In a year that’s been rife with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms, premiums for homeowners insurance are on the rise. And forecasts are calling for a hurricane season that will be more active than usual. Insurers may try to boost rates by as much as 20% in areas where storms hit hardest.
Don’t look for a break because the value of your home has fallen. Premiums are tied to the cost of rebuilding a home -- not its current market value -- so skimping on coverage because your home’s value has shrunk could leave you underinsured. It doesn’t help that rebuilding costs have been increasing: As of late spring, the overall producer price index for construction materials was up 7.5% for the previous 12 months.
Some key moves could help you save on home insurance, says Michael Barry, spokesman for the Insurance Information Institute. One is to raise your deductible, provided you can pay more out of pocket if disaster strikes. You can save up to 25% by hiking a deductible from $500 to $1,000.
From just $107.88 $24.99 for Kiplinger Personal Finance
Become a smarter, better informed investor. Subscribe from just $107.88 $24.99, plus get up to 4 Special Issues
Sign up for Kiplinger’s Free Newsletters
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice on investing, taxes, retirement, personal finance and more - straight to your e-mail.
Profit and prosper with the best of expert advice - straight to your e-mail.
If your auto insurance and homeowners policy are with different companies, see how much you could save by having a single insurer. Get several quotes, but don’t buy based on price alone -- look for a solid reputation and a below-average complaint ratio (find complaint info at https://eapps.naic.org/cis).
Don’t be shy about asking for discounts. You may be able to save at least 5% if you have installed smoke detectors and security devices in your home, or you have recently updated your plumbing or electrical systems. Retirees may also be eligible for discounts.
-
Top Tech Gifts to Grab at Walmart Before ChristmasBig savings on Apple, Bose, HP, Vizio and more while there's still time to shop.
-
AI Appliances Aren’t Exciting Buyers…YetThe Kiplinger Letter Artificial intelligence is being embedded into all sorts of appliances. Now sellers need to get customers to care about AI-powered laundry.
-
Ask the Editor: IRAs, 401(k)s and RMDsAsk the Editor In this week's Ask the Editor Q&A, Joy Taylor answers questions on IRAs, 401(k)s and required minimum distributions
-
Amazon Resale: Where Amazon Prime Returns Become Your Online BargainsFeature Amazon Resale products may have some imperfections, but that often leads to wildly discounted prices.
-
Roth IRA Contribution Limits for 2026Roth IRAs Roth IRAs allow you to save for retirement with after-tax dollars while you're working, and then withdraw those contributions and earnings tax-free when you retire. Here's a look at 2026 limits and income-based phaseouts.
-
Four Tips for Renting Out Your Home on Airbnbreal estate Here's what you should know before listing your home on Airbnb.
-
Five Ways to a Cheap Last-Minute VacationTravel It is possible to pull off a cheap last-minute vacation. Here are some tips to make it happen.
-
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need?insurance When assessing how much life insurance you need, take a systematic approach instead of relying on rules of thumb.
-
When Does Amazon Prime Day End in October? Everything We Know, Plus the Best Deals on Samsonite, Samsung and MoreAmazon Prime The Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale ends soon. Here are the key details you need to know, plus some of our favorite deals members can shop before it's over.
-
How to Shop for Life Insurance in 3 Easy Stepsinsurance Shopping for life insurance? You may be able to estimate how much you need online, but that's just the start of your search.
-
Five Ways to Shop for a Low Mortgage RateBecoming a Homeowner Mortgage rates are high this year, but you can still find an affordable loan with these tips.
