If your home insurance bills have been rising, you likely feel pretty frustrated. You know that home insurance is necessary to have, but the thought of paying those steep prices makes you want to cringe. The good news is that raising your deductible is not the only way to get cheaper home insurance. Here are seven effective ways to lower your home insurance rates:

Improve Your Credit Rating

Your credit score does not just play a big role in getting approved for loans; it can also impact your home insurance rates. As unfair as it seems, many home insurance companies believe people with low credit scores are more likely to file more claims. If your credit score is not that great right now, you should make an effort to improve it. For example, you should try to pay more than the minimum on your credit card bills every month. If you lower the balances on your credit cards, your score could go up.

Take Your Dog to Obedience School

If you own an aggressive dog breed, such as a Rottweiler or pit bull, you will likely be charged higher insurance premiums. Because these types of dogs have been known to bite, insurance companies may worry that guests could get hurt in your home, increasing liability. However, according to U.S. Insurance Agents, if you show proof that your dog has gone through obedience training, you may get lower rates. You can also reduce the risk of your dog biting someone by getting it fixed and socializing it with others regularly.

Get Rid of Your Trampoline

As much fun as a trampoline can be, it can negatively affect your home insurance rates. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 92,159 people were sent to the hospital for trampoline injuries in 2010. If one of your child's friends jumps on your trampoline and gets hurt, your insurance company will be responsible for the medical costs.

Improve Your Home's Security

If you spend the money to improve your home's security, your insurance company will know that it will be at less risk of burglaries. For example, you could install an alarm system or motion sensor lighting. These security features may be a big investment, but just think about how much money they will save you on your home insurance premiums.

Disaster Proof Your Home

Another way you can save money on your home insurance premiums is to make your home more disaster resistant. If your house can better withstand storms and other disasters, your insurance company may be more likely to lower your rates. For example, you could add storm shutters or repair an old roof. Also, if your electrical system is pretty old, you should think about modernizing it to reduce the risk of fires.

Ask About Discounts

When you talk to your insurance agent, do not be afraid to ask about what other discounts you qualify for. For instance, if you are retired and at home more, your home may be less likely to get burglarized, so you can qualify for cheaper premiums.

Do Not Get a Swimming Pool

Just like a trampoline, a swimming pool can pose danger and make your insurance company more nervous. Although a swimming pool might provide hours of entertainment for your family members, it might not be worth the extra insurance costs.

If you are not happy with the cost of your home insurance premiums, you can do something about. If you follow these helpful tips, you can reduce your rates. However, if your premiums are still not as low as you want them, click here for more info and put in a call to your insurance agent.

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