To get homeowners insurance, all you have to do is find the website of a well-known insurance agent, enter your information, and sign up. Right?

Wrong. Well, that is one way to get insurance, but it’s not likely to be the most cost-effective method. It turns out that there are lots of homeowners insurance discounts out there if you know where to look.

We’ve done the legwork for you, so grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and prepare to save!

5 Easy Ways to Get Homeowners Insurance Discounts

First, if you’re a new homeowner, you’ll need to decide how to get insurance–should you go through an agent, or DIY it? There are pros and cons to both methods. And either way, you can probably shave some money off your premium with these tips.

1. Bundle Home Insurance with Your Auto Insurance

It makes a lot of sense to get your homeowners insurance from the same company that insures your car. You will only have one monthly bill to pay, you won’t have to shop around, and best of all, you’ll save money.

Typically, bundling insurance will save you anywhere from 5% to 25% on each policy. But keep an eye on your rates. Because this option is so convenient, insurers may hike rates up incrementally until you’re paying more than you would with separate policies.

2. Improve Safety and Security

The whole point of homeowners insurance is to protect your investment in the event of a natural disaster, burglary, or any other event that causes damage to your home and belongings. So it stands to reason that the safer your home is, the lower your premium.

Deadbolt locks on both doors and windows, a home security system, impact-resistant roofing, storm shutters, and up-to-date plumbing and electrical systems can all be worth a significant discount. However, do your research to make sure that the cost of installing these security and safety features won’t outweigh the insurance savings.

3. Raise Your Deductible

If you’ve got the money to do so, raising your insurance deductible–the threshold below which insurance won’t cover damages–can result in lower premiums.

This is a smart move because it will discourage you from making minor claims that wouldn’t meet the deductible. Insurers look favorably on homeowners who haven’t made claims, so your rates are therefore less likely to increase year over year.

4. Hunt Down Little-Known Discounts

You can get a break on your insurance costs if you’re married, a widow, a new homeowner, a member of a homeowner’s association, a veteran or active-duty service member–the list goes on and on.

Insurance companies also offer discounts for paying the yearly premium in full and making certain home improvements. Installing a carbon monoxide detector or having a Wind Mitigation Inspection performed, for example, can help lower your rates.

5. Improve Your Credit Score

How healthy is your credit score? Insurance companies take credit score into consideration when setting rates, so making the effort to boost yours can pay off when it comes to your premiums.

Wrapping Up

Finding homeowners insurance discounts can be pretty exhilarating, and it’s worth the extra time and effort. After all, when you’re a homeowner, every penny counts.

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