Homeowner Insurance Quotes

What do you like the most about your home - the bright, sun-filled kitchen, the shiny wood floors or the comfortable bedrooms?

Or is it the fact that your home probably makes up maybe the biggest part of your total net worth?

Either way, you have to protect what you have, using homeowner insurance. Here are several ways to save on homeowner insurance quotes:

Shop around. While many homeowners believe that all insurance companies charge the same, that's an expensive mistake. Use a service to compare rate quotes from different insurance companies online using the online quote form.
Don't just call an agent and expect him to do the shopping for you because agents don't represent all companies and might not get you the best deal.

Insure for "replacement cost" rather than "actual cash value." After all, if your belongings are destroyed, do you want the insurance company to send you enough to buy a new couch - or do you want a cheque for the actual value of your 11-year-old couch?

Make sure you are covered for at least 80 percent of the cost of replacing your home. If you're not, it could hurt you even if your home does not need to be completely replaced. Of course, knowing how much it would cost to replace your home is not always easy. For example, I know how much I paid for my home, and how much I could probably sell it for, but I don't have a clue how much it would cost to rebuild if it burned down.

Think twice before calling your insurance company with small claims for minor home damage. There have been reports of homeowners facing much higher premiums after putting in only two claims. So if it's a loss you can handle, take care of it yourself.

Make sure your home insurance policy includes enough liability insurance, in case someone is injured on your property.

Consider buying your home and auto insurance policies from the same insurer. Some companies will take a percentage off your premium if you buy two or more policies from them.

You can get discounts if you install smoke detectors, deadbolt locks or burglar alarms.

Keep your credit history clean. Insurance companies are increasingly checking credit reports to set their rates.