6 Things You Can Do to Obtain Home Insurance Smoothly

Here’s a fact: Insurance companies do not want to sell insurance to people who are more likely to use it. Unfortunately, if you live in an area prone to flooding or earthquakes, there’s nothing much you can do to reduce damages. However, there are things you have power over. These include:

1)Remove items that are considered "potential hazards" - When you are exposed to things on your property that could cause liability claims, most insurance companies would have doubts of writing a policy. If your home has an unfenced swimming pool, a water slide, diving board or even a trampoline, you may be refused of coverage. However, some companies may still provide you with insurance, but you will have to pay more.

2)Make sure your home is not prone to "unsafe conditions" - Insurance companies check if you have installed fire-resistance materials and systems in constructing your home. The insurers would also inspect if you maintain your property regularly. When agents or insurers are deciding if they would write you a policy or renew your expiring insurance, signs of disrepair and unsafe conditions such as leafy roofs, cracked steps can result in problems obtaining insurance.

3)Train your pets - Insurance companies check if your pets are well mannered. This is because unleashed pets, unfriendly dogs or mean cats are potential causes of liability claims. As such, it is best to train your dogs early if you plan to purchase home insurance.

4)Get rid of your wood-burning stoves - Although wood-burning stoves have become the king of your kitchens, insurance companies feel that homes with such stoves are in more risk of fire. Most of the time, if your home is located far from a fire station, you may be rejected. However, for insurance companies that sell you a policy, be prepared to pay higher premiums.

5)Review your history of filed claims - As unfair as this may seem, most insurance companies deny coverage if you have filed heavy claims within several years. The insurers see this as a sign that you don’t do your part to protect your personal belongings and home. If you have filed several small claims every six months, you may likely be denied as insurance companies may feel you are engaging in insurance claims. To make sure your case is heard before being rejected, hire an independent agent to make a case to prove you are indeed a responsible homeowner and just happen to have a string of bad luck.

If you still considered all these tips to ensure a smooth insurance application, but still get rejected, check if your state provides a FAIR plan (Fair Access to Insurance Requirements), which could help people who has been turned down several times by various insurers. While these plans are usually more expensive compared to standard policies, this could probably be your last resort.

Shannon Kietzman is the author. She helps others determine how much is home insurance a month and how to best meet their home insurance needs through content creation.