There are a number of ways you can reduce the costs associated with home insurance premiums, including installing burglar alarms, fire alarms and interior sprinkler systems to lower the chance of your valuable items being stolen or water damaged. Also make sure any outdated electrical, plumbing or HVAC systems are updated.

1. Get a Quote

Home insurance premiums can differ substantially among insurers. Therefore, it pays to compare policies before renewing.

Many websites, like The Zebra and Policygenius, can provide quotes from multiple insurers without asking for your personal details – although be mindful that some services share it with multiple insurers.)

Consider installing loss-prevention upgrades such as burglar alarms, fire sensors, storm shutters and a sewer backwater valve to reduce claims filings and decrease premium rates. These devices help ensure fewer claims and lower rates are filed each year.

2. Look for a Discount

Many insurance companies provide discounts that can reduce your premium, such as new home discounts for meeting certain construction standards; green home discounts for using LEED-certified appliances; or security discounts if living in gated communities.

Good credit, automatic payments and opting for paperless policy statements can all help lower premiums. In some instances, loyalty discounts may also apply – particularly to home owners who have gone three to five years without filing a claim.

3. Update Your Policy

If it has been awhile since you shopped for quotes, now may be the time. Look out for discounts like alarm systems and smart home features; also take note if your other structures coverage (typically sheds and fences) exceeds necessary levels and adjust accordingly.

Improve your credit to save money when insuring policies; insurers rely on credit scores when pricing policies. Make necessary plumbing upgrades and install a home security system to reduce risks; even something as simple as trimming back dry brush in fire-prone areas may earn discounts from insurers.

4. Make Sure Your Home Is in Good Condition

Homeowners insurance premiums have become more costly over time, but there are ways you can lower them without compromising essential coverage. Shop around and make sure you take advantage of all discounts you qualify for.

Consumer Reports suggests that installing a security system or smart-home devices could save up to 5 percent on your premium, while landscaping your property with fire prevention in mind can earn additional discounts. Many insurers also provide loyalty discounts; you could even lower premiums further by increasing your deductible amount.

5. Maintain a Clean Home

Keep your home tidy to save on homeowners insurance premiums. Here’s how:

Clean hard floors regularly with vacuuming and sweeping. Use wet wipes to disinfect light switches, remote controls, drawer pulls and banisters. Ask guests to take off their shoes upon entering your house.

New is Better – Insurers prefer new homes because they are less likely to suffer from electrical, heating and plumbing issues; adding a sprinkler system could save even more.

Retirees often receive special discounts; they are less likely to be burglarized and can spot fires early on, which makes them ideal targets.

6. Don’t Smoke

Smoking causes thousands of home fires each year, and insurers tend to offer non-smokers lower premiums. You could also save money by discontinuing other risky activities like owning certain breeds of dogs (which insurers view as more likely to bite), trampolines and pools usage or purchasing certain dog breeds that insurers perceive as higher-risk breeds.

As per NerdWallet, increasing your deductible can also be an effective strategy to lower home insurance premiums by up to 12% annually.

7. Make Sure You Have the Right Coverage

Homeowners insurance rates depend on many factors, including your home’s size, location and condition; its proximity to fire departments or hydrants; as well as whether or not it includes safety features like smoke detectors or burglar alarms. There are ways you can lower your rate; one of them being raising your deductible by up to 12% annually.

Be sure you’re paying for coverage you don’t require by regularly reviewing your policy. For instance, many homeowner policies have dollar limits for items like jewelry; increasing these could save money.

8. Don’t Make Claims

Homeowners insurance is designed for catastrophic losses and insurers will often raise your premium after filing a claim. Therefore, it is wise to avoid filing claims whenever possible.

Increased deductibles can lower premiums. Just be sure you can afford it should an emergency arise.

Reducing expenses further includes bundling policies (buying homeowners and auto coverage from the same provider) as well as installing protective devices to minimize loss risk such as burglar alarms, smoke detectors, storm shutters or cutting back dry brush in fire-prone areas.

9. Don’t Change Your Policy

At times it may be possible to lower costs with policy adjustments; if that is the case for you, consider switching providers if your customer service experience with your current provider has left something to be desired or you have made significant improvements that would lower insurance premiums.

Be sure to purchase your new policy well in advance of when your current one expires to avoid costly lapses in coverage, which may prove more expensive in the long run. Check if replacement cost coverage and eco-friendly upgrades are included in the new plan, which could save up to 10% in premium costs. These steps could save up to 10%.

10. Look for Group Insurance

Group insurance plans tend to be less costly and require fewer medical tests, plus can often be managed more conveniently through your employer’s human resources department.

Newer homes generally attract lower premiums due to being less vulnerable to wind or fire damage, and insurers tend to favor brick or masonry structures because they’re more resistant to damage.

Retirees tend to receive better discounts than other homeowners because they take better care in maintaining their houses, and can afford a higher deductible payment.