Rising Premiums Impacting Homeowners Insurance – What To Do

If you’ve noticed your homeowners insurance premiums increasing lately, you’re not alone. Across the country, homeowners are seeing higher insurance costs—even if they haven’t filed any claims. So, what’s driving these rising premiums, and more importantly, what can you do about it?

Let’s break it down.

Why Are Homeowners Insurance Rates Increasing?

Several major factors are contributing to the recent spike in homeowners insurance premiums:

1. Severe Weather and Climate Events

From hurricanes and wildfires to flooding and hailstorms, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and more destructive. Insurance companies are paying out more in claims than ever before, and those costs are being passed on to policyholders.

2. Rising Construction and Repair Costs

Lumber, labor, and materials have all increased significantly in price. If your home needs to be repaired or rebuilt after a claim, it will cost more—so insurance providers have to raise rates to keep up with the potential risk.

3. Increased Claim Frequency and Severity

Claims are not only happening more often, but the cost of each claim is higher. Water damage, fire losses, and storm-related claims can run into the tens (or hundreds) of thousands of dollars.

4. Reinsurance Costs

Insurers buy reinsurance to help cover major events. As reinsurance rates rise globally, so do your insurance costs at the local level.

How to Keep Your Homeowners Insurance Costs Reasonable

While you can’t control the weather, there are smart steps you can take to reduce your premiums—or at least prevent them from increasing more than necessary:

• Ask Your Agent to Shop Around Annually - Don’t assume your current policy is still the best fit. Rates and coverage can vary widely between carriers. That’s where working with an independent insurance agent (like Paris Insurance) can make a big difference.
• Bundle Your Policies - Combining your home and auto insurance with the same carrier can lead to significant multi-policy discounts.
• Raise Your Deductible - Choosing a higher deductible can lower your premium. Just make sure it’s an amount you’re comfortable paying out-of-pocket in the event of a claim.
• Make Your Home Safer - Insurance companies love to see protective features. Consider installing:
  • A monitored security system
  • Fire and smoke alarms
  • Storm shutters or impact-resistant windows
  • A sump pump or water detection system

These upgrades may reduce your risk—and your premium.

• Avoid Small Claims - Filing frequent small claims can lead to rate increases or even non-renewal. If it’s something minor you can afford to fix, it may be better not to file.

How an Independent Insurance Agent Can Help

Independent agents are not tied to one insurance company. Instead, they work for you, shopping quotes from multiple top-rated carriers to find the best home insurance coverage at the most competitive price. They’ll:

• Compare pricing and coverage options
• Customize your policy to match your needs and budget
• Help you understand your coverage—without the insurance jargon
• Advocate for you at renewal or if a claim arises

In today’s market, having an expert on your side is more important than ever.

Indiana Home Insurance - Find the Right Coverage at the Right Price

Rising premiums may be a challenge, but with the right guidance and strategy, you don’t have to overpay for homeowners insurance. Contact our office today for a no-obligation review of your current coverage. We’ll help you explore all your options and find the protection you need—at a price that makes sense.

Paris Insurance is located in Westfield, Indiana and offers homeowners insurance coverage throughout Central Indiana including Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Fishers, Zionsville, Whitestown, and throughout the entire Hoosier State.