| Almost every homeowner in Alabama has | | | | most claims are filed due to water damage caused by |
| homeowner's insurance and that's not just because | | | | a broken pipe or a faulty appliance connection. If your |
| mortgage lenders require such insurance - even the | | | | home is 10 years old or older ask your agent how |
| vast majority of homeowner's who own their homes | | | | much you could save each month if you made a |
| free and clear and are not required to buy any | | | | one-time investment in upgrading your plumbing and |
| insurance still insure their homes. | | | | wiring. See if the numbers add up for you. |
| The reason is obvious. For most people their home is | | | | Install the proper number of fire and smoke detectors |
| their most valuable and important asset and they want | | | | for the size and layout of your home. Change the |
| to do whatever they can to protect it. This is simply | | | | batteries in your detectors twice yearly to keep them |
| good sense. | | | | operating efficiently. Buy a kitchen-rated fire |
| Even so, nobody wants to pay any more than they | | | | extinguisher and keep it handy in your kitchen. |
| have to for their homeowner's insurance. Everyone | | | | A home security system that's monitored 24/7 can |
| wants to save money and get discount homeowner's | | | | save you 20% or even more on your homeowner's |
| insurance in Alabama - and why not? | | | | insurance, but talk to your agent before deciding on a |
| The good news is that there are several things you | | | | company to go with since not all systems qualify for |
| can do to lower the cost of your homeowner's | | | | the same reduction in your monthly premium. |
| insurance, and the more things you are able to do, the | | | | How much of a deduction can you afford to pay each |
| bigger your savings will be each month. | | | | time you make a claim? The larger your deduction the |
| Start with your credit. That's right. Your credit rating | | | | less your insurance will cost every month. |
| affects how much you pay each month for your | | | | When deciding how much insurance you need to |
| homeowner's insurance. The higher your credit rating, | | | | purchase, keep in mind that you need enough to rebuild |
| the lower your monthly homeowner's insurance bill. | | | | your house from the foundation up and you need |
| Next, cut all weeds and brush back away from all | | | | enough to replace all of your home's contents - but |
| structures on your property. This will reduce the fire | | | | don't make the rookie mistake of insuring for the value |
| risk. | | | | of the land that your house sits on. |
| Adding motion-sensitive floodlights and trimming bushes | | | | Now it's time to go online and find at least 3 websites |
| away from all windows will discourage burglaries, as | | | | that make it easy to compare the price of a |
| will making sure that every exterior door has a | | | | homeowner's policy between different insurance |
| deadbolt lock and that all windows have a working | | | | companies. Be sure that you enter the exact same |
| lock. | | | | information into the form on at least 3 different |
| Repair any cracked or broken cement walkways on | | | | comparison websites so that your comparisons will be |
| your property and make sure there are no potholes or | | | | valid and you can be sure of seeing the prices from |
| other booby traps that could cause visitors to your | | | | as many different insurance companies as possible. |
| property to trip or fall. Replace or repair all loose | | | | Now all that's left is for you to choose the lowest price |
| decking or porch floorboards and make sure all railings | | | | from a company that you trust to still be in business 30 |
| are good and solid. | | | | years from now and your job is done! You have now |
| Let your agent know about everything you've done. | | | | saved money and gotten the best discount on |
| Most people think the biggest claim that homeowner's | | | | homeowner's insurance in Alabama that you possibly |
| make against their insurance is for fire, but, in fact, | | | | can! |