1. Check to See If You Qualify for Discounts to Lower Your Premium
   It’s always a good idea to save a little money when you can, and asking your Dukes-Moore agent about potential discounts is a great place to start. While premiums are calculated based on the level of risk an insurance company must take to provide you with coverage, there are steps you may be able to take to reduce those risks. For example, installing alarms in your home that alert local authorities to fires or burglary may help to reduce the premium on your homeowners insurance since it can aid in the prevention and mitigation of a fire or break-in. If you have teenagers that are or will be old enough to drive this year, ask your agent about good student discounts, and all drivers may be able to lower their premiums by successfully completing a defensive driving course.
   
   Another way you can lower your premiums would be to raise your deductible- the amount you pay for a loss before your insurance coverage kicks in. Raising your deductible on your auto insurance collision and comprehensive coverage can help bring your rates down.
   
   
2. Make a home inventory
   The reason we all purchase insurance is to help us recover, rebuild and replace after a loss. 2012 saw devastating storms, from tornadoes to hurricanes where thousands of people lost their possessions. Keeping a comprehensive home inventory can help you replace your belongings after a loss, as accurate records will make it less likely that there will be a dispute between you and your insurance company during the claim process. 
3. Find and Fix Gaps in Coverage
   One of the worst experiences you can have when filing a claim after a loss is being told that you don’t have the right coverage. While a Trusted Choice independent insurance agent will work with you to try and eliminate those scenarios, there are also times when your circumstances change, and if you don’t update your insurance coverage accordingly, you might find yourself with a gap in coverage. If you have certain high value items such as jewelry or collectibles, they may not be fully covered under a homeowners policy, despite coverage being available elsewhere under an add-on called a “personal articles floater.” Similarly, in the wake of Sandy and other storms with intense flooding, many homeowners found out that their homeowners insurance doesn’t cover flood losses. Even if your mortgage company doesn’t require it, a flood insurance policy can be an important piece of protection you should investigate.
   
   Speaking with a Dukes-Moore agent can help you identify where there may be potential gaps and they are able to help you obtain the coverage to fill them.

A New Year is a new start, and a time to start over. Committing yourself to these resolutions can help provide you with peace of mind, more protection and, hopefully, a little more money in your wallet to start the year.