Home protection devices and certain types of home construction help you feel safe and secure in your home and prevent the stress and headache of a homeowner’s claim. But did you know they could also help you save money on your homeowner’s insurance? That’s because many home protection devices and certain home construction types qualify for a premium discount.
Let’s review some of your home protection device options.
Common protective devices include home alarm systems that range from local burglar and/or fire alarms to hard wired smoke detectors. Another type of security alarm system is a central station reporting burglar/fire alarm system monitored by an outside company that specializes in home security and protection.
Home monitoring systems are becoming more popular. Very often, you can purchase and install this technology yourself. Then monitoring things at home can be as simple as downloading an app on your phone that’s connected to the monitoring system you installed. One type of popular system is a doorbell with a camera that alerts you when someone’s at the door. Others can monitor the performance of key systems in your home, like your furnace/air conditioner, electric devices, and water. These monitoring systems can alert you if something isn’t working and/or allow you to control the system remotely via your smartphone or another electronic device.
Do you have a home generator? Whether it’s portable or an automatic whole home generator, some insurance carriers will provide a discount on the homeowner’s policy since it can help to avoid a costly claim.
Now let’s review types of home construction that can also help eliminate or minimize damage to your home. Some building materials and construction methods include roofs that have impact resistant shingles, such as UL 2218 class 4 or FM 4473 class 4 shingles, or steel roofs and siding made with cellulose fiber-cement, including Hardie-Plank or LP Smart Siding and Trim.
Another home loss prevention construction type is a formed concrete home. With this type of construction, all the above grade exterior walls are made of solid formed (poured) concrete. The interior wall finishing for all exterior walls is attached directly to the formed concrete walls; no wood framing is involved. These construction methods can give you added safety and security from potential loss and may qualify you for additional discounts on your homeowner’s premium.
Being proactive with home protection and building methods are great ways to protect you and your home.
If you have one or more of these protection/ loss prevention devices or building construction types, be sure to contact your agent to see if you’re eligible for a discount.
Do you have any tips or information you’d like to share? I’d love to hear from you. Please share them in the box below.
This blog was written by Kim Bechler, senior personal lines underwriter.
