Clients who order my PREMIUM or TECH inspection get some extra stuff that isn't covered by any city, state, county, or federal government, nor by any state or national home inspector trade association.

One of the things that I do is help them with their home owners insurance policy, based totally on my own experience with my insurance companies and properties that I own or have owned in several states, including California, Florida, Louisiana, Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Utah.

When I bought my first insurance policies back in 1973, I noted the questions that the company asked me. Applying Mr. Spock's Star Trek logic to the process, I rightly deduced that if I changed a no or yes answer to a yes or no answer, respectively, then I bet my premium would change. Over the years, then, I've always kept a copy of my insurance application and been proactive in letting my insurance companies know when my circumstances changed so that I might possibly get a better premium rate.

That, then, brings us to you, Mr. Buyer and Mr. Seller (and any other Readers who carry insurance of any kind).

Some of the things that I've always found useful in telling my insurance companies, especially the ones that insure my home and my life, are information about the following items in relation to my home:

1. Location of fire extinguishers — I also provide a record of maintenance since they should be inspected annually to ensure they will work when needed.
2. Security system — Modern systems typically include a fire alarm system.
3. Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms — These are critical for protecting my property and my life.
4. Nearest fire hydrant — Some insurance companies will give you a discount if the fire hydrant is in your front yard or within a certain number of blocks.
5. Nearest fire station — Some insurance companies will give you a discount if the fire station is within a certain number of miles.

So for my PREMIUM and TECH inspections, I note all of those things for my Clients. For example, many condominium complexes have fire extinguishers on exterior walls and in other common areas, such as the laundry room, game room, workout room, etc.

Obviously, it does take me time to walk around a condominium complex to find the closest fire extinguishers, or to drive around the neighborhood to find the closest fire hydrant or fire station, but the extra expense for my PREMIUM or TECH inspection can be recouped very equickly through lower insurance premiums for you.

For Sellers, you can add value to your home by noting those things for your Buyers, in addition to the things that many Realtors commonly note, like the nearest schools, churches, shopping centers, etc.

For Buyers, ask your home inspector if he goes above and beyond a standard home inspection to help you save money in other ways.

For all readers, be proactive in working with your insurance companies. Remember that they might not tell you what discounts you can get because a lower premium can affect their own commissions, so ask them. Don't be afraid to tell them that they might consider offering their customers discounts for things that obviously can limit their liability and claims. You just might be surprised.

*****

My most recent 20 posts (they'll open in a new window)

1. Spring has sprung, and that means.... - 3/23/09
2. Manic Monday pop quiz: 'Tis the season to be jolly, fa-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la - 3/23/09
3. Please welcome my 64th Invitee to ActiveRain - 3/22/09
4. SST (Speechless Sunday with Text): Out of sight, out of mind - 3/22/09
5. Water 101 pop quiz - 3/21/09
6. Insurance 102 - 3/21/09
7. Please welcome another of my Invitees to ActiveRain - 3/20/09
8. Insurance 101 - 3/20/09
9. Chimneys 101 pop quiz - 3/20/09
10. Roofs 101 pop quiz - 3/19/09
11. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): A little disagreement - 3/18/09
12. Fill up with gas before heading to Julian, California - 3/17/09
13. My St. Patrick's Day contribution: Fish tails and palms - 3/17/09
14. Laundry 101 pop quiz - 3/16/09
15. ActiveRain Week In Review, 3/8/09 - 3/15/09 - 3/15/09
16. The Active Rain Week In Review, almost - 3/14/09
17. How to find property investors in your area - 3/13/09
18. It's Friday the 13th. I should probably stay in bed - 3/13/09
19. Not your normal snake iin the attic - 3/12/09
20. A little more about me. Mind if I shed a few tears? - 3/11/09
21. WWW (Wordless Wednesday with Words): I'm just asleep.... - 3/11/09

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