5 Factors That Can Increase Your Homeowner's Insurance Rates

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Avoiding Renter's Regret: Understanding Renter's Insurance Coverage

Moving into my first apartment brought along a whole series of new experiences. I didn't realize that the property insurance my landlord carried wouldn't cover my belongings. I was lucky to find out before anything happened, and I spent a lot of time researching the difference between renter's insurance and the property coverage for landlords. I built this site to share all of the information that I learned, including the insurance coverage best practices I picked up along the way. If you're new to renting and don't have any renter's insurance, I hope the information here helps you to see how it could benefit you and what you need to do to get it.

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5 Factors That Can Increase Your Homeowner's Insurance Rates

7 October 2015
 Categories: Insurance, Blog

Homeowner's insurance protects one of your biggest investments, but it does not always come cheap. Opening up your home insurance bill and seeing a rate increase can definitely make you panic a little. However, if you know what things affect your home insurance rates, you can keep the costs down. Here are five factors that can increase your homeowner's insurance rates:

Trampolines

A trampoline in the backyard can certainly keep your kids and their friends entertained for a while, but it can negatively affect your home insurance rates as well. If one of your child's friends falls off the trampoline and gets hurt, your insurance company could be liable for the damages. Before you head out and buy a trampoline for your children, just think about how much more expensive your home insurance will be.

Low Credit Score

A poor credit rating does not just affect your ability to get loans; it can also increase your home insurance rates. Many home insurance companies believe that people with low credit scores are more likely to make insurance claims, so they charge them higher rates. Once you increase your credit score, you should see a drop in your insurance monthly premiums.

Neighborhood

Although it might not seem very fair, where you live can affect your home insurance rates. If you live in a neighborhood that has a lot of crime, your insurance company will likely charge you higher premiums. However, if you install an alarm system, your insurance company may lower your rates.

Aggressive Dog Breeds

If you own an aggressive dog breed, such as a pit bull or Rottweiler, your insurance company may charge you higher premiums. Dogs like these have been known for biting and attacking people, so your insurance company wants to protect itself. However, if you can provide proof that your dog is properly trained, you may be able to lower your premiums.

Poor Maintenance

If you do not repair a leaky roof, replace an old water heater or do other maintenance in your home, your insurance rates will likely go up. A house that is not properly maintained is more likely to experience damage. Spending the money to maintain your home can save you a lot of money on your home insurance rates.

If you still do not know why your home insurance premiums went up, make an appointment to talk to an insurance agent, such as those from Olympic Northwest Insurance, as soon as possible.