Well before you get handed the keys to your new home, you need to make sure that you have adequate insurance. A robust policy is going to be your first line of defense against a wide range of accidents, and it is a vital financial product that every homeowner should have.
Take a Look at Your Personal Possessions
A basic policy will most likely cover the structure of your home and most of its key systems, but you need to consider your personal possessions as well. The average policy probably won’t cover all of your private belongings unless you make a point of adding them. Some of the items that you might want to cover include clothing, electronics, and furniture. In addition to covering damage to those items, your insurance might also help you replace them if a burglary takes place.
Consider High-End Belongings
After you have added all of your everyday possessions to your policy, you should then consider any valuables or collectibles that are in your home. Your home insurance probably won’t cover those items unless you include a floater in your policy. Those add-ons are usually used to cover expensive jewelry, firearms, antiques, and other items that are worth quite a bit of money. A floater can also be added to the policy if you have particularly expensive tools or electronics.
Lower Your Premiums With Simple Upgrades
A robust insurance policy can get pricey, but there are some simple steps that you should be able to take to keep your premiums at a reasonable level. As a general rule, an insurance provider is going to reduce your premiums if your home remains safe and well-maintained. Before you sign on with an insurance provider, you should ask if they offer discounts for home security systems and other security measures.
Get Multiple Quotes
Another simple step that you can take to save some money is to get an insurance quote from multiple companies. While most of the leading insurance providers should have relatively similar rates, you could end up saving hundreds a year by shopping around. Some insurance providers also offer huge bonuses and other perks to first-time homeowners who sign on with them.
Once you have a good insurance policy, you might want to take a fresh look at it at least once every year or two. You should also look over your insurance policy if you ever carry out any major renovations that alter the value of your home.