If you have ever come home to find that someone has broken into your home and ransacked it, you probably understand how devastating this can be. Fortunately, though, if you had homeowner's insurance, you probably had coverage for the damage and losses you experienced from this event. If you want to avoid ever having to file a claim again for a break-in and if you want to keep your insurance rates lower, here are some tips to help you prevent this from happening.

Make sure you have secure locks

The first thing you should do is make sure that every exterior door on your home is secure with good locks. Replacing your locks is a good idea, if any are loose or unsecure, and you may also want to install deadbolts on all your exterior doors. Most insurance companies give discounts when homeowners install extra locks on their doors.

Install some type of security system

Secondly, you can prevent break-ins by installing a security system on your home, and there are many types to choose from. Today, you can buy your own cameras and set them up to alert your cellphone, if they detect movement. This is an affordable way to protect your home and keep an eye on it while you are not there and can result in a discount on your home insurance.

Have someone check your home, if you are gone for more than a day

If you ever plan to go away for more than a day or two, you should line up a close friend, relative, or neighbor to go to your home to check on it. Homes are more likely to experience a break-in, if they are left empty for extended periods of time. If there is someone dropping by from time to time, anyone watching your house would probably think twice about breaking into it. While this will not give you a discount on your policy, it can give you peace of mind.

Keep some lights on and all window treatments closed

Finally, it is always a good idea to close all your window treatments when you are not home and keep some lights on. You can even buy a device that will turn your lights on for you at a certain time, or you could install smart home features that allow you to do this remotely.

Keeping your home safe through these methods may help you feel more secure while you are at home and can also help you keep your insurance costs lower. Many insurance companies offer discounts for homes that have security systems and hardware in them. You can learn more about this by talking to an agent in your city.