Home insurance premiums can be expensive, costing homeowners on average at least $1,400 to $1,800 a year. Your rates may be more or less for a variety of reasons, such as your home’s size or location and your coverage level. But one thing is sure: certain home improvements—specifically those that protect your home from damage or theft—can qualify you for reduced home insurance premiums. That’s because insurers as a whole prefer to offer discounts on premiums than have to cover costly claims.

Take note, however, that only upgrades you make voluntarily will have the potential to reduce your premium. Fixes that you’re forced to make and then file a claim for, such as a roof replacement, will likely cause your premium to go up.

If you’re interested in making home improvements that could possibly lower your home insurance premium, consider the following projects.

Get storm-resistant windows: Also called impact-resistant windows, these may reduce your  premium by about 10 to 15 percent depending on your location.

Invest in a security system: Even though less than 1 percent of claims are theft related, insurance companies often provide a discount for adding a security system—homeowners who have one pay 2 to 5 percent less on average on their premiums than homeowners who don’t. Among the improvements that could get you a discount include adding a deadbolt, installing smoke alarms, and getting a fully monitored security system that will automatically notify emergency services if there’s a break-in or a fire. If you include an automatic sprinkler system, you could save even more, up to 15 to 20 percent.

Replace your roof: Your roof protects your home by directing water into your gutters and downspouts to keep it from getting in and creating damage. Putting on a new one may lower your premium by 5 to 35 percent, depending on its shape, size, and composition.

Put up storm shutters: If you live in an area where hurricane damage is a possibility, installing storm shutters could not only prevent high winds from shattering your windows but also help you get a discount of up to 10 percent off your premium.

Update home systems: If you own an older home, its aging systems—the wiring, HVAC, and plumbing—could be hazardous to you and your home. Replacing them could both help protect it and earn you a 13 percent discount. You might be able to save even more if you make eco-friendly changes, such as swapping out your old furnace with an energy-efficient one.

If you have made upgrades to your home or plan to make some in the near future, contact your insurance agent or insurer to determine if they can lower your insurance costs—not all insurers offer the same discounts. You may even want to consider shopping various home insurance plans to get the best discounts and rates.