3 Quick Ways to a Safer Home and Cheaper Home Insurance
A home in Louisiana damaged by Hurricane Katrina (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Home insurance is a necessity. If you care to protect your valuables and expensive belongings from theft or a weather catastrophe such as a flood or fire, then acquiring home insurance is the smartest thing you can do. However, just because its “smart” doesn’t mean it’s necessarily cheap. If your home insurance quote has you feeling down because you’ll now have to reduce your food and shopping budget even further to afford it, there might be some quick ways you can earn some discounts.
Insurance agents won’t voluntarily tell you about these discounts, but if you call and specifically ask you will lean that by installing certain security devices around the house you can slash the price up to 20 percent. To learn which devices (aside from a fire alarm) can earn you a discount as well as protect your family, continue reading below.
Carbon Monoxide Detector/Alarm
Carbon monoxide is the silent killer—gas is colorless, odorless, and tasteless but it’s highly toxic to both humans and animals if inhaled in high concentrations. In fact, it can kill you before you even realize you’ve been poisoned. It occurs whenever there is not enough oxygen to produce carb dioxide which can happen when using your stove. A carbon monoxide detector can alert your family at the slightest hint of the poisonous gas. And since detectors are relatively cheap—some as low as $17— there really shouldn’t be an excuse why your home doesn’t have one.
Deadbolt Locks
Installing some deadbolt locks to your front and back doors can help secure the safety of your home and potentially prevent break-ins. What’s so great about installing deadbolt locks is that they’re a more economical approach if you don’t have the funds to spend on a sophisticated security alarm system or security camera. Deadbolt locks can be purchased at your local home improvement store and can be self-installed rather easily.
Fire Extinguisher
Purchasing a traditional fire extinguisher, which typically retails for about $30 to $50 at your local home improvement store, is also an excellent way for you to save on your home insurance. Plus, it can help your home from catching fire if you extinguish a small kitchen fire in enough time. Store the extinguisher some place safe but also make sure it’s accessible. Also teach your entire family how to use it.
Of course these aren’t the only devices that can help grant you a discount(s). Call your agent to see what your options are. You may learn that you already have certain features that can give you additional discounts.
Tracy Myers is a contributor to homeinsurance.org, a website that helps homeowners find the best quotes for insurance. She welcomes your comments.
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