As you begin shopping for a house to buy, you may want to consider how the house you choose could affect the homeowner's insurance rates you pay. There are a lot of factors used by insurance companies, such as Reinhardt's Insurance Agency, to calculate premiums. Here are three factors related to the house you purchase that will probably affect the amount of money you pay for your insurance coverage.

The neighborhood where the house is located

The area where the house is located can play a huge role in the costs of your home insurance rates, and there are several ways the area can affect your price. The first involves the safety of the location. If the neighborhood is very safe and has a low crime rate, you will pay less than if the house was in an area with a high rate of crime.

A second factor your insurance company will consider is the likelihood of natural disasters causing damage in this area, and this factor is based on two things. The first is the number of claims in recent times for storm damage, and the other factor is the chances of another storm coming through the same area.

If there has never been storm damage in this area, you will pay less than if there had been dozens of claims for storm damage in this neighborhood. In addition, if the risks are low that a storm will cause damage in this area, you will pay less than if the risks were high.

The proximity of the house to a fire department

Insurance companies also factor in a home's location in proximity to the nearest fire department. Houses located near fire departments often get discounts for being close, whereas homes located far from fire departments will pay a little more. This factor exists because it would take less time for the fire department to get to your home to put out a fire if the home was nearby.

The age of the house

The age of the house you buy is also likely to affect the amount you pay for your insurance. Older homes are often considered riskier than newer homes, and there are two main reasons for this. The first reason is that old components in older homes, such as the electrical system, can be dangerous. There is a greater chance of an electrical fire starting when the system is old. The second factor is that older homes may have issues, such as foundational problems or leaks. If you purchase a newer house, you are likely to pay less on home insurance than you would if you bought an older home.

Buying a house is a big event, and the house you choose could greatly affect the rates you pay for your insurance coverage. If you have questions or would like a quote for services, contact a homeowner's insurance company today.