Cutting down on House insurance Costs

Insurance: it's something you hope you'll never need but prudence requires you to have it. An unavoidable requirement of obtaining most mortgages, house insurance is one of the easiest things to save money on. Just read on for some money-saving tips:

•  Increase the excess: One surefire way to reduce premiums is to increase the excess (the amount you have to pay before the insurer will pay out). As long as it's an amount you can afford - there's nothing worse than having the right insurance, only to find that you can't afford the excess - this should make a substantial reduction in the premium, because the chances that you'll make a claim are lowered.

•  Make your home more secure: Anything that reduces the likelihood of burglary is going to reduce your premiums, as you'll be less likely to make a claim. Join the local Neighbourhood Watch scheme, get a burglar alarm, change the door and window locks - all of these measures will show insurance providers that your home is secure. If you're yet to buy a house, take into account that the sort of area you live in will have an effect on your insurance - the higher the local crime rate, the higher the premium.

•  Get a safety deposit box: Having high value objects within your home will increase your premium rates. You might find that it's actually cheaper to keep these things in a safety deposit box outside of the home, than to pay a high premium to keep them inside. Really, it depends on how often you'll need access to these objects.

•  Switch provider: When it comes to service providers - whether it's gas, electricity, banks, insurers or internet - the general rule is that loyalty is not rewarded. This is because most providers know that in general, customers are lazy and don't have the time to always be searching for the best deal. But a bit of research can really pay off. Whizz around the internet and pool together quotes and compare policies. There are lots out there. Start out search with Kwik Fit Insurance, who offer a range of policies to take care of your home, and offer their contents insurance policy to protect the valuables inside.

HSBC Home Ins | MORE THAN Home Insurance | TESCO | Liverpool Victoria | Natwest | Norwich Union