Home insurance is a relatively simple concept on the surface. You tell your insurance provider about your home, and they in turn evaluate the risks associated with your home. As you could imagine, as the riskiness of your home increases, so does the price of your California home insurance.

Image courtesy of womeninthepetindustry.com

When looking for home insurance, California residents should know that there are five things that insurance providers look for, and that will almost always add to your premiums. These five factors are:

• A home office – home insurance typically only insures a home. Adding an office into the mix increases the amount of potential losses for the insurance provider.
• Pets – while most pets are friendly and loveable, insurance providers have witnessed the destruction and liabilities they can cause. Because of this, having a pet in your home will likely raise your insurance rates.
• Older homes – with outdated plumbing and wiring, insurers see older homes as a claim waiting to happen. If you have replaced or remodeled anything in an old house, make sure to tell your insurance agent to see if it will afford you a discount.
• Pools – every parent with a pool recognizes the dangers it brings to the table. In some cases, though, a child-proof safety fence will get you a discount!
• Trampolines – this is another danger for children and adults alike. If you have a trampoline, just as if you have a pool, a safety net is a great way to mitigate risks!

As you see in the descriptions, these factors will likely add to your home insurance, California residents. Thankfully, in most situations, you can do something to mitigate the risk and lower the increased insurance rates. Make sure you speak to an insurance agent about what repairs and installations will take money off your premium!

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