If you bought a new home or have completed your mortgage, you need to get homeowners' insurance. The typical homeowners' policy isn't limited to protecting your home; it also covers your personal belongings, structures in your compound, and medical bills if someone is injured on your property. Before getting homeowners' insurance, you should understand the factors that influence the cost of the policy.

The Location of Your Home

Insurers consider the location of your home when setting the price for your premiums. For example, if you reside in an area that is susceptible to natural disasters like wildfires, hurricanes, and tornadoes, the cost of homeowners insurance will be high. This is because the risk of insuring your home is high. Also, policy rates are higher in cities than in rural areas because the cost of building in densely populated areas is high.

Additionally, insurers will consider your proximity to fire stations. If your home is a few feet from a fire station, you will get low rates. Insurers also factor in the crime rates of a neighborhood. Expect higher rates if there are regular home break-ins in your ZIP code.

Credit History

Insurers look at your credit to assess the risk they are taking on. If you have a good credit score, you are considered a lower risk, and your rates will be low. A credit score shows a person's likelihood to make prompt premium payments. Additionally, insurers may consider homeowners with a bad credit score as more likely to make claims than homeowners with good credit.

Home Price and Reconstruction Cost

Coverage for repairing and rebuilding plays a significant role in determining your homeowner insurance premiums. The cost of insuring a luxury home is high because it is more costly to repair or rebuild it.

Repair and rebuilding costs vary depending on the size of the property and local construction costs. Moreover, factors like the style of the house, type of construction, and special features like fireplaces affect premium rates.

Security and Safety Features

If you have security and safety features in your home, expect to get low premium rates because you are less likely to file a home insurance claim. You may earn discounts on your policy by adding fire alarms and security systems that alert local authorities. 

Simple improvements like securing your windows and doors with strong deadbolts and locks will also result in discounted premium rates. Before investing in safety and security features, weigh the cost against the discounts you stand to gain.

For more information, contact a local company, like Ronald H. Krupa Insurance Agency.