Simple Ways to Lower Your Homeowners Premium
Home insurance protects one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make, but that doesn’t mean you have to overpay for it. Missouri homeowners have more discount options today than ever before, especially as insurers roll out new credits for smart-home technology. Here’s what to ask about the next time you review your policy.
Bundle Discounts: Still the Biggest Savings Opportunity
If you’re only insuring your home, you’re likely leaving money on the table. Bundling your home and auto policies with the same carrier remains one of the most reliable ways to lower your overall insurance costs, and many Missouri carriers offer savings of 15–25% for doing so.
Bundling isn’t just about the discount, either. Several carriers add extra protection when you combine policies, such as a shared deductible between your home and auto claims, so you’re not paying two separate deductibles if a single event affects both. Beyond auto, some insurers extend bundle pricing to landlord, motorcycle, umbrella, and life insurance policies too. The more policies you consolidate with one company, the more leverage you typically have to negotiate better overall pricing.
As an independent agency, MBG Insurance can compare bundle pricing across multiple carriers rather than just one, so you can see which combination actually saves you the most.
New Discounts for Water and Electrical Monitoring Sensors
This is one of the newer categories of savings, and a lot of homeowners don’t know it exists yet. Insurers have started offering meaningful discounts for smart water-leak detectors and electrical monitoring sensors installed in the home.
- Water sensors detect leaks or abnormal flow near appliances, water heaters, and plumbing lines, and can automatically shut off the water supply before a small leak becomes a major claim. Since water damage is one of the most common and costly homeowner claims, insurers are increasingly willing to discount policies for homes that have this protection in place.
- Electrical monitoring sensors watch for irregular electrical activity that can signal a fire risk, such as arcing or overloaded circuits, and can alert homeowners or shut off power automatically.
If you’ve installed either of these systems, or you’re considering it, ask your agent whether your carrier offers a credit for it. Not every insurer prices these the same way, so this is a good spot where shopping around pays off.
New Roof Discounts
A newer roof continues to be one of the fastest ways to bring down your premium in Missouri. Insurers know that roof age and material are strong predictors of future claims, particularly with the hail and wind damage common in our region.
If you’ve replaced your roof recently, or you’re planning to, let your agent know the installation date and roofing material. Impact-resistant shingles in particular can qualify for an additional discount in many cases, on top of the savings from simply having a newer roof.
Other Updates That Can Lower Your Rate
Beyond roofing, updating other aging systems in your home can help, even when it isn’t labeled as a specific “discount” line item:
- Plumbing: Replacing older galvanized or polybutylene pipes reduces leak risk and can improve how a carrier rates your home.
- Electrical: Updating old fuse boxes, aluminum wiring, or knob-and-tube wiring lowers fire risk and is something nearly every carrier asks about upfront.
- Safety devices: Smoke detectors, monitored security systems, and sprinkler systems can still qualify for a discount on their own, separate from the water and electrical sensor credits above.
Credit-Based Pricing
Many Missouri insurers factor credit history into how they price homeowners policies. It isn’t framed as a traditional “discount,” but it has a real impact on your premium. Carriers view strong credit as one indicator of lower overall risk, alongside claims history and home condition. Credit-based pricing varies significantly from company to company, which is another reason it’s worth comparing multiple carriers rather than assuming your current one is competitive.
Affiliation Discounts
Some carriers offer discounts tied to group affiliations, including military service, employer groups, or alumni associations. These vary widely by company, so it’s worth asking your agent to check what you might qualify for.
Why Work With an Independent Agent
Because MBG Insurance works with multiple carriers rather than one, we can shop your coverage across companies to find where you’ll actually get the best combination of price and protection, including the newer smart-home discounts above that not every carrier prices the same way. As your home and coverage needs change, an independent agent can revisit your policy and make sure you’re not missing savings you’ve since become eligible for.
Ready to see what you qualify for? Contact MBG Insurance today for a free home insurance review.
Author: Jordan Lair Original post: Home Insurance Discounts in Missouri (published 1/2/2018) Rewrite date: August 2026