The next time you're on a mission to see how you can cut costs around your home, shift your focus to the house itself. By making some changes and talking to your home insurance agent about the changes you've made, it's often possible to reduce your insurance premium significantly. Although the exact reduction in cost will depend on the nature of your policy and the changes you make, it's safe to say that a little creative work -- and a few up-front expenses -- will translate into more money in your pocket in the long term. Here are three changes to explore.

Butt Out

If you're a smoker, you likely already know the health risks associated with this habit. What you might not know, however, is that you can likely reduce your insurance premium by quitting. Even if you're careful about butting out your cigarettes, smoking increases the risk of fire in your home to a degree. Insurance companies know this fact and charge smokers more for their home insurance. Quitting and letting your insurance agent know about this healthy change you've made can lead to a reduction in your insurance premium. Plus, quitting smoking translates into additional cost savings throughout the month.

Increase Your Deductible

Increasing your deductible is worth considering if you have the financial means to do so. Think about the average number of home insurance claims you make over the course of the year. For many people, this number is zero. In this sense, a deductible of $500 or $1,000 doesn't make much of the difference in your daily life, except when it comes to determining the bottom line of your insurance premium. Talk to your agent about the cost savings you would experience from increasing your deductible. If it's significant -- and if you can afford to do so -- this simple change won't inconvenience you but can be smart financially.

Strive For Loyalty

Insurance companies know that people can often save money on their home insurance by shopping around. To dissuade customers from taking their business elsewhere, many companies give discounts for those who show loyalty toward the company. Check your policy paperwork to determine how long you've been with your current insurance provider. If you're close to a milestone -- for example, one year away from five or 10 years -- bringing up this point to your agent might equate to an instant reduction in your premium.

For more information on insurance, contact a professional like Reinhardt's Insurance Agency.