Homeowners' insurance isn't a luxury, it's a necessity. In fact, most mortgage companies won't make a loan or finance a residential real estate transaction unless the buyer provides proof of coverage for the full or fair value of the property (most of the time this is the purchase price). In this article, we'll show you some simple actions you can take to make sure your homeowners' insurance is sufficient for your needs. (To learn more about insurance, see Understand Your Insurance Contract, Exploring Advanced Insurance Contract Fundamentals and Fifteen Insurance Policies You Don't Need.)

Homeowners' insurance can be very expensive. Those that live in high-risk areas such as close to major waterways, known earthquake fault lines or other high claims areas will pay the most for coverage. In fact, those in high-risk areas are often forced to pay annual premiums in the many thousands of dollars. But even homeowners in relatively sedate, suburban neighborhoods (with property values around the national average of $210,000) could pay between $500 and $1,000 a year for a basic policy.

In Pictures: 10 Insurance Tips For Homeowners

The good news is that although you can't (and shouldn't) avoid purchasing homeowners' insurance, there are ways to minimize the cost. (To find out more about homeownership, see A Tax Primer For Homeowners, Fix It And Flip It: The Value of Remodeling and Mortgages: How Much Can You Afford?)

Here are six ways to make sure you get the right coverage and consequent compensation for your home:

1) Maintain a Security System and Smoke Alarms: A burglar alarm that is monitored by a central station, or that is tied directly to a local police station, will help lower the homeowner's annual premiums, perhaps by 5% or more. In order to obtain the discount, the homeowner must typically provide proof of central monitoring in the form of a bill or a contract to the insurance company.

Smoke alarms are another biggie. While standard in most modern houses, installing them in older homes can save the homeowner 10% or more in annual premiums. Of course, even more importantly, in case of fire, they could save your life!

2) Raise Your Deductible: Like health insurance or car insurance, the higher the deductible the homeowner chooses, the lower the annual premiums. However, the problem with selecting a high deductible is that smaller claims/problems such as broken windows or damaged sheetrock from a leaky pipe, which typically will cost only a few hundred dollars to fix, will most likely be absorbed by the homeowner. (To read more about deductibles, see Shopping For Car Insurance, Fighting The High Costs Of Healthcare and Tax Deductions For Rental Property Owners.)

3) Look for Multiple Policy Discounts: Many insurance companies give a discount of 10% or more to their customers that maintain other insurance contracts under the same roof (such as auto or health insurance). Consider obtaining a quote for other types of insurance from the same company that provides your homeowners' insurance. You may end up saving on two annual policy premiums.

4) Plan Ahead for Construction: If the homeowner plans to build an addition to the home or another structure adjacent to the home, he or she should consider the materials that will be used. Typically, wood-framed structures (because they are highly flammable) will cost more to insure. Conversely, cement- or steel-framed structures will cost less because it is less likely to succumb to fire or adverse weather conditions.

Another thing that most homeowners should, but often don't, consider is the insurance costs associated with building a swimming pool. In fact, items such as pools and/or other potentially injurious devices (like trampolines) can drive annual homeowners' insurance costs up by 10% or more. This may seem like a small price to pay given the joy these items bring, but it is still something that should be considered by the homeowner prior to purchase or construction.

5) Pay Off Your Mortgage: Obviously this is easier said than done, but homeowners that pay off their mortgage debts will most likely see their premiums drop. Why? The simple reason is that the insurance company figures that if you own the home outright, you'll take better care of it.

6) Make Regular Policy Reviews and Comparisons: Investors should, at least once per year, compare the costs of other insurance policies to their own. In addition, they should review their existing policy and make note of any changes that might have occurred that could lower their premiums.

For example, perhaps the homeowner has disassembled the trampoline,  paid off the mortgage, installed a burglar alarm or installed a sophisticated sprinkler system inside his or her home. If this is the case, simply notifying the insurance company of the change(s) and providing proofs in the form of pictures and/or receipts could significantly lower insurance premiums.

Look for changes in the neighborhood that could reduce rates as well. For example, the installation of a fire hydrant within 100 feet of the home, or the erection of a fire substation within close proximity to the property may lower the homeowner's annual premiums.

Additional Items
The following are characteristics that all homeowners' insurance policies should carry:

  • Guaranteed Replacement Value Insurance: All homeowners should buy "guaranteed replacement value" homeowners insurance. This means that their home will be rebuilt in the event of a disaster - no matter what the cost. Of course, many of you may be thinking that this is what would happen anyway, right? Wrong. Because home values have increased substantially in recent years, it probably costs more to build a house than when you originally purchased your home and your insurance policy. The good news is that guaranteed replacement value policies will absorb the increased costs and provide the homeowner with a cushion if construction prices increase.
  • Endorsements: Legally speaking, an endorsement is an amendment to the basic homeowner's policy. Practically speaking, it is a way for homeowners to ensure that their high-priced possessions will be insured in the event of a disaster.For example, a woman wanting to insure her diamond engagement ring would obtain an endorsement to her homeowners' policy in order to prove not only that she owned the ring, but also its value. She would do this by obtaining a formal appraisal of the ring from a jeweler, and then sending the appraisal to the insurance carrier for special notation on the insurance contract. Formal endorsements such as these will help in the claims process and ensure that the homeowner gets the full dollar value of the item if it is lost, stolen or damaged in a disaster. Typical items that are endorsed in addition to jewelry include furs, antiques and collectibles.
Wrapping It All Up
To avoid any discrepancies and any delays in receiving your insurance money for your home, make sure you document everything. Photograph and videotape the entire contents of your home and the home itself. Then store these photos and videotapes in a fireproof box. In addition, consider storing a copy of the photos at a relative's house, and/or in a safety deposit box. Doing this will help homeowners compile an inventory of their possessions (which is what the insurance company will demand) after a disaster. It will also, by extension, dramatically shorten the length of the claims process if a disaster does occur.

Homeowners' insurance is a necessity. There are ways to save money, but there are also some features that homeowners shouldn't skimp on. Make sure you know the difference.

To learn more about buying a home, see Shopping For A Mortgage, Understanding The Mortgage Payment Structure, Understanding Your Mortgage and Paying Off Your Mortgage.