, planting in fall is ideal for many variations of turf, flowers, shrubs, and trees because pest populations will dwindle soon, letting you sidestep damage from these critters, and plant growth patterns will turn in your favor. The cooler autumn air is much more forgiving, and the still-warm soil offers an ideal environment for deep-root development.

Read more
Can water in an electrical outlet start a fire? What you need to know
Here's why you should take caution if you find water in or around your electrical outlets
White wall with white strip of electrical outlets

In our society, we depend greatly on electricity to live our normal lives. From large appliances to small devices, there are a lot of electrical currents around us at all times. While we’re surrounded by electricity, we are also surrounded by moisture in the form of indoor plumbing, rain, and even our meals and beverages.

We know that water and electricity don’t mix safely and that their combination can cause dangerous shocks to our bodies, but could there be other dangers, as well? Can water in an electrical outlet start a fire in your home?

Read more