How To Save on Homeowners Insurance

Most U.S. homeowners (71%) report that their home insurance premiums have been rising over the past few years, according to a 2026 Pew Research survey. And nearly half of American homeowners were surprised by the high cost of home insurance, according to a 2026 Credible survey. 

Fortunately, there are several ways to offset rising costs and lower your homeowners insurance premium. While some of our tips require you to plan ahead or invest, such as installing a security system or getting a new roof, others are no-brainers. "A lot of times, getting savings can be as easy as getting a policy with a higher deductible or getting your home, auto, and other personal lines from the same company," says Erica Ostrander, vice president of markets and franchise success at We Insure.

Apply the following tips to lower your home insurance premium or get better coverage.

1. Shop around

Homeowners insurance premiums vary from one company to the next, even for similar coverage, so the best way to find the cheapest homeowners insurance is to compare quotes from multiple insurers. If you’re a prospective homebuyer, start shopping for home insurance even before you put in an offer on a property. 

"The single best thing a buyer can do to save money on insurance is to request a quote on the specific property they're considering before purchasing it, since insurance costs can be extremely volatile, especially in high-risk areas," says Muhajid Merchant, independent researcher in climate risk and mortgage credit. "Depending on location, insurance can be prohibitively expensive and sometimes completely unavailable in some markets."

It’s also wise to compare home insurance quotes annually near your renewal date, or after you’ve made home improvements or bought new belongings that might affect your coverage needs. "Be aware that every time you change insurers, your home is likely to be re-inspected, so be ready for that," says Anthony Verreos, president of Verreos Insurance Agency. "And do not cancel what you have until you are sure everything is ok with the [policy] replacing it."

2. Bundle your insurance

Many insurance companies offer a discount for bundling your home insurance with other policies, such as your auto insurance or life insurance. If you’re happy with your existing car insurance provider, that’s a good place to start when collecting quotes. Just don’t assume the bundled price is the best price — compare the total cost with the multi-policy discount against the lowest price you could get if you bought a separate home insurance policy elsewhere. 

3. Choose the right policy limits

It’s important to accurately calculate the replacement cost of your home so you choose the right dwelling coverage limits. The cost to rebuild after a disaster is different from the market value of your home, which includes the land it sits on. Consider your home’s building materials, square footage, local contractor rates, and any custom or high-end fixtures.

Make sure to also account for rising construction costs, as the risk of buying insufficient coverage can be financially devastating. "Home insurance is meant to fully repair or replace your house from a covered loss," says Verreos. "The worst insurance you can buy is the one that isn't set up right to pay you in full in your time of greatest need."

Similarly, be as accurate as possible when calculating the value of your personal belongings. Conducting a home inventory can make it easier to choose the appropriate coverage limits and help ensure a smooth claims process if disaster strikes. The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) offers a mobile app to help you inventory your personal belongings. 

4. Check your eligibility for group savings

See if your employer, professional, alumni, or other membership association offers group coverage, which often comes at a lower premium, or a membership discount. Check the offer against home insurance quotes for individual coverage, and make sure the group insurance or discounted plan offers the coverage you need before choosing it. 

5. Invest in security systems

"Installing a home security system and smoke detectors is one of the cheapest and quickest upgrades that can lead to a discount on your homeowners insurance," says Ostrander. "Homeowners can also get discounts by having an active and professionally monitored alarm system. The alarm company will provide a certificate to show your insurer as proof."

Check with your home insurance company before you buy new equipment since not every system may qualify for a discount. 

6. Remain claims-free

Some home insurance companies offer a claims-free discount. Depending on your home insurance company and state law, your claims history may also be a home insurance cost factor — avoiding claims helps keep home insurance costs manageable.

Of course, you’ll need to file a claim if you’re faced with an unaffordable and necessary home repair. But weigh the cost of covering it yourself with the potential cost to use your insurance. As a general rule of thumb, don’t file a claim for anything that will cost less than your deductible to fix. 

Also, take steps to prevent common home emergencies. For example, clean gutters regularly, test smoke alarms, and shut off the main water valve when you’re away for extended periods. For more tips on proper home maintenance, consult the Freddie Mac homeowners maintenance guide and checklist.

7. Ask about age-based discounts

Some home insurance companies offer specific discounts for people aged 50+ and retirees. The Hartford also offers exclusive home insurance discounts for AARP members. Check with your insurance agent, home insurance provider, and membership organizations to see if you’re eligible for age-based savings. 

8. Fortify your home against disasters

Upgrades that make your home disaster-resistant, like a new roof or siding, can expand your coverage options and earn you a policy discount with some providers. 

In areas at risk of wildfires, "Class A roofing, ember-resistant vents, non-combustible siding and defensible space are all items reviewed by insurers and modeled in catastrophe modeling software," says Merchant. "California has explicit requirements for wildfire mitigation in order to receive discounts. A few other states are moving in the same direction." Hurricane straps, storm shutters, and shatterproof glass can reduce your premium in hurricane-prone areas, and you can take steps to make older homes more resilient against earthquakes. 

Ask your insurance agent about discount opportunities specific to your region. "Insurance is like a puzzle and you can find savings unique to where you live," says Ostrander. "For example, if you live in Florida, you can request a wind mitigation inspection that will show your insurer that your house, and especially your roof, can better withstand the winds that come with hurricanes."

Some home improvements could even make the difference between being eligible for coverage and receiving denials from private insurers. "A hardened structure is more likely to maintain eligibility in the private market versus being forced into an insurer of last resort," says Merchant. (A hardened structure is one that’s been upgraded to resist severe weather.) State-sponsored Fair Access to Insurance Requirements (FAIR) plans, which are available to homeowners who can’t get coverage elsewhere, may only provide limited coverage and can be very expensive. 

9. Raise your deductible

Home insurance companies typically allow you to choose your deductible, which is the amount you pay out of pocket for a covered claim before your insurance kicks in. Most home insurance companies set a minimum deductible of $500 or $1,000. Increasing your deductible can be a good way to save money on premiums, as long as you can afford to cover the deductible from your savings. 

10. Take advantage of payment discounts

Many homeowners insurance companies offer policy discounts unrelated to your coverage or home features. For example, you can often save by:

• Getting a quote in advance of buying your policy
• Paying bills on-time
• Paying premiums annually instead of monthly
• Setting up automatic payments
• Enrolling in paperless billing

11. Consider ACV over RCV coverage

The standard for dwelling coverage is based on your home’s replacement cost value (RCV), and for good reason. If catastrophe strikes and you need to rebuild or cover major repairs, you may need the coverage to afford it. However, you could opt to cover your roof on an actual cash value (ACV) basis, meaning it’s insured based on its depreciated value instead of the cost to replace it. 

The practical impact is two-fold. In the case of roof damage, you’d need to cover the difference between your roof's estimated worth and the cost to replace it (plus the deductible). But by choosing ACV coverage, you could reduce your home insurance premiums. Be aware that this puts more of the insurance risk on you. If you don’t have the cash to cover that difference, you might need to finance roof repairs, which could be a years-long commitment.