We're all looking for ways to squeeze Abe these days, and one more way to make that penny squeal is to lower your homeowner's insurance premiums. It's a pain in the neck to shell out money for something you might never need. Let's look at ways to get your costs down, down, down!

Choose your own policy. Don't be swayed by the recommendation of your lender or real estate agent. Even the people you trust, like the contact with your new homeowner's association, can try to sway you on an insurance product because they get a kickback.

On that good old handy and convenient other hand, it's perfectly okay to ask the advice of people you trust. You can also check with your state insurance department. Get a quote from the company that provides your auto insurance; they should give you a discount for multiple policies. Go to the website for your local Better Business Bureau and search for insurance companies. Many insurance agents do not join the BBB but the Bureau will still have a record of complaints filed. From these recommendations and lists, choose three companies and get quotes.

Get a CLUE! If you're still negotiating to buy a home, ask the seller to provide you with a CLUE (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) report. This is a service managed by LexisNexis, and it lets you know about any insurance claims filed against the property within the past five years. It costs about twenty bucks, and only the current owner can request it. It won't lower your current insurance, but it can help you to decide whether to buy a property that has a history of high claims.

Maintain your credit record in good standing. Insurance companies quote you rates based on your credit record. They justify higher rates to people with lower credit scores by rationalizing that if you're a poor credit risk, you're a poor insurance risk. Not fair, say many consumer groups, but at least for now that's the way it is.

Consider carefully what amount of insurance you are seeking. You don't have to insure the land itself. You only need insurance to cover your home, its attachments (garage, shed, etc.), and belongings. And maybe some of your belongings have dropped in value. If you're over-insured, lowering the policy limits will lower your premium.

Check with your insurance agent about any renovations you're making. For example, installing a fireplace can raise your risk rating a great deal if you don't follow your insurance company's guidelines. Don't neglect reporting renovations, because if damage occurs then you won't be covered.

Install hazard devices: Fire alarm, smoke alarm, fire extinguishers. You might even get a discount if you stop smoking. Again, ask your insurance agent. He might recommend shutters if you live in a hurricane area, or certain types of roofing materials if you live in the tornado belt. Burglar alarms or even deadbolts can reduce your premium. But sometimes the reduction in the premium is not as high as the cost of installing safeguard devices, so...we repeat, ask your insurance agent!

Raise your deductible. That's the amount you pay out of pocket in the event of a claim. Maybe you've always chosen the safety net of a low deductible because you don't want to have a big cash layout, but in these days of squeezing every penny you might decide to run with a higher deductible.

See if you qualify for any group rates. Maybe applying through your auto club, rotary, or an organization like AARP will give you a good deal. And, even though we warned you to be careful about advice from your homeowner's association, check and see if there is an agent that handles coverage for a majority of the owners and, consequently, gives better rates.

Pay through automatic deductions from your checking account. Many companies reward you for the ease of automatic debit transactions with a discount on your rates. You can specify the date, and you can even identify a credit card for the transaction if you're afraid you'll forget to have cash in the account on withdrawal day.