Home improvements can curb insurance costs

Resale value another good reason to upgrade

SAN ANTONIO – Homeowners often think about resale value when considering home improvements. 

But if you're not looking to sell anytime soon, there's another good reason to make some upgrades -- you could save on your homeowners insurance.  

Consumer Reports says these fixes can lead to discounts:

Replacing the roof: A sound roof prevents even more expensive problems, such as rot and structural damage caused by water leaks. Insurance companies offer discounts ranging from 5 to 35 percent depending on where you live, roofing materials and the insurance company. 

Home security system: Discounts may be more likely for systems connected to an outside monitoring service.

Electrical system: Upgrading to safer standards is a plus with insurers. Consumer Reports found a company that gives up to an 8 percent discount to homeowners who upgrade their electrical and plumbing.

Generator: A stationery unit to keep everything humming in a power outage and you might also get a discount.

Smoke and fire detectors:  They're usually required by code, but installing certain fire and smoke alarms could get you a 2 to 6 percent insurance discount. Check with your insurance company to see what discounts are offered. 

The individual price savings may be small, but taken together they could add up to significant savings.


About the Author:

Marilyn Moritz is an award-winning journalist dedicated to digging up information that can make people’s lives a little bit better. As KSAT’S 12 On Your Side Consumer reporter, she focuses on exposing scams and dangerous products and helping people save money.