Use lesser-known homeowners insurance discounts and other tricks to save.

Homeowners insurance doesn’t get much attention but it could be costing you more than you think. The good news is insurers offer a lot of discounts and incentives to help you lower your homeowners insurance premium.

1. Raise your deductible

A quick way to lower your premium is to increase your homeowners’ insurance deductible, the amount you pay if you have to file a claim. If you have a $1,000 deductible you could save an average of almost 13% a year by increasing it to $2,500 according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

Raising your deductible puts money in your pocket every month that would have gone to your insurer. Do the math to see if the discount is worth it to you and make sure you have enough saved to cover a bigger out-of-pocket expense if you have to file a claim.

2. Make your home more secure

Even the basics can save you money on home security.

Having a smoke detector, burglar alarm or deadbolt locks on your home can get you a small discount. Having a comprehensive sprinkler system along with an actively monitored fire and burglar alarm can save you even more.

3. Don’t file small claims

You may be tempted to file a claim with your insurer when something small happens. But you may be better off in the long run if you pay out of pocket for these smaller expenses — some insurers offer discounts if you go claim-free for a certain period of time, usually a few years.

How much does filing a claim impact your rates? Filing a claim for wind damage will increase your annual premium by about 9% on average according to a recent NerdWallet analysis. If the damage is minor you may end up paying more in rate increases than the insurer pays for your claim.

4. Ask about other discounts

Unless you ask, you may never know what other savings you’re eligible for. Some insurers offer additional homeowners insurance discounts if:

• You don’t have any smokers living in the house.
• You just bought your home.
• You pay your premium via automatic bank payments.
• You choose paperless billing.
• You work in a specific career, such as teaching, engineering or firefighting.

5. Count home improvements

If you’ve improved your home you may have made yourself eligible for homeowners insurance discounts without even knowing it. Adding features such as storm shutters and impact-resistant roofing — which make your house more difficult to damage — can get you insurance savings. You may also get a discount by upgrading outdated plumbing and electrical systems.

“Ask for a new inspection of your home to get the most out of these discounts,” says Jessica Hanna, APCIA spokesperson.

6. Bundle Your Auto and Home Insurance

Buying auto and home insurance from the same company saves you 5-15% on your home premium according to the Insurance Information Institute. Although it may vary by company, many insurers offer discounts if you buy more than one policy from them.

7. Build your credit score

You may be surprised to find out that your credit score can have a big impact on your home insurance premium. In most states companies can use a credit-based insurance score to determine your rates. If your insurer thinks your credit score is too low — like a FICO score under 630 — you may pay more.

Someone with bad credit would pay 73% more for home insurance than someone with good credit on average, according to NerdWallet’s rate analysis.

If you find your credit score is low, read your credit report to see what’s wrong. You can fix it by making loan payments on time and reducing credit card balances. Learn more about how to build credit.

» MORE: How credit score affects homeowners insurance

8. Get rid of high-risk stuff

Though it may be fun, having something your insurer considers an “attractive nuisance” — think trampolines, swimming pools or playground equipment — can add to your home insurance premium.

An attractive nuisance is something on your property that children could play on. If they get hurt doing so, you could be liable. Because insurers consider this a liability risk, getting rid of those items could save you money on home insurance.

9. Shop around

Rates for the same home insurance coverage can vary greatly from one company to another. Some homeowners could save $1,000 or more a year by finding the cheapest rate, NerdWallet research shows.

Many companies have tools on their websites where you can plug in some basic info and get a home insurance quote. Comparing different companies’ rates will show you if you can save by switching. You can also ask an independent insurance agent or broker to shop around for you.

Not sure where to start? See NerdWallet’s list of cheapest home insurance.

Don’t cut coverage to save money

The one thing we don’t recommend is cutting coverage you need. If you do that and disaster strikes, you’ll be stuck paying out of pocket when it’s time to rebuild your home and replace lost belongings. Learn more about what to do if you can’t afford your home insurance.