Many homeowner say that they find ways to improve their home that will increase the resale value of the home.

But experts say that there are some ways to improve a home that will actually make homeowner’s insurance cheaper.

Experts say that improving the plumbing, adding a new roof or updating a home's electrical system will reduce the risk of fire or flood damage. Consumer Reports found that this can lower rates with some insurance companies by 2 to 6 percent.

“None of these discounts are huge, but if you do a few of them, they can add up,” says Consumer Reports’ Tobi Stagner.

Stagner says that a home security system can lead to a 5 percent discount as long as it is hooked up to an outside monitor. Some insurers will also throw in a percent or two more if the system includes cameras.

Here in the Northeast, where severe weather is a problem, homeowners can get a discount if they install a backup generator in their homes.

“If you have a built-in generator you can get a discount of up to 10 percent depending on the insurer,” Stagner says. “And the reason they do that is that the generator is going to keep other systems working, like a sump pump.”

But experts say that there are some home improvements that can cause insurance rates to increase. Installing a pool will increase liability. Adding an addition to the home, could make the house more expensive to replace. Both will cause rates to go up.