Core Insights - Home upgrades can lead to lower home insurance premiums if they enhance safety or security, while certain renovations may increase premiums due to added risk or value [1][2]. Group 1: Home Improvements That Can Lower Insurance Costs - Installing a new roof can reduce homeowners insurance premiums by 5% to 35%, with costs starting at $9,000 [3]. - Upgrading HVAC, plumbing, or electrical systems can lower insurance costs by reducing risks of water leaks and fire damage [4][5]. - Installing a security system can yield discounts, with more significant reductions for comprehensive systems compared to basic ones [5][6]. - Enhancing protection against fire, wind, and water damage through improvements like sump pumps and fire-resistant landscaping can also lead to discounts [7][8]. - Smart home technology, such as smart locks and flood sensors, can qualify homeowners for insurance discounts [8]. - Earthquake retrofitting in prone areas can result in significant discounts, with the California Earthquake Authority offering up to a 25% discount for retrofitted homes built before 1980 [9]. Group 2: Home Improvements That Can Raise Insurance Costs - Adding features like swimming pools, treehouses, or trampolines is likely to increase insurance premiums due to higher injury risks [10][11]. - Establishing a home office or business may necessitate additional liability coverage, impacting insurance costs [13][14]. - Expanding living space or using high-end materials can raise the home's replacement cost, leading to higher premiums [14][15]. - Installing solar panels can increase homeowners insurance rates due to the added replacement cost [16]. - Wood-burning fireplaces or stoves may also raise premiums due to increased fire risk [17].