Whether you just bought a new home, are about to or have been living in your current residence for quite a while, it’s always a good idea to evaluate your spending and look for ways to cut costs. One smart place to start is home insurance.

It’s no secret that home owners need to purchase home insurance. To protect your assets, your property and your investment, home insurance is a necessity too important to overlook. What you may not know, however, is that this is an investment where a little investigation goes a long way.

Want to cut your home insurance costs? Here’s how:

1. Compare prices. Sticking with the provider you’ve used for years is fine, as long as it’s the best value. Get quotes from several companies to see which will offer the most competitive price.
2. Change coverage. Did you know that increasing your deductible can change your monthly premium? Since you probably wouldn’t file a claim for something small, raising your deductible makes sense—it gives you the opportunity to get coverage where you’ll need it.
3. Seek discounts. Some discounts are standard: special pricing if you install a security system, lowered costs if you avoid high-risk features like swimming pools and trampolines. Some discounts, though, are available to those who ask: if you’ve been with your provider for a long time without a claim, ask if you can get a discount for that. Similarly, if you’re a new customer, see if there’s a discount for that!
4. Lump policies together. A lot of insurance companies offer discounts for customers who purchase multiple packages. For example, having both car and home insurance through the same provider can mean savings on both policies!

Keep these simple tips in mind, and you’ll be on your way to lower monthly costs!