Home Improvement Ideas That Can Reduce Your Home Insurance Premiums
Tips to Help Durham Residents Reduce Energy Bills and Home Insurance Rates
Residents of Durham Region are well-aware of the rising costs of homeownership; from property taxes to utility bills to the daily expenses of keeping their homes and properties appealing and in good repair, many local homeowners are noticing that their net income is being squeezed more and more each year.
Consequently, many of these homeowners have been/are looking for ways to trim their expenses in order to keep a little more of their hard-earned money in their pockets/bank accounts. Adjusting their thermostat by one degree, doing their laundry during off-peak hours, and switching to energy-efficient lights are just some of the lifestyle modifications that are being initiated by residents of Bowmanville, Pickering, and all points in-between.
While these are all viable changes from a cost-savings perspective, and should in turn be given due consideration, there are several other steps that homeowners can take to help reduce their monthly/annual expenses. Many of these actions require a minimal amount of time and effort to implement or complete, and those that involve some investment of money up-front will likely pay considerable long-term returns i.e. cost savings over time; of further importance, several can also help to lower annual home insurance premiums.
To assist Durham Region homeowners in this regard, the team from Petley-Hare Limited Insurance Brokers present the following suggestions to perhaps prompt some additional cost-saving measures in relation to energy conservation and home insurance rates:
- Upgrade furnace and air conditioner to high-efficiency models (to reduce energy use)
- Upgrade dated appliances to energy-efficient versions (washer, dryer, fridge, freezer)
- Insulate the hot water heater and all hot water pipes, plus heating-and-cooling ducts
- Replace older toilets with newer low-flow styles to save gallons of water use per year
- Install/replace weather-stripping/caulking around doors, windows, and exhaust pipes
- Ensure that the wiring and plumbing in the home is updated to new codes/standards
- Confirm the age of the hot water tank – if it is older than eight to 10 years, replace it
- Install a home alarm system and a fire-monitoring system for personal/family safety
- Ensure that the attic is properly insulated and ventilated; this will help to reduce heat loss, especially during the winter months, and can also extend the lifespan of the roof
Upgrading the wiring, plumbing, attic ventilation, etc. to all currently-accepted standards can play an important role in the event that homeowners need to make insurance claims or warranty-related claims; furthermore, in reference to the point made above about the possibility of reducing their home insurance premiums, it would be beneficial for Durham homeowners to strongly consider implementing Tips 6 through 9 above.
Helping You Get the Best Home Insurance Coverage at the Best Possible Rate
Sometimes, when a home insurance policy is due for renewal, the issuer will merely send out a notice to the homeowner confirming the premium for the year ahead. This is done as a matter of convenience and it implies that no changes are to be made to the policy; but it can also suppress an opportunity to look for potential savings within that coverage.
While simply rolling over a home insurance policy year-after-year may be convenient for many Durham residents, the policy might have been in place, unchanged, for quite some time. However, many aspects/features of the home may have changed since that policy was first issued, and the homeowner might not be aware that those modifications – such as a new roof and upgraded attic ventilation for example – could make them eligible for a reduced annual premium.
The knowledgeable insurance brokers from Petley-Hare Limited can help the residents of Pickering, Bowmanville, and surrounding area review their current home insurance policy to determine whether they have the most appropriate coverage/protection at the lowest possible rate. In turn, Petley-Hare Limited will collaborate with their clients to develop a tailored insurance solution that best suits their respective needs.
With three offices conveniently located across Durham Region, Petley-Hare Limited staff are immediately accessible to local residents and ready to offer the services their clients need to make sure they have the right home insurance in place. For further information on these home insurance services.
To ensure that you are getting the best possible home insurance coverage at the lowest possible rate, call the professional insurance brokers from Petley-Hare Limited today at 1-800-216-5324 to speak with one of our representatives or contact us to schedule a consultation at your convenience in our Oshawa, Pickering, or Bowmanville location.