The maximum look before you leap applies in this case. Prospective homeowners should price in the cost of home insurance while shopping for houses. Factors such as the age of the home and the materials used in building, wiring and plumbing determine insurance costs determine its risk for fire, termites, rotting and other dangers. Houses made of wooden frames housing are more vulnerable than brick houses — and thus more expensive to insure. The area in which the house is located also plays a huge factor in determining insurance cost, as stated previously. 

Age is a number that counts for or against your home when applying for homeowners insurance. Older homes are more likely to be priced higher because of their structural wear and tear, which increases the risk of damage. Older homes are more likely to have issues with plumbing, wiring and general maintenance.

Before signing the dots, it is important you run some checks on your insurer. The financial strength of the insurance company is an important factor while shopping for a good home insurance policy. Financial strength is a sure way of evaluating if an insurer meets that standard and has the capacity to pay claims when the occasion arises. Another litmus test you can run on your insurer is assessing the feedback they get from their present clients. If you choose a home insurance company that’s known for making its customers happy, you would definitely feel more secure and confident dealing with them. Sites such as Consumer Reports  survey members about their experiences with homeowners insurance.

When buying houses, as much as possible try to avoid the ones that have dangerous attractions. Features such as swimming pools, tree houses, trampolines, skateboard and bike ramps, are viewed as high risk because of their potential of causing injury or death, which results in lawsuits against the owner. By avoiding them, you position yourself for cheaper home insurance rates.

Most homeowners tend to mistake the value of their homes for its insurance value. The market value of a home is based on its worth when selling or buying it. On the other hand, the insurance value of a home is the amount of coverage needed to rebuild the home if it’s destroyed by a catastrophe such as a tornado. The insurance value of a home could be more or less than your home’s real estate market value.

To get good offers, you can bundle your homeowner’s insurance with your other insurance policies. Having your insurance policies such as auto insurance or boat insurance drawn up by the same company is one of the best discounts you can grab, often between 5% to 25%. 

The key to getting a good deal on your homeowners’ insurance is tailoring your insurance to your own needs and looking for an insurance company that can cater to them. Everyone has unique needs, so what works for one person may probably not work for you.