Protecting a house with homeowner's insurance is something that most individuals understand is important. However, it is common for homeowners to be unsure of what they need to do in order to be smart when it comes to their insurance, but a few tips can help you to be a savvy insurance customer.

Check Your Policy For Spoiled Food Coverage

Power outages can be a major inconvenience, but they can also become very costly if they last for an extended period of time. This is due to the fact that the food in your refrigerator and freezer may spoil. For those with large freezers or refrigerators, this can quickly become very costly. When the power outage is due to damage to the home, it can further add to the cost of restoring normalcy to the house. However, many homeowner insurance policies provide at least some coverage to replace food that was lost during these situations.

Know The Value Of Off-Premises Coverage

Many individuals assume that their homeowner's insurance will only protect the possessions that are actually inside the home. However, many policies provide coverage for possessions that are commonly used away from the home. Common examples may be bicycles, skiing equipment, and luggage, but the specific items covered can be located under the off-premises coverage section of your insurance contract. Reviewing this section will allow you to know the items and causes of damage or loss that are covered as well as the process of filing a claim. By taking advantage of this protection, you may save yourself considerable expenses when replacing items that are damaged or destroyed while you are traveling.

Learn The Upgrades That Can Result In Premium Discounts

As the years pass, you will likely find yourself wanting or needing to make upgrades to your home. Often, these upgrades can be essential maintenance, such as replacing the roof, or optional improvements that enhance efficiency, comfort or security. Yet many homeowners fail to understand that certain upgrades may result in the insurance company discounting the premium for the house. The upgrades that provide these benefits typically enhance the home's protection against crime and damage. For example, a security system may lower the premium by lowering the odds of criminals burglarizing the structure or an impact resistant roof may mitigate the risk of storm damage striking the home. Unfortunately, your policy may not contain an up-to-date list of discount incurring upgrades as these can change with technological advances. Therefore, you should consult with your insurance agent prior to making improvements to the home to learn about the current discount programs.