To save on your homeowners insurance:

Shop around. Contact several insurance companies and agencies to discuss coverage and costs. Make sure to provide the same information to those companies you contact including the description of your home (age, type of construction, etc.); security devices, if applicable; types of coverages and limits you want; and extra coverages you may want such as earthquake or sewer drain backup, an umbrella policy, coverage for collectibles or fine jewelry, or a flood insurance policy.

Protect your home against typical perils. By preventing losses and claims against your policy, you can help to keep the cost of insurance down. These include:

• Keep fire extinguishers in fire prone areas such as the kitchen, laundry and garage.
• Replace old, faulty wiring and make sure to tell your insurer.
• Regularly check your roof, down spouts and water pipes for clogs or leaks.
• Discourage crime by using exterior lights at night, install dead bolt locks on all doors and use timers on inside lamps and lights.
• Keep your property safe. Repair loose railings, steps or walkways.

Raise your deductibles. By raising your policy's deductible, you're responsible for smaller losses, not your insurer, thus lowering your premium and chances for frequent claims.

Review your policy annually. Make sure the information is correct and up to date. For instance, brick or masonry is less expensive to insure than a frame structured home (except for earthquake insurance). Double-check the information regarding how far your home is from a water source such as a fire hydrant or a retention pond, as well as the location of the nearest fire station. If you've insured an item separately and it's depreciated, reduce the floater amount and pocket the difference.

Buy all insurance products from the same source. Companies or agencies that provide insurance for your home, auto, life and/or health offer multiple policy discounts of 5-15%.

Don't over insure. Your land is included in your home's market value, so don't include it when deciding how much insurance to buy. If you do, you'll wind up paying higher premiums.

Opt for guaranteed replacement cost. Although it costs more, you're better off if faced with a major loss. A replacement cost policy pays to replace the damaged property or loss, regardless of the age and condition of the damaged property, with materials of similar kind and quality. An "actual cash value" policy provides reimbursement at the loss' depreciated value.

Contact the Ohio Department of Insurance for a homeowners insurance shopper's guide. In it you'll find all types of information, including overage premiums for various parts of the state. Call 1-800-686-1526 for a free copy.

Avoid frivolous claims. Submitting a claim after years of paying premiums is justifiable, but frequent claims may mark you as a high risk. Consider paying for smaller claims and filing for losses that are not affordable.

Cover your home office. Don't assume automatic coverage. Premiums can run as little as an extra $20 and can protect business risks.

Don't smoke. It causes over 23,000 residential fires annually. Some insurers offer premium incentives if none of the residents smoke.