Nobody expects their home to suffer damage, but unfortunately, accidents and the unexpected do happen. When these accidents occur, homeowners often file an insurance claim to cover the cost of repairing or replacing their damaged property. In fact, the Insurance Information Institute (iii) reports one in every 20 insured homes has a claim each year. Experiencing damage to your home can be costly and aggravating, and in some cases may not be covered under your home insurance policy. For example, should you experience a loss due to everyday wear and tear, there is a chance it will not be covered. Taking steps to make simple fixes to areas of your home may prevent major damage and disasters from occurring. Just like a check-up at your Doctor’s office, take some time to check-up on areas of your home and make simple fixes to significantly reduce the chances of a loss occurring. Here are a few areas to look at when conducting your home check-up:
Fix Plumbing issues
Each year, water damage leads to millions of dollars in damages. Common plumbing issues include dripping faucets, low water pressure, running toilet, leaky pipes, or slow or clogged drains. Keep your eye on older appliances and check for leaks or cracks and fix them immediately. Areas such as your toilet, tub, sink, and shower should be re-caulked to avoid leaks, especially if the current is over 5 years old, dried, cracked or missing. Be sure to look at your water heater and make sure it is in proper working order. Consider flushing it out as calcium and sediment may build up in your tank causing it to work harder and less efficiently. Most plumbing issues can be quick fixes you can do on our own, however, be sure to call a professional should you need assistance. Making these changes may not just mitigate a water claim, but may save you some money on your next water utility bill.
Home Fire Prevention
A fire occurring in your home is a very scary thought and can cause devastating damage to your home and belongings. Luckily there are simple steps you can take to prevent a home fire from occurring. Kitchens are a common place for house fires, be sure to keep stovetops and your oven clean, and free of debris. Dryer fires account for roughly 3000 household fires each year due to the vents clogging from lint buildup. You should always clean your lint filter after every wash and remove all lint and debris in your dryer vents once a year. This can be accomplished with the use of a shop vacuum or with the help of a professional. While conducting your home check-up, don’t forget to test your smoke alarms and should any not be working, replace them immediately.
Prevent Injuries from Occurring On Your Property
Your home insurance policy also provides liability coverage should someone be injured on your property. Should someone trip, slip and fall while at your home, you could be responsible for their medical bills and/or legal expenses. Taking preventative measures to stop a possible trip and fall from occurring on your property is always a good idea. Check for areas such as steps, tiles, and patio stones which may be broken or uneven and replace them. Also, install or reinforce hand railings on stairs inside and outside your home, and look for any other areas where hazards may be present.
We understand accidents and disasters can happen when least expected. However, with these tips, you could be able to mitigate some of the risks should the unexpected occur. In the unexpected event your home should fall victim to a disaster occurring, be sure to contact us as soon as it is safe to do so to report damages and file a claim.
