Top 10 Tips to Find the Best Deals on Home Insurance in Orange County, CA

Author: Ranjeet Rai

Whether it’s your first time shopping for home insurance in Orange County or you’ve had the same insurance company for several years now, it pays to look around and find ways to lower your premiums. Here are some tips to land the best deal on your home insurance.

Tip #1: Compare Insurance Quotes

Say, you’re looking for home insurance in Stanton. Instead of just searching for insurance companies in your town, take a look at insurance firms from nearby cities like Anaheim, Long Beach, Santa Ana, Los Angeles, Glendale, and others. This gives you an idea of the costs in the area and also helps you nab the cheapest rates out there.

Tip #2: Review your Policy

Most people take a homeowner’s insurance and forget it all about it for years. They keep on paying the same rates year after year. Experts recommend that you review the policy at least once a year. Several changes occur in your life during the course of a year. You could get married, undertake a major home renovation, and so on. So, it pays to review your policy regularly to ensure that you’re getting adequate coverage.

Tip #3: Try Increasing your Deductibles

The deductible is the amount you pay from your pocket before your insurance comes into effect. The rule of thumb here is that – the higher the deductible, the lower is your insurance premium. The reverse is also true.

However, remember not to choose a too high deductible, so that it becomes difficult to pay for it. Even raising your deductibles by $1000 can reduce your home insurance costs by as much as 25%.

Tip #4: Limit your Claims

When you make claims often, it increases your risk value in the eyes of your insurance company. Thereby, you’re likely to have higher premiums. So, before you submit a claim, make sure to evaluate both long-term and short-term implications.

Tip #5: Disaster-proof your House

If you live in and around areas prone to natural disasters like hurricanes, earthquakes, thunderstorms and even wildfires, an insurance is recommended. For instance, homeowners in Fullerton, a city in Orange County, CA prone to earthquakes, can purchase home insurance in Fullerton and add earthquake proofing to their houses.

Tip #6: Improve your Home’s Security

By updating your home’s security, you can reduce your insurance premiums by 5-20%. A home security system not only keeps your loved ones safe from thefts and burglar but is important in reducing your home insurance burdens.

Tip #7: Be Prudent when adding Fun Add-Ons to your Home

A pool, hot-tub, trampolines and other fun features you add to your home, play a huge role in determining your home insurance rates. This is because insurance companies consider these features as a potential safety hazard. So, before you add any of these to your home, consider the impact on your home insurance rates.

Tip #8: Remove Old Structures from your Property

Old structures are not only unsightly but also have a high risk of collapsing. So, if you have an old unused barn, gazebo or a shed, tear it down to reduce your liabilities and insurance premiums.

Tip #9: Be a Loyal Customer

By bundling all your insurance policies like – auto, life, and home insurance with the same company, you’re likely to get better discounts. Some companies even offer up to 10-15% reduction in costs for customers who remain with the same company for several years.

Tip #10: Improve a Good Credit Score

A high credit rating goes a long way in determining your home insurance rates. If your credit score is poor, look for ways to improve it and then apply for coverage or check with your insurance agent to see whether you qualify for discounts.

Now, that you’re aware of the best ways to improve your insurance rates, utilize these tips to bag the best deals out there.