Your kids grew up there. You have had a lot of pets there. Perhaps you’ve lived in it your whole life. So, how does that affect you? Your house, of course. A home holds the key to your entire life, which is why you should protect it with a good home owner’s insurance policy. This article will help you find the best insurance policy for your needs.

Make any insurance company aware of your home security system when contacting them for quotes. You can reduce your premium each month by up to five percent if your security system is connected to a security service should you be burglarized or have fire.

Make sure that you fully understand your insurance policy. Many, but not all, policies cover any costs you incur if you need to stay elsewhere while your home is repaired. But, you must retain all documentation of such expenses if you are to receive reimbursement.

Inventory your home to ensure your claims go through when necessary. Those who have been through a loss can tell you how difficult it can be to remember the contents of a house when you’re in crisis. Take pictures and video of everything in your home.

Sometimes, it doesn’t matter how well your home is maintained; certain features will affect the cost of your homeowner’s insurance. For example, a swimming pool will increase your insurance cost due to the increased liability. Distance to and from emergency services, like hydrants, is going to affect your premium as well. This is not discussed in order to suggest you pick a home near one of these services but to point out how some factors are included in calculating costs.

Do not neglect flood insurance. Flooding is not typically covered by homeowner’s insurance, and due to recent events, it is clear that floods can happen in areas you don’t expect. Losing your house to a flood is very upsetting, so be sure your policy can cover the damages if it happens.

If you are going to remodel, consider how it will affect your insurance rates. Room extensions will increase your insurance by different amounts, depending on what building materials are used. Wood will typically range higher in cost than other materials in your home.

Insurance Company

Make sure you keep documentation that provides for what you own and other necessary information in a safe place that you can retrieve in the event you need to make a homeowner’s insurance claim. All insurance companies require some form of documentation that must be provided with your claim. Having a proper inventory will make the claims process easier for you and your insurance company. Whether you choose to store your documentation about your possessions for your homeowner’s insurance company online or in some tangible form such as in a box, take steps to make sure that your information is safe in the event you need to make a claim.

When you have insurance, you’ll be safe when anything bad occurs. Don’t risk having a home without insurance for it. Use what you’ve learned to help you make better decisions regarding the process.