Saving on Maryland Insurance Rates

Maryland offers its residents a number of things, including easy access to major cities like New York and DC and communities rich in culture and history. They also feature some of the highest insurance rates in the country, due in part to a higher cost of living and more expensive home averages.

Another factor that affects both auto and home insurance policies is the crime rate. Baltimore, the largest city in the state, consistently has some of the highest crime rates in the nation. This means the likelihood that your home will be broken into or your car stolen is higher, making your insurance higher as well.

Short of moving, there is not much you can do about this. But you can save on your Maryland insurance rates and make your home and car safer by taking the following precautions:

For the home:

• Install protective devices. Deadbolt locks, motion lights, and even bars on windows can all make your home less likely to be broken into. They can also lower your insurance rates, sometimes up to 15%. These modifications are also easy to do on your own.
• Get a burglar alarm. Another great way to save on your home insurance is to install a burglar alarm. You can also save even more if you get monitoring that runs off a cell phone and not a land line, or that automatically contacts police if the alarm goes off.
• Start a neighborhood watch program. Living in a neighborhood with a Neighborhood Watch Program can also lower your insurance costs, as this type of program has been shown to lower crime. If you don't have one in place, band together with your neighbors or HOA and talk to your local police department about how to get started.

For the car:

• Get a car alarm. Relatively inexpensive to purchase and install, a car alarm can help you save a percentage each month on your car insurance. The same goes with other anti-theft devices, such as The Club.
• Park in the garage. If you have the means and access to it, consider parking your car in a garage or other covered spot. This means your car is less susceptible to not only break-ins and theft, but also the chance that it will be hit while parked on the side of the road.

Find the Best Maryland Insurance Rates
While these measures will help to lower your rates, one of the best ways you can make sure your Maryland insurance rates are the lowest you can get is by shopping around for the best prices. Believe it or not, insurance companies can vary in their premiums by hundreds of dollars, so comparing quotes is the best route for saving. This may sound time consuming, and it is-unless you turn to a site like LocalInsurance.com. Here, you can compare local rates in a matter of minutes without having to call around. That way, you know you are getting the best possible price for your Maryland insurance.