For most Americans, their house is the most valuable asset they will ever own. Yet, of nearly 5,000 homeowners who filed claims after Colorado’s Marshall Fire, 74% lacked enough insurance to rebuild. More than a third fell short by at least a quarter of what their home would cost to replace.

Coverage erodes in place: Rebuild costs climb, the dwelling limit does not always keep up, and the gap goes unnoticed until the estimate comes back higher than the payout.

Insurance is not the only way to protect your property. It is arguably the most important.

1. Home insurance

This insurance protects the house against major losses you can’t easily absorb: a fire, a windstorm, a tree through the roof, or a lawsuit after someone is hurt on your property.

The number that matters is the dwelling limit, what the policy would pay to rebuild. Confirm yours still reflects what it would cost to rebuild the house today, not what you paid for it.

A higher deductible can lower the premium. Bundling with auto or adding security may earn discounts. Rates vary from year to year, so reprice your coverage at renewal rather than letting it roll over.

Take 10 minutes today to shave hundreds of dollars off your home insurance. Compare real-time quotes side by side without dealing with endless spam calls. It is fast, secure, and rated 4.7 stars on Trustpilot. Compare quotes now and lower your home insurance.

2. Home security

Good home security may shave a little off your home insurance. Some of the simplest deterrents are relatively cheap or free: installing insurance-approved locks on doors and windows, actually locking doors and windows, trimming shrubs that hide a window, putting lights on timers, and making an empty house look occupied.

A monitored alarm is a step up and is likely to make the most difference to your home insurance premium. Protect your home around the clock with ADT’s 24/7 professional monitoring, backed by six U.S.-based monitoring centers. Get your free quote today.

3. Home warranty

Every system in a house is on a clock. The furnace, the water heater, the air conditioning, and the dishwasher will give out at some point. A home warranty can make repair bills more predictable for covered items.

Remember that a home warranty is a service contract, not insurance. You pay a recurring premium, which may be monthly or annual, then a smaller charge per repair, and the plan covers the systems and appliances that wear out from normal use.

It may make more sense for an older home, or one with several appliances near the end of their life. The Federal Trade Commission’s guidance lays out the fees, reimbursement caps and exclusions.

One unexpected HVAC, plumbing, or appliance failure could cost you $3,000 or more out of pocket. Most homeowners aren’t prepared for the next breakdown. Protect your budget before disaster strikes. Check your eligibility now.

Where’s your gap?

The worst time to find a gap in your home protection is after the fire, break-in or dead furnace. Insurance, security and warranties address different problems, but they have one thing in common: They work better when you have thought about the risk before you are staring at the bill.

Review what you already have, know what it will and will not cover, and decide which risks you are comfortable carrying yourself. A little preparation now gives you better options than a costly surprise later.