Here are some suggestions on how to maintain your home to lower your homeowners insurance premiums:
- Shovel your sidewalks, entries and egressways. Also clear your roof of snow if possible.
- Shut off all outside faucets and sprinkler systems in the Fall.
- Have an annual check up on heating and furnace systems.
- Annual check all interior sinks, tubs, showers and toilets.
- Update all electrical wiring to at least circuit breakers.
- Repair or replace roof when necessary (every 20 to 30 years).
- Trim back all tree limbs overhanging roofs and sheds.
- Remove damaged or diseased trees and limbs prior to storms.
- Flush out water heaters in drainage hose annual which will extend its life and its heating element efficiency.
- Clean out gutters to prevent water seeping into basement or ice dam damage to ceilings and walls.
- Repair sidewalks, stairs, and secure or add railings.
- Every few years clean fireplace and furnace flues.
- Avoid space heaters.
- Remove clutter near furnace, electric heaters and baseboards.
- Don’t overload electrical circuits.
- No storage of combustibles or fuels in basement or garage.
- Consider safe deposit box usage for valuables.
- No smoking in bed.
- Central station alarms (burglar, fire, low temperature).
- Prior to purchasing your next dog, check with you agent to see if that breed may be on an insurance forbidden list.
- Swimming pools are okay, but diving boards and slides are problems.
- Don’t buy a trampoline. Insurance companies will probably cancel you if you do or if they find out about it. Trampolenes are severe injury concerns.
- Check operation of smoke detectors annual (at least).
- When you update your roof, plumbing, and fixtures, heating and electrical, call your agent as you may qualify for insurance company renovation credits.
- Place your home and auto insurance with the same carrier.
