What are the most common home insurance discounts?

Some of the most common home insurance discounts include lower premiums for installing fire and security alarms. 

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Common home insurance discounts

You don’t want to spend more on home insurance than you have to – and you shouldn’t. Our whole jam is to help you get easy, reliable coverage at a great price. That’s why we want to help you find all the home insurance discounts you can.

Every company has their own discounts and savings amounts. You can find a list of our discounts at the end of this article. Otherwise, you can read through the list to see what  discounts we offer as well as some we’ve seen at other insurance companies.

As always, if you ever have questions about what discounts you qualify for, just call us and ask! We’re happy to crunch the numbers and help save on your homeowners insurance costs.

1. Fire and security alarm discount

You know these devices – these are your monitored smoke alarms, motion sensors and cameras, and security systems. These devices help you make your home safer and minimize the chance or severity of a fire or theft claim, which is why most insurance companies offer a discount for them. 

The logic is that the faster the fire department or police can respond to a fire or break-in, the fewer losses you’ll have. Plus, security systems may deter thieves, which reduces your chance of experiencing a break-in in the first place.

Insurance companies may differ on which type of system qualifies for a discount. Most only accept centrally monitored systems.

2. Water leak detection and mitigation device discount

These devices are getting more affordable each day, and many water detection systems are smartphone-ready so you can get leak alerts anywhere. Some systems even have automatic water shut-offs. Because water damage can be costly, insurers are eager to reward homeowners who take measures to reduce or offset the chance of leaks.

3. Wind mitigation credits

Anyone who has experienced a hurricane knows how important a roof is! It can be the difference between your home being completely destroyed or staying intact during a hurricane. The more wind-resistant your roof is, the more you’ll save on your home insurance. 

Qualifying for these credits typically depends on the laws in your state. For example, discount are available for Florida homes must meet criteria based on their: 

  • A roof covering.

  • Roof-deck attachment.

  • Roof-wall connection

  • Attachment opening protection

  • A hip-shaped roof.

  • Secondary water resistance. 

Wind mitigation discounts may be based on different criteria in other states, like the home having:

We offer wind mitigation credits and discounts on our home insurance products in Florida, Louisiana, South Carolina, Mississippi, Alabama, Virginia, and Texas. In Florida and Louisiana, you may need a wind mitigation inspection to verify eligibility.

4. Claims-free discount

Many home insurance companies offer a discount if you haven’t filed a claim in a while. Policyholders who don’t have recent claims on their record may be considered less likely to file a claim in the near future. 

The number of years you need to be free of claims varies by state, but it can be as long as seven years (that’s about the time it takes for a claim to drop off your CLUE report). 

As a Kin member, you may be eligible for a claims-free discount to our members based on where you live on how long you’ve gone without filing a claim.

5. Electronic policy (e-policy) discount

In an effort to reduce carbon footprints and paper use, many insurance companies (Kin included) encourage policyholders to go green and manage their policies online. In many cases, this is a $10 discount – not bad for something you might’ve been planning to do regardless.

6. Community-based discounts

You may qualify for discounts if your home belongs to a homeowners association, is in a mobile park, or is part of a secured community. This is because HOAs and mobile home parks typically have quality standards for home maintenance. A well-maintained home may have fewer liability exposures. Plus, these communities may have neighborhood watches that decrease break-ins.

Similarly, a home in a secured community means it has a single entry, 24-hour security patrol, pass-key gates at all entrances, or 24-hour manned gates. Homes in these communities are more difficult to burglarize and therefore more attractive to insurance companies.

7. Mature homeowner discount

With age comes wisdom! At least from a risk perspective, older homeowners tend to be responsible. They’re also home more often, which may deter break-ins, and they typically don’t throw rambunctious parties that could quickly become a liability.

As with other home insurance discounts, eligibility varies by company. We automatically apply our mature homeowner discount when you apply.

8. Homebuyer discount

Buying a new home is exciting, and many insurers want to be your first pick for protecting it. That’s why insurance companies often offer a discount if you bought your home within the last 12 months.

At Kin, this means the home you’re insuring must have been purchased on the effective date of your policy or in the 12 months prior. If you earn a homebuyer discount on your initial policy and maintain continuous coverage with us, you may also get a discount with your renewal.

Note: The homebuyer discount is available for members with homes in Louisiana – but stay tuned! More are in the works.

9. Accredited builder discount

Some insurance companies offer a discount if your home was built less than six years ago by an accredited builder – that is, an active builder who provides a warranty covering wall-to-wall defects in the workmanship or materials.

10. LEED-certified home discount

Some insurance companies incentivize sustainability and energy efficiency by offering a discount for owning a LEED-certified home. This means the home  meets the environmental building standard known as the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Green Building Rating System. Eligibility generally depends on the insurer and state.

We do not currently offer a LEED-certified home discount.

11. Pay-in-full discount

Homeowners insurance companies often charge a small processing fee (like $3) per premium installment payment. That doesn’t sound like much, but it can add up. If you opt for a 10-pay installment plan, you’d pay $30 extra over the course of the year, so some companies offer a small discount to encourage paying the premium all at once.

12. ANSI compliance discount

Mobile homes owners can often get a discount if their homes meet standards from the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). This almost always requires documentation. Acceptable documentation usually includes:

  • A photo of the data plate inside your home.

  • A photo of the metal label on the outside of the home.

  • Notice from the home’s manufacturer stating that it was built in compliance with ANSI/ASCE 7-88 or A119.1/NFPA501B standards.

  • A statement from a licensed mobile home installer confirming that your home was built in compliance with ANSI/ASCE 7-88 or A119.1/NFPA501B standards.

If you can’t find any of the above, you can request either the data plate or a letter showing your home’s Department of Housing and Urban Development number from the Insurance Institute for Business & Housing Safety.

Please note: Documentation isn’t required if your home was built in or after 1995.

Kin insurance discounts at a glance

State & product

Discounts

Alabama House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Wind mitigation

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

Arizona House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Fire department tax discount

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

Florida homeowners insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Wind mitigation

  • Claims-free history

  • E-policy

  • Secured community

Florida condo insurance

  • Fire protective devices

  • Wind mitigation

  • Mature condo owner

  • E-policy

Florida landlord insurance

  • Fire protective devices

  • Claims-free history

  • Wind mitigation

  • Mature homeowner

  • E-policy

Florida mobile home insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Mature homeowner

  • Claims-free

  • Electronic policy

  • Mobile home park/community

  • New model buyer

  • ANSI compliance

Louisiana home insurance

  • Claims history

  • Wind mitigation

  • Home buyer

  • E-policy

Louisiana landlord insurance

  • Wind mitigation

  • Claims-free history

  • New home buyer

  • E-policy

Louisiana mobile home insurance

  • Claims-free  history

  • E-policy

  • New model buyer

  • Mature homeowner

  • Mobile home park/community

Mississippi House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Claims-free history

  • Wind mitigation

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

South Carolina House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Claims-free history

  • Wind mitigation

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

Texas House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Claims-free history

  • Wind mitigation

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

Texas mobile home insurance

  • Claims-free history

  • E-policy

  • New model buyer

  • Mature homeowner

  • ANSI compliance

  • Mobile home park/community

Virginia House & Property insurance

  • Fire, water, and security devices

  • Wind mitigation

  • E-policy

  • Welcome discount for new members

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