home insurance monthly payments

Homeowners insurance is one of those annoying things that you have to have, even though you will probably never need it. A typical policy covers your home as well as the basic contents such as furniture and fittings. However, most standard homeowners insurance policies don't include coverage for expensive or luxury items, such as jewelry, antiques or works of art. To insure these items, you generally have to take out a separate policy, sometimes called a rider.

You can easily get homeowners insurance quote simply by picking up the phone; you can also compare policies, costs and features on line. Some websites will compare companies and offer you several different quotes, so you only have to supply your information once. Your mortgage company may recommend an insurance company although you aren't required to use that company. And you should also take out a homeowner's insurance policy as soon as you have had an offer accepted on a house - rather than leaving it until later.

Try to obtain at least three quotes for your homeowners insurance from three different companies before deciding which one to take. You may be eligible for a discount if you have certain anti-theft or safety features in your home, such as smoke detectors, burglar alarms or dead-bolt locks; and you may also get a further discount if you have your auto and homeowners insurance on the same policy.

When shopping around for a quote, consider not only the amount of your monthly payment but exactly the amount of coverage that the policy provides. And the amount of your deductible is also something to consider when shopping around for homeowners insurance - the average deductible is around $250. Don't be persuaded to take out more homeowners insurance than you actually need - a common error is to include the value of your land when estimating the value of your home.

If the amount of your homeowners insurance quote seems a little high, you may be what the insurance companies describe as high-risk. People who live in areas that are more prone to natural disasters - flooding, fires, hurricanes and earthquakes - are considered high risk. And if you live in a mobile home, you will probably pay more for your homeowner's policy.

Unfortunately you have to have homeowners insurance - with a little bit of research and shopping around, you can be sure of getting the best policy.

Emeka Ezidiegwu is a Webmaster and Internet marketer. For homeowners insurance online, search Omegafind Directory Search