New homeowners are so engrossed in the idea of moving into their new house that they never take a moment to consider the insurance they need to protect it.
If your new home has a mortgage you are legally obligated to insure it.
Even if you own it outright there really is no excuse for not having homeowner's insurance.
In the state of Virginia every homeowner's insurance policy that is sold must meet minimum requirements.
Most homeowners want more protect than the minimum allows though and for them they are in search of that at an affordable price.
It may seem difficult to find a good policy at a decent rate but it's certainly doable as long as you know what you are looking for and what insurance companies are looking for in clients.
It may surprise some homeowners to learn that their credit rating can actually impact their homeowner's insurance rates.
Therefore it's really a good idea to try and pay all bills promptly and to watch the amount of debt that is incurred.
Another factor that plays an important role in the final cost of homeowner's insurance is the neighborhood.
Some areas of cities are more riddled with crime which puts the home at more of a risk for vandalism and robbery.
Although there's little a homeowner can do to change that once they've committed to purchasing the home, they can take extra precautions such as installing outdoor motion lights and deadbolts on the doors.
A little known discount that many homeowners are eligible for and never realize is living close to a fire hydrant.
This is considered a safeguard to many homeowners insurance companies and as such, if it applies, the homeowner should mention it when getting quotes.
It really does pay to take advantage of every discount you are eligible for when looking for homeowner's insurance.
It does help when it comes to finding the most affordable rates possible.