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 | |  | Typically: $1,000-$2,500 for a small-to-medium home | |
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Typical costs: | - If your state aggregates statistical data for insurance premiums, the best way to compare rates from many different carriers is to use your state's Homeowner's Premium Comparison or Homeowner's Insurance Consumer Guide. Many state Insurance Departments conduct surveys county-by-county based on amount of coverage and age of home, and can provide you a comparison of what different insurers are charging for similar homes in your area. CA[1] , FL, NY, TX, National Directory of State Insurance Departments[2] .
Related articles: Health Insurance, Car Insurance, Tax Returns, Refinancing a Mortgage
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Discounts: | - Ways to decrease the cost of your homeowner's insurance include:
- Shopping around and comparing prices of different carriers.
- Making sure your insurer knows about any reasons for a discount, such as having a burglar alarm, a smoke detector in every room, etc.
- Getting multiple insurance policies from the same company, i.e., getting homeowner's insurance and auto insurance from the same company.
- Many experts recommend against filing claims for small items less than several thousand dollars because filing could increase your premiums in future years, so it might make sense to have a deductible of $1,000 or more.
- Other tips for lowering your homeowners insurance costs are published by the Federal Citizen Information Center[3] .
Shopping for homeowner's insurance: | - Nation-wide carriers of homeowners insurance include Geico and Insweb[4] .
- You state's Department of Insurance may also have a list of carriers in your state. CA[5] , FL, NY, TX[6] , National Directory of State Insurance Departments[7] .
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CostHelper News
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7 Ways to Stretch Your Reduced Food Budget
End of the year budgets are tight for everyone, especially in this economy.It's especially hard for the millions of Americans who depend on government programs like food stamps to help make ends meet. || Posted November 11 2013
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Fix-it Favorites: Duct Tape and WD-40
My mother taught me that all home fixit-projects can be accomplished with either duct tape or WD-40. If something shouldn't move and it does, use duct tape. If something should move and it doesn't, use WD-40. || Posted September 30 2013
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments |
| Posted by: Joeby4 in Sauk Village, IL. | Posted: August 24th, 2017 12:08AM |
| Insurer: Farmers | Insured Amount: 425,000 |
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| Posted by: CandiceH in Amelia, VA. | Posted: February 18th, 2017 09:02AM |
| Insurer: USAA | Insured Amount: 550,000 |
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| Posted by: Rick Landaff in Littleton, NH. | Posted: October 12th, 2016 12:10PM |
| Insurer: Commerce/Maphre | Insured Amount: 492000 |
All the bells and whistles included. Liability limit at $1 million. Full replacement cost (HO-3); earthquake coverage, replacement cost contents, Advantage Endorsement, deductible of $500. Security system credit, no losses, credit score 800+ gives BIG discount |
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| Posted by: Vern strutzel in Stoughton, WI. | Posted: August 18th, 2016 11:08AM |
| Insurer: State farm | Insured Amount: 400,000 |
Our present deductible is 5,000 on a 400,000 home. Is that what it should be? |
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| Posted by: LawnGuy in Cumming, GA. | Posted: March 31st, 2013 03:03PM |
| Insurer: Allstate | Insured Amount: $125,000 |
Basic home insurance under umbrella policy |
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| Posted by: Fred Doral in Doral, FL. | Posted: January 8th, 2013 08:01PM |
| Insurer: Force Placed | Insured Amount: 120,000 |
I found that bank forced place insurance on my house is a much better deal than the Royal Palm Insurance that I had.
