Six Ways to Lower Home Insurance Premiums



The Pennsylvania and New Jersey auto and home insurance industry is going through a ‘hard’ market, a challenging insurance market that we have never experienced before. A hard market is defined as two or more years of premium increases of 5% or more. This hard market also includes other complex navigational challenges like multiple insurance carrier rate actions, which include numerous new business restrictions, and increased scrutiny around new and existing insurance agency appointments. This market also has insurance carriers being more selective from an underwriting standpoint on both new and in-force business.


A house is most likely the largest investment you will make in your life, so you want your investment to be properly insured in case something unexpected happens. Homeowners insurance can provide you with that safety net for the unexpected. Unfortunately, homeowners insurance can be pricey, here are six ways to lower your home insurance costs:


1. Raise Your Deductible 

While raising your deductible may sound counterintuitive, doing so will help you save money every month. Your insurance deductible is the amount you pay towards a covered loss. This deductible is your share of the cost of the claim to repair or replace your home and personal items. If you have a higher deductible, you can save more money in premiums you pay to the insurance company.


2. Secure Your Home

Companies will provide discounts on your home insurance if you have basic security systems in place. A 5% discount is usually given just for having smoke detectors, a burglar alarm, and/or deadbolt locks. In addition, many insurers offer a 15% discount if you have a central monitoring system (think ADT or SimpliSafe) that will detect a forced opened door, or smoke odor. This monitoring system will automatically notify the police and firefighters that your house may be in jeopardy. While these systems can be pricey, the investment is worthwhile as this helps protect your house and in turn lower your home insurance costs in the long run.


3. Use the Same Insurance Company for Home and Auto

Almost every insurance company will offer up to a 15% discount if you have more than one insurance policy with them. This includes auto, home, and life insurance. Normally the discounted cost is cheaper than buying two insurance policies from two different insurers. Bundling your insurance is another great way to save on your insurance premiums.


4. Other Potential Discounts

Many insurance carriers have special discounts depending on your individual circumstances; If your home is:

  • A new purchase
  • Newly built
  • Installed a new roof
  • Upgraded your heating/air conditioning


Ask about Paperless discounts.

This is a great discount and easy to take advantage of. Almost every insurance company has easy to use websites and phone applications to manage your policies.


5. Build Your Credit Score

Having a good credit score comes in handy in almost every financial situation, including the potential to lower the cost of your home insurance. Has your credit score improved significantly recently? The better the credit score, the better, and lower insurance rate. To build your credit score, pay bills on time and keep your credit balances in low.


6. Shop Around

It pays to shop your home and auto insurance every two to three years, not every year. Insurance companies like that you are also loyal to your current insurance carrier.


Through these six steps, hopefully you can lower the cost of your home insurance. While home insurance is essential, you want to take steps to lower the cost while still having adequate coverage. By following the steps listed above, you can make sure you are paying a lower cost for home insurance.


Contact Dtown Insurance for Your Home Insurance Needs


Dtown Insurance agents have many years of experience in selecting good home insurance coverages. Our agents can help guide you through the various Pennsylvania and New Jersey home insurance carriers available to make an informed decision and find the right policy for you and your family.


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Pennsyvania's Distracted Driving Law - Paul Miller's Law

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Pennsylvania's Distracted Driving Law Effective June 5, 2026, the penalty is a summary offense with a $50 fine, plus court costs and other fees. Pennsylvania’s hands-free law may be referred to as Paul Miller’s Law. Paul Miller was killed in 2010 when a distracted driver crossed a center grass divider and traveled head-on into Paul’s car. If a driver is convicted of homicide by vehicle and driving while distracted, they may be sentenced up to an additional five years in prison. As a primary offense, drivers can be stopped by police if they have a mobile device in their hand while driving.  The law: Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer, or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data. Defines driving as operating a motor vehicle on a highway, including anytime the motor vehicle is temporarily stationary because of traffic, a traffic control device (e.g., a traffic light or stop sign), or other momentary delay. Defines the use of an interactive mobile device as using at least one hand to hold, or supporting with another part of the body, an interactive mobile device, dialing or answering an interactive mobile device by pressing more than a single button, or reaching for an interactive mobile device that requires a driver to maneuver so that the driver is no longer in a seated driving position, restrained by a seat belt. A driver may use an interactive mobile device if the driver moves the vehicle to the side of or off a highway and halts in a location where the vehicle can safely remain stationary. The hands-free law allows for an emergency use exception if it is necessary to communicate with a law enforcement official or other emergency service to prevent injury to persons or property. Pennsylvania's Texting-While-Driving Ban The law prohibits as a primary offense any driver from using an interactive mobile device to send, read or write a text-based communication while his or her vehicle is in motion. Defines an interactive mobile device as a handheld wireless telephone, personal digital assistant, smart phone, portable or mobile computer or similar device which can be used for voice communication, texting, emailing, browsing the Internet, instant messaging, playing games, taking or transmitting images, recording or broadcasting videos, creating or sharing social media or otherwise sending or receiving electronic data. Defines a text-based communication as a text message, instant message, email or other written communication composed or received on an interactive mobile device. Makes clear that this law supersedes and preempts any local ordinances restricting the use of interactive wireless devices by drivers. " Faces of Distracted Driving " is an online photo series exploring the tragic consequences of texting and cell phone use behind the wheel by sharing the stories of people from across the country who have been injured or lost loved ones in distracted driving crashes. Click here to view "Faces of Distracted Driving." Dtown Insurance agents have many years of experience in auto insurance. Our agents prioritize getting you the right coverage for the best price available. One of the best auto insurance carriers we work is AAA, one of the country’s largest and most reputable insurance carrier in the United States. Call today
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