Homeowners insurance costs an average of $1,083 annually across the US — but that number varies widely from state to state. For example, annual premiums in Florida average $2,055, while policyholders in Oregon pay just $574.

It’s difficult to nail down exact policy pricing because multiple factors go into your specific calculation, says Angela Orbann, vice president of personal insurance products at Travelers Insurance. Which state you live in is a big one — coastal homes come with different risks than those located in the Midwest, for example — but your insurer will also consider the size, age and characteristics of your house, prior losses and features that qualify you for discounts or credits.

Insurance companies offer policy discounts in the form of credits or reduced premiums for home upgrades that could minimize the need to file a claim as well as the dollar amount paid out for claims that do come through. Basically, it costs insurers less to reduce premium prices than it does to pay for damages and losses.

Some of these home improvement projects are expensive upfront, which means it could take years for insurance discounts to match what you spend on the upgrade. However, reducing the cost of your insurance is just one of the advantages of making the investment. A new roof or storm-resistant windows, for example, could save you thousands of dollars in damages in the event of a hurricane or hailstorm, while home security can stop a burglar in his tracks.

“These devices are protection that will save you from the pain of a loss, so they’re good preventative measures in addition to making sure you have sufficient insurance coverage,” says Jenny Naughton, executive vice president at Chubb Personal Risk Services.

Here are four upgrades to consider — and how they’ll pay off over time.

HOME SECURITY

A home security system is one of the simplest upgrades homeowners can make to reduce both policy costs and the risk of loss due to burglary, accidents and storms. Home security generally falls under insurance companies’ protective device discounts and may include everything from door sensors and smoke alarms to centrally monitored systems that automatically notify emergency personnel if a problem arises.