Home insurance rates vary for a variety of reasons

SALT LAKE CITY — Many Utahns may be surprised at how certain things they already have may be making their home insurance rates go up.

Some insurance adjusters say many customers have the wrong impression about buying a home insurance policy.

"I think a lot of people think when they buy a policy, it's just (a policy), and it's just like the commercials where you pick a policy off the shelf, and that's it," said Clay Anderson with ASA Insurance.

But he says it's more complicated than that. Many different factors can affect how much a person pays in the end.

If the homeowner has a poodle or a mini-schnauzer, the rate would really only go up if that dog has a history of biting people. But Anderson said some companies have flagged certain kinds of dogs that have a reputation for being aggressive, such as Rottweilers and pit bulls.

"Depending on the individual insurance carrier, they've either said, 'We're going to surcharge for that particular breed,' or, 'We're not going to surcharge for that breed,' or, 'We're just going to not insure you at all if you have that breed,'" Anderson said.

Insuring a home with a trampoline is done differently by every insurance company. Some providers may add a surcharge, while others won't insure that home at all. Plus, some providers won't add any type of surcharge as long as certain safety measures are in place, like locks or gates.

"A home business would make your rate go up because you may have customers come over to your home and there's a possibility of additional trip and fall hazard," Anderson explained.

Here in Utah, homes with a flat roof can be more susceptible to damage. "They can cave in or drip into the house and cause additional damage there," Anderson pointed out. He said some insurance companies may add a surcharge to cover those homes.

Email: pnelson@desnews.com