Lindahl Construction Group

Whether buying a new home or building a new construction custom home, the cost of your insurance is something you will need to factor into your monthly expenses.  Here in the Sarasota area, that includes homeowners insurance, wind mitigation  insurance, and in many cases, flood insurance.

However, there are some features that you can build into your home which will help you to keep your annual insurance premiums down – and by their very nature, these features will also make you safer and more secure.

Home Insurance Rate Busters

Whether remodeling or building, consider adding these elements, and be sure to alert your insurance company that you did so in order to secure the best home insurance rates.

• Home Alarm Systems: According to Alarm.org, 90% of thieves will avoid a home with a security system. These days, security systems take many forms, including video doorbells and smart home surveillance. No matter how you chose to protect your home, let your insurance company know, as security systems may decrease your rate by up to 20%.
• Updated Major Systems: If you are in an older home, retrofitting the electrical and plumbing systems is a great way to get an insurance break. When these systems are older and fail, they can be responsible for major damage – such as your house flooding, or even burning down. Modernizing these systems will go a long way to making your home safer – and more affordable to insure.
• New or Updated Roof: A new roof is a great feature to have when looking for the best home insurance rate. Because today’s roofs are known to last upwards to 40 or more years, insurance companies will see your risk as very low. Also, the roof is integral in the Sarasota area, which is prone to tropical storms and hurricane force winds. Your insurance company may also like to know about upgrades such as new shingles or UV coating which can extend the longevity of the roof.
• Hurricane Shutters: Here in South Florida, any type of hurricane protection is likely to result in a more favorable insurance rate. While many features are part of the building code – such as hurricane rated windows – shutters are still an optional item. Today’s shutters are lightweight, easy to install, and can even be automated. Not only will they save you on your insurance, they will give you true peace of mind in the face of a monster storm.
• Generators: Having a generator installed may make the insurance company feel more confident about your ability to gracefully weather a storm. If your air conditioning stays on, there is less chance of systems overheating or mold quickly growing. Speak with your insurance carrier to see if a generator may be a cost savings for you.
• Pool Safety: All new Florida pools are required to have safety barriers, such as a child safety fence. A home with a pool is also required to have doors and windows wired with alarms (usually a serious of beeps) to alert residents when someone goes in or out. You may also choose to have additional layers of fencing and motion sensors to protect the area, and make insurance companies more comfortable with the risk of liability.
• Home Safes: A home safe is considered an asset to home insurance companies, both because thieves are unlikely to break into them, and your valuable will be protected from fire. Just know that if you take advantage of a lower rate because of the safe, your insurance company may not pay out for loss of valuables you failed to keep in there.

As one of Sarasota and Longboat Key’s most respected builders, Lindahl Construction is proud of our quality workmanship and details. If you would like more ideas for custom home features which will keep your home and family safe, give us a call today.