There are some things about homeowners' insurance that are fairly easy to comprehend, so much so that you won't need a tip to tell you how to do it. Other things, though, are a bit more complicated, or maybe you just overlooked them. That's why you need to read these tips to find out what you may be missing.

Most people know the need for homeowner's insurance but very few are aware of the need for for unocuppied property insurance if they are going to be away from their home for more than 30 days.  They are not aware that most homeowner insurance polices will not cover the home if you do not occupy it during a 30 day period.  So they go for an extended vacation or leave their home for sale when they move to another location, thinking their homeowner insurance will cover any damage to the home while they do not live there. You must convert your homeowner's insurance policy to an unoccupied property insurance policy if you are going to be gone for more than 30 days at a time.

If you have fire insurance and a fire occurs in your home, damage to your landscaping is usually covered. Many people do not know this and end up having to pay their landscape damages themselves. However, most insurance companies will not pay more than 500 dollars per tree or shrub.

Take your ex spouse's name off your unocuppied property insurance policy if you have recently gotten divorced. The names on the policy are those checks are written to in the event of a claim, so making sure the named insured on the policy is correct can save you time and hassle down the road.

Don't wait to find homeowners insurance. If your offer for a new home has been accepted, it's time to start your comparison shopping. You will need to have this figured out and in place before the close of escrow. Make sure that you get accurate quotes from several companies before you make your choice.

Insurance companies aren't in the business of giving you a call when they think they can save you money. That isn't good business practice! It's up to you to call your unocuppied property insurance provider and let them know of any changes in your life that could get you a discount on your premiums.

Check with local agencies for renter's coverage. Online and out of state companies generally have a one size fits all type policy structure. A local agent will be more familiar with the risks in your area and will be available to send someone out quickly to start working on your claim after a disaster.

When you sign a new unocuppied property insurance policy, be sure you get all the discounts available. Alarm systems that report to a central station can get you up to a 10% discount. Those over 50 can also be eligible for a discount. One of the most common discounts available is a multi-policy discount. This will help to lower the cost of both your auto and home insurance policies.

Although it may require a lot of effort, go down to the local library and research flood plains in your area. If you are designated in a flood plain, but can prove that your house did not flood in the last event, you may be able to change your designation and save hundreds of dollars a year.

If you are shopping for a new unocuppied property insurance, policy you should look for user friendly companies. Try to find a company that will process your claims without a hassle. There are reports available (through Consumer Reports and other organizations) that provide feedback on how happy customers are with their unocuppied property insurance provider.

When you are looking into unocuppied property insurance there are things that you can do to help with the costs of your premium. One of the things that you can choose to do is to make your deductible higher. It will lower your premium but you should keep in mind that smaller things such as a broken window may have to be paid out of pocket by you.

It is an interesting fact that homeowners, who are able to pay off their mortgage, usually see a significant decrease in the cost of their unocuppied property insurance. Insurance companies believe that once you own the home out right, then you are likely to take even better care of it!

You must have smoke alarms in your home. Detectors are usually preinstalled in newer homes. If your home doesn't come with them install one in each room. Besides the fact they can save your life in case of a fire, you will pay hundreds of dollars less yearly on your home owner's insurance premium.


If you have home insurance and also have a dog, make sure that you look for policy options that cover people who may be attacked by your dog. It's a strange and backwards world sometimes, but an intruder can actually sue you if your dog attacks him. Yeah, it's crazy, but that's why they have these coverage options.

Another thing in terms of construction that a home owner should be aware of in terms of their policy is the insurance costs connected with the building of a pool. Things like trampolines and pools can raise annual costs around 10% or more because they can be considered injurious. Though it may appear a small price, it is still something that you should consider prior to buying or constructing.

When looking into purchasing unocuppied property insurance, make sure that you understand the claims process. There can be two policies that can promise the same coverage, but they can differ when it comes to taking care of you after a loss. Have your agent explain how the claims are to be handled, especially when it comes to giving you a check. You need to know if you will receive all of your claim upfront or only a fraction. You also need to know if they will reimburse you for everything that is lost, or only what you replace.

If you have roommates, double check your policy to see what is exactly is covered in the event of a disaster. Some polices cover everything in a premises and others only cover your possessions. Confirm what is covered or you may end up cutting your roommate a check after a disaster.

Understanding the ins and outs of unocuppied property insurance will help you to save big money when purchasing a policy. The knowledge will also help to ensure that you're not sacrificing coverage in areas you may desperately need it. Follow the tips you read here about unocuppied property insurance and you can stay protected at all times.