It is well documented that home insurance premiums are rising in many parts of the country. In fact, with the threat of severe weather and climate-related disasters increasingly prevalent, some properties are struggling to find coverage altogether. As a homeowner, choosing the right type of materials for construction and renovation projects can go a long way toward ensuring that you get the most favorable home insurance rates possible. Keep reading as we explore the various ways that the right building materials can lower insurance premiums.
Fortified Roofs
Roof repairs make up a large portion of insurance claims. Whether it is shingles ripped away during heavy winds, roof water damage from torrential downpours, or roofs damaged during fire, insurance companies see a high quantity of roofing claims coming their way.
As your home’s first line of defense against the elements, a strong roof can go a long way to improving the insurability of your home and lowering annual premiums. Metal, slate, and composite asphalt are some of the best products, as they offer the highest fire and impact resistance on the market. They can last for more than 50 years with limited upkeep requirements, helping keep your home well protected in all conditions.
Greater Longevity
Old homes are generally more expensive to insure than newer models. This is because old materials typically lose their efficacy over time, with any type of incident more likely to result in significant loss. Therefore, by remodeling with long-lasting materials such as metal, fiber cement, and other types of composites, insurers can be confident that the materials themselves will hold up over the course of the home’s lifetime and not break down in the face of adverse conditions.
Resistance to the Elements
Mother Nature has a way of making her mark. UV damage, water absorption, and exposure to heavy wind are just some of the factors that can take their toll on the home and put it at greater risk of damage. Therefore, to enhance your home’s building envelope and lower the risk of a minor incident spiraling out of control, explore insulation tools, silicone-based sealants, house wrap, exterior paint, and other types of products for stopping air and moisture leaks. It is even worthwhile to perform a blower door test on your home to identify any potential points of weakness. If the insurance company can see that your home is leak free with a high R-value, they can rest assured that their risk is minimized.
Reduced Disaster Risk
Most homeowners’ policies will not cover the property for day-to-day wear--they are there to protect the home in the event of acute loss in the face of disaster. While there are some large-scale events that make major loss unavoidable, some of the most robust building materials on the market perform exceptionally well in the face of the most extreme disasters. For example, hurricane grade storm windows can withstand winds of up to 250 MPH and projectile impact up to 100 MPH. Steel log siding comes with similar types of impact resistance, giving insurers confidence that your home will survive even the most trying conditions.
Lower Threat of Water Damage
Water is one of the building blocks of life, but when left unchecked, it can cause unmitigated disaster to your property. As such, insurance adjusters are going to pay close attention to the threat of water damage to your home’s foundation. It is a good idea to apply liquid flashing or water resistant membranes to your home’s below grade walls to keep water away. In addition, if drainage is a problem on your property, explore artificial grass suppliers and permeable pavers to better control runoff with minimal maintenance requirements.
Enhanced Fire Protection
California residents know firsthand the threat of fire. It is one of the sticking points that makes some California homes expensive or impossible to insure. As such, it is critical to renovate with the most fire-resistant materials to stand the best chance to obtain a favorable rate. Consider metal or composite roofing over asphalt shingles or wood shakes, polished concrete over solid hardwood for floors, and aluminum window frames over wood-framed windows to help make your property as fireproof as possible.
Fewer Maintenance Requirements
If you are lucky, your insurer will write a letter informing you of potential structural issues with your home that may affect your coverage and provide a window to get the work done. However, it is not uncommon for homeowners’ policies to get canceled due to a maintenance issue that goes untended. Therefore, by building with the most durable, low maintenance products on the market, you can give your home the best chance of receiving a favorable inspection that results in the lowest rates possible.
Lower Insurance Premiums Today With Careful Material Selection
With severe weather and climate-related disasters on the rise throughout the country, many homeowners are feeling the squeeze of this increased risk through higher insurance premiums. Fortunately, by carefully choosing the right materials and exploring the multitude of resources at Barber Insurance Agency, California homeowners can put themselves in the best position to receive the most favorable rate possible.
Author Bio:
Roger Marx is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on the latest trending building and design products. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on backyard projects in his spare time. Roger’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a construction industry resource site