I started off with Royal Palm Insurance when I purchased my house, Royal Palm Insurance was then sold to Tower Hill the next year. They sent notice of non renewal. I got several quotes from Citizens Property Insurance Corporation that were all insane in price, over $1,900. So I made the choice to see how much bank force placed insurance would cost. Sure enough, it is a much better deal for me. |
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| Posted by: JS in Florida in Orlando, FL. | Posted: April 20th, 2012 02:04PM |
| Insurer: Farm Bureau | Insured Amount: 330000 |
Rate has $500,000 liability, $1,000 deductible, sink hole coverage, and other coverage. Had State Farm for decades but they not only have raised rates immensely (to over $2400) but the way they treat us (and the State of Florida) makes me change them even if their rates were half. Best bet is to check State of Florida web site as it gives comparison prices and quality indicators for companies. Try http://www.floir.com/choices/ and also read http://cf.htcreative.com/insurance2/insuranceriskhome.html#webApp. |
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| Posted by: CK in Tampa, . | Posted: September 15th, 2011 11:09AM |
| Insurer: Citiziens | Insured Amount: 158,000 |
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| Posted by: BrendaD in Bellwood, IL. | Posted: June 10th, 2011 09:06AM |
| Insurer: Allstate | Insured Amount: $254,041 |
I filed more than 3 claims within 5 years. I had rental property under a separate policy, paying a separate premium and Allstate took the claims that I filed on my rental property and lumped them together with the claims that I filed on my primary residence. They have informed me that as of August 2011, they are dropping my coverage. I have been trying to find coverage with other companies, but no will insure me, because they are able to view the claims that I have with Allstate. |
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| Posted by: A. Vanover in bardstown, KY. | Posted: May 30th, 2011 10:05PM |
| Insurer: safeco | Insured Amount: 150,000 |
Unknowingly filed 3 claims within 5 years due to extremely unfortunate circumstances. Neither Safeco nor their agents warned us of possible consequences of filing these claims. One was a theft about 900.00, one was related to air conditioner for about 1,000.00 and the other was related to damage to kitchen tile caused by a leaking dishwasher for about 3600.00. They cancelled us and now we cannot find insurance coverage. There should be a requirement that insurers tell you upfront about their cancellation policies. Had we known this, we would have only filed one claim. Need to know who we can turn to for insurance. |
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| Posted by: Ajay1274 in Ridgewood, NJ. | Posted: December 19th, 2010 10:12AM |
| Insurer: Ameriprise / IDS Casulty through Costco | Insured Amount: 700000 |
IDS Casulty (Ameriprise) gave one of the best price and coverage. $1000 deductible for Hurricane and other damages. Personal liability $500K. $10K water / sewer back up included. |
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| Posted by: Saundra in Riverdale, IL. | Posted: July 1st, 2010 02:07PM |
| Insurer: AllState | Insured Amount: 100,000. |
I'm wndering if there is a max amount that can be charged legally. Are there regulations in place somewhere to prohibit overcharging? |
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| Posted by: jwwww in Kansas City, MO. | Posted: June 16th, 2010 03:06PM |
| Insurer: Travelers | Insured Amount: 60,000 |
These people are more than outrageous, they're criminal. Insurance is paid thru escrow and any payment reduction in property tax was eaten up by steady increases by Travelers. They didn't review me for 11 years and when they did, said this was their best rate! I've now changed to Farmers and have to fight with Travelers to get my money back. I'd like to sue them |
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| Posted by: Jo Winkler in Wooster, OH. | Posted: January 4th, 2010 10:01AM |
| Insurer: Allstate | Insured Amount: 247000 |
$430.00 is my 2009 premium. I just got my new bill for $572.00, an increase of 30%. No reason for the increase on my part: credit score in the 700s, no claims. I am in process of finding a new insurer! BEWARE! |
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| Posted by: Thomas in Saranac Lake, NY. | Posted: October 29th, 2009 01:10PM |
| Insurer: State Farm | Insured Amount: 192,000 |
Includes 10k basement water damage protection. I have coverage with State Farm for 3 cars and they did not mention a discount on the cars that would happen because of the new homeowner's policy. |
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| Posted by: Les in Harrisburg, PA. | Posted: July 8th, 2009 11:07PM |
| Insurer: Geico | Insured Amount: 266,000.00 |
I already have 2 cars with Geico and was able to insure 185000.00 home with 266,000 insurance for 418.00 year which includes a 5% water and wind damage coverage. I have a 500.00 deductible. |
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| Posted by: Frank in union city, CA. | Posted: June 27th, 2009 11:06PM |
| Insurer: Farmers | Insured Amount: $400,000 |
I purchased homeowner's insurance from Farmers, $1500 deductible. Also, my cars got nearly 15% off. |
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| Posted by: Lexi in Ocala, FL. | Posted: April 25th, 2009 12:04PM |
| Insurer: Peggy in Belleview | Insured Amount: 90,000 |
It really pays to shop around. Our first house someone in the family found the "best" price in Ocala so we went with their firm, about $1,300. We checked with our auto insurance agent and she was able to get us this $670 a year with a company different than the auto insurance. It helps to talk to someone you can be upfront about what needs insured for how much/what you're willing to pay for. |
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| Posted by: Jerry D'Agostino in Lake Grove, NY. | Posted: February 19th, 2009 08:02AM |
| Insurer: Allstate | Insured Amount: 275,000 |
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| Posted by: susan in Caryville, FL. | Posted: January 5th, 2009 01:01PM |
| Insurer: citizens | Insured Amount: 103,000 |
I was told by 2 people originally that my modular home was insured and treated as a site built home and that my insurance should range from 700 to 800. My credit and husbands credit is in the middle 700's- Is this information correct? if you additional information, please let me know. why did it go from 700 to 1697????? |
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External Resources: | - /interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/survey/index.jsp
- www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm
- publications.usa.gov/epublications/12ways/12ways.htm
- secure1.insweb.com/cgi-bin/homeowners.exe
- /interactive.web.insurance.ca.gov/webuser/ncdw_alpha_co_line$.startup
- www.tdi.texas.gov/consumer/colists.html
- www.naic.org/state_web_map.htm
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