There are a few simple precautions you can take to keep your family and possessions safe and also bring down your house insurance costs.

It may seem obvious but the safer and more secure your home is the lower your house insurance premiums will be. Insurers like people who seem to be taking care of their home and possessions; after all the more care you take the less likely you are to have to make a claim, it’s a win win situation.

Insurers all rate precautions differently and some of the suggestions below may make no difference to some providers. However, even if they do not end up lowering your premiums, they will at least make your home safer for you and your family. They can also potentially make your house more attractive should you decide to sell.

Crime

1. Fit a British Standard BS4737 burglar alarm; these serve to lower your premium by anything from 5% to 15%; providing a visible deterrent to potential thieves.

2. If someone is home most of the time as opposed to leaving your house vacant your premiums may fall.

3. Security lights are a cheap and effective deterrent.

4. Good quality deadlocks or key operated security bolts should be fitted to all doors and windows.

5. Never leave keys in a secret hiding place in case you lose yours.

6. Security mark all of your valuables with a UV pen and take photographs to help identify them should they be stolen.

Fire

1. Make sure you fit a quality smoke alarm and change the battery every few months.

2. If possible replace your doors with fire doors.

Flooding

1. In areas where water damage is likely to occur due to flooding there are precautions you can take to help reduce your house insurance premiums. Replace vulnerable building materials such as wood and chipboard with more water resistant options like; concrete, plastic and lime plaster.

2. Keeping a stock of sandbags to stem the tide of water can help.

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