Home insurance is a significant household cost that every homeowner is interested in lowering. If you’ve recently received a high home insurance quote in Wichita, KS, there could be several unlikely things contributing to the problem. Keep reading to learn some surprising reasons why you’re home insurance may be costing you more than it should–and what you can do about it.
Plumbing Issues
Many homeowners don’t realize that the condition and age of their plumbing can directly affect a home insurance quote in Wichita, KS. Old or failing plumbing that could put your home at risk for water damage could make you a high-risk customer in the eyes of an insurance agent. Correcting plumbing issues or having old piping replaced could save you a substantial amount of money on your insurance costs.
Sub-Standard Security
If you live in an area that’s prone to crimes like theft or vandalism, you may want to beef up your home security. Homes in high-crime areas can be significantly higher to insure than homes in ares that receive only a handful of crime-related insurance claims. If you live in a high-risk neighborhood, you can lower rates by adding security features to your home. While a police-alerting alarm system will usually qualify you for the best discounts, the FCIC reports that simply adding dead-bolts to your doors can save you 5% on a home insurance quote in Wichita, KS.
Roofing Matters
Unless you live in a mild, temperate climate, the wrong roofing can lead to a higher home insurance quote in Wichita, KS. Severe storms, high winds and heavy snows can all cause budget roofing to deteriorate in quality and damage a home. Ideally, you should upgrade to impact and weather-resistant roofing with an extended warranty. This could lower your insurance rates by up to 20%.
Proximity to the Fire Station
Surprisingly, your home’s distance from the nearest fire station can impact your home insurance quote in Wichita, KS. While you can’t move your home to a more favorable location, you can make your home more fire-safe by investing in fire extinguishers, extra smoke detectors or a home sprinkler system. The discounts you’ll receive can help to bring your policy down to a more manageable price.
There are a number of surprising factors that can negatively affect the price of your home insurance premium. If you’re facing a too-expensive quote, the tips above can help you negotiate a better rate.
