Most Common Home Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

While home insurance claims can vary depending on where you live, there are a few common claims that practically every homeowner in the U.S. faces at some point or another. Knowing the most common claims and how to avoid them can help you protect your home from certain risks and reduce the amount of home insurance claims you may file.

Wind and Hail

Wind and hail are common natural incidents throughout the U.S. that can range from light to severe damage. Even low winds can cause damage to your home’s roof while strong winds can uproot trees and send items flying into your home, shattering windows and damaging the structure of the home.

Hail can do a lot of the same, as even small hail can damage your roof or break windows. You can prevent significant damage by investing in a storm door and reinforcing your windows and walls. Also be sure to trim away branches and make sure anything outside is secure before a storm.

Fire

Fires can start for a variety of reasons inside or outside of your home, from accidents in the kitchen to fire caused by lightning strikes. Even a small fire can cause severe damage to your home and its contents, especially if you live far from a fire station and may not receive assistance immediately. This is why homeowners who live farther from water sources or fire stations tend to pay more for home insurance.

It is especially important to make sure your fire alarms are updated and to have a fire extinguisher readily available in the home.

Water Damage

Water damage occurs frequently, but, unfortunately, many home insurance policies do not cover damage caused by flooding. If you live in an area where flooding is common, it is important to compare quotes with insurance providers that offer additional insurance to cover your needs.

Freezing is also a major issue for homes in the winter. Pipes can freeze and burst with sudden changes in the weather.

You can prevent water damage and burst pipes by letting faucets drip in the winter, increasing insulation, sealing doors and windows, clearing gutters and drains and keeping up maintenance. It is especially important to keep up with your roof and foundation, as these areas are the most likely to suffer water damage after or during a storm.

Liability

Home insurance does not only cover your personal belongings and the home itself, but it also protects you and those who live with you from a lawsuit. Liability lawsuits can happen at the most unexpected times and cost thousands of dollars in court fees and settlement costs.

Liability accidents generally occur when someone is injured on your property or their personal property is damaged as a result of you or your family. For example, say you are giving your guests a tour and their child falls down the steps, injuring their head and neck. Their parents rush the child to the hospital and later sue you for the damages. In this case, general liability under home insurance can help provide compensation for the victim’s medical bills as well as protect you from lawsuit expenses.

This can also apply to accidents that occur away from your home’s property. For example, if your child accidentally damages someone else’s property, general liability insurance should cover the incident.

To avoid liability issues at your home, make sure safety measures are set in place, especially if you have amenities such as a pool or a trampoline. Make sure that children are not left unattended.

Property Damage and Theft

Although intentional damage happens less than accidental, it unfortunately does still occur. Theft can often occur while you are away from your home, leaving you without your valuable belongings or a way to replace them.

Thankfully, home insurance covers intentional vandalism and theft by other people. If someone breaks your door while you are at work and steals your jewelry, for example, home insurance should be able to help you with the expenses.

To avoid such damages, it can help to have a security system in place. Even just having a sign in your yard stating that you have a security system can deter would-be thieves. Also make sure to trim away trees from windows to remove easy access and keep each entrance well-lit at night so that there is nowhere to hide.

If you have any questions about how to protect your home with insurance, be sure to speak with your insurance agent today.

Most Common Home Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

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