When you go shopping for a house, there are many factors we remember to consider. We think about the commute to work, the price of the house, how safe the neighborhood is, and perhaps the quality of the schools. We may climb in the attic, have the foundation checked for cracks and inspect for termites. Home buyers may compare price per square foot and property taxes. After all, this all affects the value of the house. When reviewing all the costs of home ownership, the house insurance is often overlooked. Yet this is crucial, for you cannot get a home mortgage without one. And house insurance is what protects the greatest investment most of use ever make - the house! When house hunting, take into effect not just the price of the house but its maintenance cost. If there is foundation damage that may warrant a later Household Insurance claim, the insurance on the house may sky rocket as a result. The age of the house can also drive up the insurance rate. Any homes over 40 years old automatically get hit with higher rates. Ditto for homes with aluminum wiring or in flood plains. So when determining how much house you can afford and whether or not you want it, factor in the house insurance cost. Otherwise, you could be blindsided with the cost of coverage from what was to be the very shelter from the storms of life.