Tips for getting homeowners insurance
15.09.2010 00:01
5 things you must know about homeowners insurance
Heavy rains caused mudslides in La Canada Flintridge, Calif., in early February.By Sarah Max, contributing writerSeptember 2, 2010: 3:14 PM ET(MONEY Magazine) -- 1. Loyalty is overrated
Many insurers have been raising rates to make up for losses they suffered during the financial crisis, industry experts say. At the same time, insurers are competing hard for new customers, which means some of them are cutting better deals for new policy holders than for existing ones, says Deeia Beck, executive director of the Office of Public Insurance Counsel, a state consumer agency in Texas.
When your annual renewal statement lands in your mailbox, check InsWeb.com and NetQuote.com to see if you can snag a better deal elsewhere. Consider moving your auto policy too; bundling home and auto coverage with the same insurer can cut your total premiums by 5% to 15%.
2. You may have too much coverage
It's common for policies to contain inflation-protection provisions that automatically increase your coverage amount. "In most years, that's a good thing," says Scott Richardson, director of the South Carolina Department of Insurance. Now that construction costs have fallen? Not so much.
For now, pass on inflation protection and adjust your coverage amount to a more realistic figure. Lowering replacement value from, say, $300,000 to $250,000 might shave 10% off your premium.
3. A bad rep can cost you
Just as lenders check your credit history before figuring out what rate to charge you, insurers tap into national databases such as the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange (CLUE) to see what claims you've filed in the past. Those records can be full of errors, warns Doug Heller, executive director of Consumer Watchdog, an insurance advocacy group.
Check your insurance report for mistakes at choicetrust.com; it's free if you've been denied coverage ($19.50 otherwise).
4. Small claims can cost you, too
Go with the highest deductible you can afford and bank the savings to cover the cost of minor repairs. Filing a claim for every broken window or leaky pipe can drive up your premiums by 10% to 15%, says Don Griffin, a vice president at Property Casualty Insurers Association of America. (Some experts say that even inquiring about making a claim can raise a red flag.)
Increasing your deductible from, say, $500 to $1,000 can lower your annual premium by as much as 25%, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
5. A home's history matters
In the market for a new house? It may seem unfair, but claims associated with the property before you buy it can result in your paying more than you would otherwise. "Certain locations [such as those vulnerable to flooding] may be more prone to claims," explains Kiran Rasaretnam, CFO of InsWeb.
To get info on past claims, ask for a copy of the seller's CLUE disclosure report (see No. 3). Yes, you're stuck with the history of the house you buy, but you can use what you find to negotiate a lower price with the seller.
#cnnfb_connect {background-color:#f5f5f5;width:auto;height:auto;padding:10px;clear:both;} Right NowBP's incoming CEO Robert Dudley told analysts that total damages from spill could be less than the money set aside for damages, says Citigroup. Congress returns to work. First up: Two measures aimed at boosting small businesses by pruning regulation and goosing loans. Can't find satisfaction through a company's 800 number? Try these tips for making your case online.
| 30 yr fixed mtg | 4.39% |
| 15 yr fixed mtg | 3.85% |
| 30 yr fixed jumbo mtg | 5.39% |
| 5/1 ARM | 3.42% |
| 5/1 jumbo ARM | 3.98% |
Find personalized rates:
Bankrate.com.
Begin by taking on affordable student loans, opening a credit card or adding yourself as an authorized user on your parent's card. Paul Otellini says the Obama administration's economic policies have not resulted in job growth or increased confidence. The first luxury, plug-in hybrid electric vehicle is close to production release early next year.
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