The next time the annual renewal for your home owner’s insurance comes, READ the documents that come with it – there may be ways to substantially reduce your premiums. And, if you already threw all those extra pages in the shredder when you got your recent notice, a call to your agent may really save you some cash!
Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide numerous credits that you may qualify for based upon your home’s age and condition. As an example, you may be entitled to a substantial premium discount if your roof has wind mitigation straps (or hurricane clips). Plainly put, the straps “tie” your roof to your house’s exterior walls and may help avoid structural failure of them during a high wind event. Other qualifying features include a newer roof, shutter protection, having a HIP roof and nailing.
In 2006, Florida became the first state to mandate that homeowners be entitled to certain discounts on the wind portion of their property insurance. To qualify, The Florida Office of Insurance Regulation requires homes be inspected by a qualified inspector who prepares a report detailing which, if any, credits are in place. Basically, the more you have, the more you save.
To see if your home qualifies, Buy Your Side will 1) conduct an evaluation to determine the wind-mitigating features of your home; 2) offer suggestions for improvements and repairs you can make to strengthen it against high winds; and 3) submit the state-standard inspection report to your insurance carrier.
Your insurance company considers this report a measure of your home’s ability to withstand storm damage. While there is no standard discount, a 30% decrease is fairly typical. Is saves the average home owner anywhere from a few hundred dollars to over $1000 EVERY YEAR on their insurance premiums.
Buy Your Side Home Inspections believes this money is better in your pocket than in your insurance company’s. If you do, too, give us a call: 407.780.0911
Follow Us!