Barndominiums often feature expansive open interiors, like this combined living and kitchen space, which can be efficient to build and insure, thanks to modern materials. The good news for Tennessee barndominium owners is that insuring a barndominium can be less expensive than insuring a traditional home of the same size. Durable metal construction and simpler finishes in some barndos can keep insurance costs reasonable. However, that doesn’t mean you should settle for the first quote you get. Smart homeowners always look for ways to save money, and barndominium owners are no exception.
Whether you’ve just finished building your dream “barndo” or you’re looking to trim your ongoing costs, here are the top five hacks to score affordable barndominium insurance – without sacrificing the quality of your coverage.
Bundle Your Policies to Maximize Discounts – One of the quickest ways to reduce your insurance costs is by bundling your barndominium insurance with other policies, such as auto, umbrella liability, or farm equipment coverage, if applicable. Insurance companies want more of your business, and they reward you with multi-policy discounts when you place multiple policies with them. How much can you save? Tennessee homeowners who bundle home and auto insurance save around 16% on their combined premiums on average. In dollar terms, that could be $400–$700 (or more) back in your pocket each year just for using the same insurer for both policies. Many insurers advertise home-auto bundle savings in the 5–15% range, and our local experience aligns with this.
Hack in action: When getting quotes for your barndominium, always get a quote for auto insurance (and any other coverages you carry) from the same agent or company. Often, the bundled rate for both policies will be significantly cheaper than having separate companies for home and car. This not only saves money but also simplifies your life – one bill, one renewal date, and a single point of contact for all your insurance needs. If you already have a barndo policy, ask your agent to re-quote your autos with the same insurer, or vice versa. And if you work with an independent agent like Hutsenpiller Insurance, they can shop several carriers to find which one offers the best bundle deal for your situation. It’s an easy win for your wallet, with no downside, as long as both the home and auto coverage remain high-quality.
Upgrade Security and Safety Features for Premium Credits – Barndominiums are often solidly built, but you can still boost your home’s safety to earn insurance discounts. Insurance companies love risk-reduction measures – if you make your barndo safer, they’ll often lower your premium. Adding specific protective devices can cut premiums by 15–25% in some cases. Here are a few upgrades and improvements that can pay for themselves through insurance savings (not to mention protect your family and property):
Monitored Security System: Installing a centrally monitored burglar alarm or security cameras can deter theft and vandalism. Many insurers offer discounts for alarm systems.
Fire Protection: Barndos in rural areas might be at higher risk for fire (due to longer fire department response). Consider adding smoke detectors in all areas (living and barn space), heat sensors in workshops, and even a sprinkler system if feasible. At a minimum, keep fire extinguishers handy. These measures can lead to lower fire insurance rates.
Storm Hardening: While your barndominium likely has a sturdy metal roof, you can further fortify it with features like impact-resistant roofing materials or storm shutters on any large windows. Such upgrades can qualify you for credits, especially in storm-prone parts of Tennessee.
Deadbolts and Smart Locks: Upgrading door locks (and even adding smart-home monitoring) can sometimes earn a small discount and will improve your security regardless.
Before you make upgrades, ask your insurer or agent which safety improvements yield discounts under your policy. Keep receipts or certificates for alarm systems, as your provider may ask for proof.
Hack in action: Say you spend a few hundred dollars on a new security system for your barndo. If it saves you, for example, 10% on your $2,000/year insurance, that’s $200 a year saved – the system could pay for itself in just a couple of years and you get the benefit of a safer home. Similarly, features like a metal roof (common on barndos) already help; make sure your insurer knows if your roof is more hail-resistant than standard shingles, as some give credits for that. In short, invest in safety and let your insurance company reward you for it. It’s a win-win: you reduce the chance of costly damage, and you get a cheaper rate for being proactive.
Raise Your Deductible (Strategically) to Lower Premiums – The deductible is the amount you agree to pay out-of-pocket on a claim before insurance kicks in. Choosing a higher deductible is a tried-and-true strategy to shrink your annual premium. For homeowners insurance in general, increasing your deductible from, say, $500 to $1,000 or $2,500 can lead to significant savings, often in the range of 10% to 25% off your premium. Why? Because you’re agreeing to shoulder a bit more of the risk, so the insurer charges you less.
Hack in action: Consider how you would handle minor damages. Barndominium owners, particularly those with some DIY expertise, may be comfortable paying for small fixes (such as a broken window or minor roof repair) without filing a claim. If that sounds like you, a higher deductible makes sense. For example, doubling a deductible from $500 to $1,000 could save you up to 25% on premiums. On a $1,500/year policy, that’s $375 saved each year. In just a few years of no claims, you come out way ahead. Of course, you should choose a deductible amount you can afford at any time. Set aside an emergency fund equal to your deductible, so you’re prepared. The idea is to use insurance for large losses while self-insuring for small ones. Many barndo owners find that their sturdy metal construction and simple finishes mean they have fewer small claims anyway – steel siding isn’t easily damaged by minor incidents, for instance. Raising the deductible can be a sensible way to keep premiums affordable. Be sure to discuss it with your agent to understand the premium trade-offs at different deductible levels and find the sweet spot that balances risk and savings for you.
