Ohio home insurance premiums increased by an average of 22% from May 2022 to May 2023, and they are heading higher in 2024. Premium rates are soaring nearly everywhere in the country due to extreme weather events, rising home values and the increasing costs of home repairs and rebuilding.
Coverage has also been reduced in some cases, meaning that your policy may not provide the same level of protection it once did. It is essential for you to review your insurance policy and its renewals each year, so you are not taken by surprise if disaster strikes.
On the bright side, we have 7 tips to help reduce the cost of your Ohio homeowner’s insurance:
1. Shop around and compare policy costs, using the same deductible and coverage. You can streamline this process by going through an insurance agency that works with multiple companies. Ask about local and regional insurance companies; they can be cheaper than national companies that deal with coast-to-coast risks.
2. Bundle your homeowner’s insurance and car insurance policies with the same company.
3. Veterans and military service members should explore coverage through USAA.
4. Keep your credit score in good shape! Insurance companies take credit scores into account when calculating premium costs. Lower scores are seen as a higher risk.
5. Maintain your home in good condition. The age of your roof, for example, is noticed by insurance companies. They examine homes using satellite images, drones, and old-fashioned curbside snooping. If you have an older home, an insurance company may send a representative to your home to inspect the interior.
6. Equip your home with updated smoke detectors and safety features. You may be eligible for discounts for having security systems in place.
7. Drive safely. If you collect a speeding ticket or two, your bundled coverage will increase in cost. Insurance companies see speeding as risky behavior. The jump in your insurance premium could be worse than the ticket!
We hope you find these tips helpful! As Exclusive Buyer’s Brokers, we serve your best interests at all times! Unlike real estate agents and brokerages who represent sellers, as an Exclusive Buyer’s Broker, we only represent you, the buyer, getting you the best price and terms with no conflict of interest at all times.
Understanding this distinction could literally save you thousands of dollars not only on the purchase price and terms, but also on seller concessions and home inspection issues, whether you are a first-time homebuyer or an experienced homeowner!
Contact us with your home buying questions! Remember, we are with you every step of the way…all the way home!
Andrew ShowExclusive Buyer’s Broker, CEBA-M, MCNE, CSP, PSA,e-PRO, CREM, ABRM, AHWD
Buyer’s Resource Realty Services www.BuyersHome.com
Serving Metro Columbus, Ohio with Exclusive Buyer’s Agents
7100 North High Street, Suite 204, Worthington, Ohio 43085
614-888-4110 | 888-888-4110 Toll Free | 614-839-4110 Fax
