Preparing for Storms Can Lead to Discounted Homeowners Insurance

Residents of some hurricane-prone states are reportedly using wind inspectors to help hold down their annual homeowners insurance premiums.

A report on the WBTW-TV website in South Carolina focuses on the home inspections and how they are helping to hold down insurance costs by giving consumers more knowledge about their home's readiness to withstand major storms.

"We look to what kinds of windows they have, look at their gables to see if they're braced enough, look at the condition of the shingles because in a high wind situation, we can't have shingles flying all across the neighborhood," inspector George Schiessel told the television station, going on to note that some features can save a homeowner as much as four percent.

The article also adds that the average $150 cost of getting a wind inspection can be more than offset by savings to one's homeowners insurance policies.

Consumers can also check with their insurance companies for information on any other discounts they may offer. For example, some companies will offer homeowners insurance discounts for smoke alarms or even sprinkler systems, as well as home security systems.