Yes, you can. You can find home insurance online and get a good deal on it. It shouldn’t be too much of a surprise, given that almost everything else is available for sale on the internet today.
The process is pretty much like what you’d use to find a couch, drapes, or landscaping services online. In other words, start with a search engine query. Try something like “cheap home insurance (city).”
Many homeowners insurance websites will let you receive a quote online once you’ve answered a few simple questions. At some point, you’ll probably want to talk with an insurance agent to get the details. But you can certainly at least start the process by only “talking” to your computer and never need to chat with a human soul if the information you find online serves all your needs.
Here are a few good tips for getting the most out of your search for home insurance online.
Compare Rates on Cheap Home Insurance Policies
At heart, homeowners insurance is just like any other bigger ticket purchase made online. You wouldn’t buy a bedroom suite on the internet without first comparing features, product quality, style, and price. It should be the same with your home insurance.
Not all home insurance policies are the same. Not even close. And the cost can be all over the board. Considering how much you’ll spend for your new digs, your homeowners policy will be a small fraction of that, so cost might not seem all that important at the moment. Just remember, you might be paying on that policy for many years, if not decades. It adds up.
Make Improvements That Make Your Home Cheaper to Insure
The sort of improvements you make might vary depending on your policy and where you live. So your starting point is to ask an agent what you can do to bring down your cost of coverage.
If weather is a threat, that could mean adding storm shutters or stronger roofing. In high-crime areas, installing security alarms and cameras might bring your coverage rates down. Start by asking.
But be careful. DIY mistakes can actually impact your homeowners insurance and cost you more in the long run.
Consider a Higher Home Insurance Deductible
The more financial risk you assume, the more you save. Your deductible is the amount that you agree to pay for a covered loss before your insurer takes responsibility for the rest. How much can you afford to pay out of pocket for damage to your home?
A deductible of $1,000 instead of $500 can save you as much as 25% on coverage. That’s a lot of savings. Can you go even higher? Ask your insurance agent or online rate finder to compare rates at various realistic deductible levels. What’s important is to not go so high on your deductible that you can’t afford your part of the cost if you sustain major damage.
Bundle Your Auto and Home Insurance Policies
Who handles your car insurance? If you’ve been with an auto insurer for a while and that company also offers home insurance coverage, you might find a better deal than you can get elsewhere.
So, checking with your auto insurance provider is a good place to start your online shopping trip. After all, from your insurer’s point of view, you’ve already proven to be a good customer. It’s likely that they’d like to keep that relationship going if they can.
Ask Your Insurance Agent!
This is where an actual human being can come in handy, especially if you’re dealing with an independent insurance agent. That’s one who represents multiple leading homeowners insurance companies, not just one.
There are all kinds of discount programs that aren’t necessarily obvious, but your independent agent will know about them. Just make it a point to ask about additional ways to save even more on your cheap home insurance policy.
Start by Getting a Home Insurance Quote Online Today
At Freeway Insurance, we can get you a homeowners insurance quote online in minutes. But if you still have questions or would like to discuss cheap home insurance details with an independent agent, just call us at (800) 777-5620. Or, find the Freeway Insurance office near you to schedule an appointment with an agent.
