What Affects Your Home Insurance Rates?

Posted on 6 March, 2020

Homeowners insurance is a much-needed piece of coverage that is designed to bring a home and the things inside it back to their original condition before a loss has occurred. There are many different types of homeowners insurance policies that are offered and as a result, not all programs provide the same coverage. That being said, it’s important for homeowners to review all of their options and coverages so the best program is chosen. After a homeowners insurance policy is chosen, it’s important to understand that home insurance rate factors can be affected by a number of different factors and changing variables over time. Knowing how to avoid these pitfalls can help to keep a steady rate over time.

Here’s an idea of some of the items that can affect your homeowners insurance rate.

Fire

Even if you live close to a fire station that can get to your house when a fire breaks out, it can still cause your rates to go up if you have a number of fire hazards present. Do what you can to get rid of these items, such as faulty wiring, barbecues, and flammable liquids.

Claims

For current homeowners insurance policies, the frequency of claims made will turn into higher rates. It’s important to evaluate every claim before submitting it. Homeowners should ask themselves if a claim is worth taking on a rate hike in their premium in the next year.

Dog Bites

Dog owners may face limited coverage if their pet’s breed is considered to be aggressive. More than 50 percent of dog bites happen on the owner’s property and account for nearly one-third of all homeowners insurance policy liability claims.

Condition and Age of Home

It’s safe to say that most homeowners probably don’t know the exact materials that were used when their home was built. But most homeowners should at least know the age of their home. Based on the age of the home and what was made to build it, homeowners can see varied rates. If someone owns a brick home, they can see a lower insurance premium than would a house made from mostly wood or other materials that are deemed flammable.

Credit Score

A homeowners insurance company can’t refuse someone coverage due to a low credit score on its own. But it can apply a higher rate for low credit scores as this may indicate a riskier client, or offer a discount to someone with a better credit history.

About Byrnes Agency

At Byrnes Agency, we offer insurance solutions that can be tailored to meet your specific needs. Whether you’re looking for personal policies or commercial coverage, we have the right coverage for you. To learn more about our products, contact us today at one of our two locations.

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Dayville Office

Phone: (860) 774-8549

394 Lake Rd

Dayville, CT 06241

United States

info@byrnesagency.com

Hours of Operation: Monday- Friday 9:00am-5:00pm

Norwich Office

Phone: (860) 886-5498

6 Consumers Avenue

Norwich, CT 06360