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If you’ve ever been intrigued by the concept of “going green” but haven’t acted on it, the benefits of a green homeowners insurance policy might be enough for you to finally pull the trigger. By investing in one, you can actually save money on your homeowners insurance premium. If your home is already fitted with solar panels or was built with environmentally conscious materials, chances are then you are eligible for a discount. Fireman’s Fund Insurance Co., a company innovating the green homeowners insurance surge throughout the country, offers its customers a five percent discount for homes already considered green by the Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design, or LEED.

To find other companies like Fireman’s Fun Insurance Co. that offer its customers a green homeowners insurance policy, jump online and compare homeowners insurance quotes today. You’ll be surprised by how many insurance companies are joining in the phenomena that is “going green.”

There are two different types of green policies offered to owners of two different kinds of homes:

1. LEED-certified homes. Offered to homes that are proven “green” by LEED, this policy uses a rating system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council and is universally recognized as the standard in environmentally conscious building. Several homeowners insurance carriers offer discounts to owners of these homes.
2. Eco-rebuild. If you don’t own a LEED-certified home, then this policy is for you. If your home is ever damaged or destroyed, it will be rebuilt with environmentally conscious materials. This policy is available as a rider to your existing homeowners insurance policy for usually around two percent of your annual premium.

Inquire About a Green Homeowners Insurance Policy

Whoever thought you could save the environment and money on your home insurance at the same time? By investing in a green homeowners insurance policy, you are joining a cause worth fighting for. While Fireman’s Fun Insurance Co. is a notable name in the green insurance company market, it is not the only one. Go to InsuranceAgents.com and compare home insurance quotes to see if you qualify for any other discounts from other home insurance companies.  Also, read Go Green And Save On Your Homeowners Insurance for more information.

Going “green” is a very hot trend right now and before you decide to install home solar panels, it’s important you understand how that choice will affect your homeowners insurance. Becoming more environmentally friendly is a great cause and finding ways to cut your carbon footprint can really impact the environment, but keep in mind how they will impact your wallet as well.

Home Solar Panels and Your Homeowners Insurance Rates

The majority of homeowners insurance companies will cover homes that have pre-existing solar panels or if you are installing new ones in the future. Two points to keep in mind would be that your premium may actually decrease with some companies as they view environmentally conscious people as being lower risk (tend to not be smokers, therefore the risk of fires drops significantly). However, some homeowners insurance companies view the installation of home solar panels as a significant increase in the replacement value of the home, therefore, they will raise your premium.

If done with the right insurance company, your savings from electricity, possibly tax incentives from state and federal government, and lower premiums could actually offset the price of installing the panels. You should check with your insurance agent and find out whether or not your homeowners insurance company has favorable or unfavorable policies toward the installation of home solar panels.

Potential Damages to Your Roof and Weather Risks

The most important thing you can do after picking the right type of home solar panels, is finding a highly experienced and professional installation company. One sure way to increase your premiums is to damage your roof during the process of installation or install them incorrectly.

Also, it’s very important you factor in the risk of weather damage to your panels as well. Ask your installation company about the success of installations they have done in the local area. Find out if roof and panel damage is common, because if it is you could face dramatically higher homeowners insurance premiums.

Find the Right Policy to Cover a Home Solar Panel Install

Home solar panels can be a great way to help the environment, save money on electricity, and potentially save money on your homeowners insurance rates as well.

Read the InsuranceAgents.com article, “How Do Home Solar Panels Affect Homeowners Insurance?”  or receive homeowners insurance quotes from up to five local agents