Insurers price a home partly on its age and condition, and they rely on the information in your file. If you replaced the roof, updated the electrical panel, swapped out old plumbing or installed a new heating system, your home may now be a lower risk than the company thinks. Those details rarely update on their own.

Improvements that may matter include a newer or more weather-resistant roof, modern wiring, updated pipes, a monitored alarm, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, deadbolts, and water leak sensors or automatic shutoff valves. Not every insurer gives credit for every upgrade, and what counts can vary by company and by state, so it is worth asking specifically.

Gather what you can before you call, such as invoices, permits or photos showing the work and when it was done. Ask whether any of the changes qualify for a discount or a better rating. Keep in mind that some upgrades also affect your rebuilding cost, so ask whether your dwelling coverage should be adjusted at the same time.