Keep a Clean Claims Record (and Mind Your Credit) – This hack is more about long-term savings: insurance companies heavily factor your claims history (and often your credit score) into pricing. If you file frequent claims, your premiums will climb – and fast. On the flip side, maintaining a claims-free record for several years can earn you significant discounts. In Tennessee, data shows that a homeowner with one claim in the past five years pays roughly $385 more per year on average than someone with no claims; two claims bump that difference to around $684 more per year. Those extra costs stick around for years (usually 3-5 years per claim on your record).
Hack in action: Think twice before filing a claim for minor damage. If a windstorm causes $700 of cosmetic damage to your barndo’s siding, and your deductible is $500, it might not be worth a $200 payout if it could raise your premium by hundreds for years to come. By handling small repairs yourself, you keep your claims-free streak intact and likely qualify for a claims-free discount from your insurer. Many companies start applying discounts after 3-5 years without claims – some knock off 5% or more as a reward for low-risk behavior. This goes hand-in-hand with hack #3: a higher deductible naturally encourages you to save insurance for when you really need it. Along with avoiding claims, it’s also wise to maintain good credit. It may not be widely known, but credit rating is one of the most significant factors influencing home insurance premiums in Tennessee. Homeowners with poor credit can pay dramatically more – in some scenarios, thousands more per year – than those with excellent credit. While improving credit is a broader financial goal, it’s worth noting that paying bills on time and reducing debt isn’t just good for loan rates; it could also make your insurance cheaper. The bottom line: treat your insurance like the safety net it’s meant to be (for major events), and you’ll be rewarded with lower rates over time. Being a responsible homeowner, cautious with claims, and financially solid, makes you an attractive customer to insurers, which means more affordable premiums.
Regularly Review and Customize Your Coverage (Don’t Pay for What You Don’t Need) – Insurance isn’t “set it and forget it.” A savvy barndominium owner reviews their policy at least once a year to identify any unnecessary coverages or new discounts. One mistake folks make is blindly renewing their policy without checking if their circumstances have changed. You might be paying for coverage that no longer applies, or missing out on new discounts you didn’t know about.
Hack in action: Take a fine-tooth comb to your policy declarations page. Do you have any add-ons or endorsements you no longer need? For example, if you initially added an endorsement for expensive farm equipment but later sold that tractor, update your policy to remove that coverage (and cost). Or perhaps you had extra coverage for a home-based business in your barndo’s workshop, but now you’ve stopped operating that side gig – you shouldn’t keep paying for that either. Conversely, make sure you’re getting all the discounts you qualify for. Did you recently install a smart home security system or a fire alarm? Notify your insurer and see if that earns a credit (often it will). Another angle: consider the actual cash value vs. replacement cost decision for certain items. If your budget is really tight, you might opt to insure some things at actual cash value (cheaper premium) knowing you’ll cover depreciation out of pocket if there’s a loss. Or maybe you have an old barn on the property you don’t need covered at full value – you could save by excluding or reducing coverage on such outbuildings if replacing them isn’t a priority. Also, shop around periodically – not all companies rate barndominiums the same. One insurer might have introduced a new discount or a more favorable rating plan for barndos since you last checked. It never hurts to get a fresh set of quotes every couple of years. In fact, loyalty can be a double-edged sword: some insurers reward it with small discounts, but others might gradually raise rates knowing many people don’t compare prices. By checking the market, you either find a better deal or gain leverage to ask your current insurer for a rate review. Most importantly, involve your insurance agent in these annual checkups – a great independent agent (like Hutsenpiller Insurance) will proactively help adjust your coverage to fit your current needs and budget. They might spot that, say, you don’t really need that optional sewer backup coverage if you’re on a septic system in your barndo, or they might suggest a different insurer that offers a new protective device discount that you qualify for now. Continually aligning your coverage with your life ensures you’re not paying a penny more than necessary for solid protection.
Save Money, Stay Protected: By using these five hacks, Tennessee barndominium owners can often secure robust insurance coverage at a budget-friendly price. The key is being proactive and informed. Combining policies, fortifying your home, adjusting deductibles, managing your claims, and fine-tuning coverage are all levers that can significantly reduce your premium. And none of these require sacrificing the quality of your insurance – you’re essentially eliminating waste and gaining rewards for responsible behavior. Remember, an independent insurance agent can be your best ally in this process. At Hutsenpiller Insurance, for example, we routinely review our clients’ policies to hunt for new discounts and better deals, so you don’t have to do the heavy lifting alone. Barndominiums already often boast cost advantages (you get a lot of house for the money), and with the tips above, you can extend that cost-effectiveness to your insurance as well. Enjoy your roomy, rustic-chic barndo lifestyle with the peace of mind that you’re well insured and saving money at the same time. After all, the less you spend on insurance, the more you can invest in making your barndominium an even more amazing home for you and your family. Happy savings and happy barndo living!