How to lower your homeowners insurance
Homeowners insurance is a big annual bill, so trimming it can free up real money — without leaving your home underprotected.
Key takeaways
- Bundling home and auto is often the biggest discount.
- Insure the rebuild cost, not the market price (which includes land).
- Avoid small claims and re-shop every year or two.
Homeowners insurance protects your biggest asset, so you don't want to cut corners. But there are legitimate ways to lower the premium while keeping solid coverage.
Proven ways to save:
- Bundle home and auto with the same insurer for a multi-policy discount
- Raise your deductible if you have savings to cover it
- Improve your home's safety: smoke detectors, security systems, and updated wiring or roofing can earn discounts
- Ask for every discount (new-home, claims-free, loyalty, senior)
- Review your coverage so you insure the rebuild cost, not the land value
- Shop and compare quotes every year or two
A key point: insure your home for what it would cost to rebuild, not its market price (which includes land you don't need to insure). Over-insuring the structure wastes money; under-insuring leaves you exposed.
Also avoid filing small claims you could pay yourself — too many claims can raise your rate. Save insurance for the big losses, keep your deductible affordable, and re-shop periodically to make sure you're still getting a fair price.
What this is
Why it matters
What you can do next
Related FAQs
Common questions about this topic, answered simply.
Should I insure my home for its market value?
No — insure it for the cost to rebuild it, which excludes the value of your land. Market price often includes land and location, so insuring to that number means paying for coverage you don't need.
Does bundling home and auto really help?
Yes, it's often the single biggest discount available. Ask insurers for a combined home-and-auto quote and compare it to buying each separately — the multi-policy discount frequently wins.
Keep reading
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