If you own a home, homeowner’s insurance is one of the financial burdens you just have to put up with. But following a few simple steps can bring this burden to a manageable level.

Here are some tips on how to save on homeowner’s insurance:

Shop around. Comparison shopping for policies could take some time, but it could also save you serious money. There are dozens of homeowner’s insurance comparison websites around to make this task easier.

Increase your deductible. If you are comfortable with a bit more money coming out of your pocket in the event of a natural disaster or other damage to your building, increasing your deductible to over $1,000 can save you as much as 25% on your policy.

Get your rebuilding costs right. You should not be insuring your home for its full value, which includes both the home’s structure and the land it sits on. When calculating rebuilding costs, only include the value of the structure itself, not the land.

Improve your house’s security. Intstalling burglar alarms, smoke detectors, and dead-bolt locks can cut your homeowner’s insurance premium by over 15%.

Ask for discounts. Most insurers have a variety of discounts available, such as if you are over 55 or have an auto insurance policy with the same company. be sure to ask what’s available when shopping for a policy.

With a bit of planning you can get a great homeowner’s insurance policy without paying an arm and a leg for it.