Think Like a Crook to Save on Your Home and Auto Insurance Premiums

Thinking like a low down, dirty criminal can help save money on home and auto insurance. How so? Well, consider the fact that the more impregnable your home and vehicle are, the lower your homeowner insurance quotes and car insurance quotes will be. Everybody knows that auto insurers give discounts to car owners with alarms, and that homeowners with burglar alarms are given price breaks as well. But taking additional steps to fortify your home and vehicle from the criminal element can bring you even deeper discounts.

• What’s your exterior lighting situation? You can keep both your home and your car safe from those who’d seek to take advantage of the cover of night by shining a bit of light on the risk. If you don’t have a locked garage you can keep your car in overnight, be sure that it’s always parked under an exterior light source like a street lamp. Proximity house lights that turn on anytime someone walks by can also serve to keep both your car and your home protected from intruders.

• Are you an easy target? Remember, you’ve got to think like a thief to keep your home and auto insurance rates low and your possessions safe from strangers. In order to avoid becoming another easy victim, ensure that your key entry points are always secured. Never leave your car unlocked or windows rolled down, even for a few minutes, if it’s going to be out of your sight. Likewise, all ground floor entrances to your home should be locked and well protected against unwanted entry. If you don’t have a deadbolt on your front door, it’s imperative that you get one as soon as possible. Having one can also save you money on home insurance, as you'll see reflected next time you compare homeowner insurance quotes.

• Do you do what you can to deter thieves? Sometimes, putting up a simple sign is enough to deter thieves from trying to break into your home or steal your car. By posting signs on your property and by placing stickers on doors and windows, you can give thieves a heads-up that they’re not going to have an easy time with you. You can also get stickers for your car that you can place in prominent locations to remind crooks not to bother.

Taking matters into your own hands to make yourself less of a target in the eyes of criminals is the best way to avoid becoming a victim. It’s also a great way to save money on your home and auto insurance, as insurers will see you as a far lower risk. Putting yourself into the mindset of a common criminal may not be your cup of tea, but it’s necessary in order to protect your home and car from thieves.