Customers buy insurance to minimize their risk and make themwhole should a covered loss occur. What many may not understand isthat a number of factors can cause their premiums to skyrocketbefore a covered peril even occurs. Adjusters and claims managershandling the ensuing claims also need to be aware of these possiblered flags and their impact on any settlements.

An up-to-date home inventory complete with photos can be a majorasset to any claim. Encourage owners to take a digital tour ofevery room to record furniture, electronics, antiques, worksof art, family heirlooms and other irreplaceable items in thehome. After a fire or major flood, it can be difficult to identifyvaluable items or their pre-loss condition.

The photos and a detailed inventory should be stored off-site ina safe deposit box or other secure location and copies provided tothe insurance agent to ensure they are added to the appropriatepolicy. Keeping them on the computer at home won't help if thecomputer is destroyed in a fire or stolen in a robbery.

A similar tour of the outside of the home can capture possiblerisks like trees near the house, foundation issues or possibleroofing problems, as well as assets like copper gutters and otheraftermarket finishes that add value to the home.

According to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.), in2012, 97.6% of the claims filed involved property damage, includingtheft, and jewelry was the top claims category under homeownerspolicies in 2011. From 2008-2012, I.I.I. says 7.3% of insured homeshad a claim and the average loss was $8,255.

Here are 10 factors (not in any particular order) that can makea homeowner's property a greater risk to insure.

Pets

Not every dog is man's best friend and some insurers don't takekindly to all breeds. Owning a German shepherd, Great Dane,Siberian husky, Doberman, rottweiler, pit bull, Akita or any otherdog that could be considered aggressive could raise insurancerates. “This isn't only limited to dogs, as exotic animals such astigers, monkeys and others may cause rates to be high, if you caneven get insurance,” says insurance expert Chris Tidball.

Bad credit score

Insurers will look to see if a homeowner has paid her bills ontime and check credit scores. A lower number could result in higherpremiums.

Location, location, location

Just like in real estate, the location of the home really doesmatter. Owners of homes located in Tornado Alley, along coastalFlorida (or any coast for that matter), in a hurricane-prone stateor in an area known for sinkholes can expect to pay more forhomeowners' coverage.

Trampolines

Although exercise is important, some exercise equipment canimpact insurance rates. Trampolines result in approximately 92,000hospital visits each year. Parents frequently are unaware that theycause spinal injuries, fractures and head injuries. Most injuriesare not caused by children flying off the trampoline,but because one child lands on another when they are jumpingor they try something silly like riding a bike and jumping. Doctorsrecommend that only one child at a time be on a trampoline withadequate supervision.

Swimming pools

Another source of higher homeowner insurance rates involvesswimming pools. According to Parents magazine, drowningtakes more than 1,000 lives a year and more than half of theseevents take place in the children's own home and one-third takeplace in the homes of friends and relatives.

Fire concerns

Location also matters when it comes to fire stations. Living toofar away from the local fire hall or a fire hydrant couldraise insurance rates. Of course, a neighbor's pool could be asource of water in an emergency, as well as a nearbypond.

Poor maintenance

Owners who don't keep up with their home maintenance may seetheir rates raised or their homeowners insurance cancelledaltogether. Leaky roofs, old hot water heaters, dripping pipes andpoor water seals are just some of the items to watch out for. In2012, 17.5% of the losses claimed were related to water damage andfreezing pipes.

Weather preparations

Being ill-prepared for bad weather can also impact homeownersinsurance rates. “In some states such as Florida, a homeowner canhave a qualified wind inspection that demonstrates the ability ofthe insured structure to withstand certain force winds, which canresult in a discount,” explains Tidball.

Claim frequency

Insureds who make multiple claims may be viewed as a higher riskand charged accordingly. Damage from a burst pipe, a tree thatlands on the roof, or a kitchen fire on the same property willraise a red flag and cause insurers to take a closerlook.

Neighborhood crime

“Living in a high crime area has been tied to an increase incertain types of claims, such as robbery,” says Tidball. “Rateswill be assessed accordingly.” Approximately one in 190 insuredhomes have a property damage claim related to theft each yearaccording to the I.I.I.

And, based on I.I.I. figures from 2011, rates for homeownersinsurance are highest in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi,and Oklahoma. Idaho, Oregon, Utah, Wisconsin and Washington havethe lowest rates.