Property damage claims are among the most frequently made home insurance claims, covering anything other than injuries or deaths, such as broken windows due to trees falling over, or burst pipes from DIY mishaps.
The good news is that many of these claims can be avoided; learn how by checking out our top tips:
1. Faulty Equipment
Faulty equipment refers to any piece of mechanical or electrical machinery with a defect that causes it to malfunction and cause physical or financial harm, sometimes even leading to injuries and even deaths.
Many home insurance claims arise from broken or damaged equipment, and many could have been avoided if such claims had been prevented beforehand. Cooking fires are one of the primary reasons homeowners file insurance claims; to mitigate them you can install a functioning fire extinguisher in the kitchen, conduct regular smoke alarm checks, unplug appliances when not in use, and keep toys away from hallways.
Water damage is another frequent reason for homeowners to file accident and liability claims, with such issues as burst pipes, washing machine malfunctions, or flooding from heavy rains being common sources. But home damage from this source can be prevented by regularly inspecting areas likely to experience water infiltration over time – such as roof and plumbing areas – such as regular roofing inspections as well as insulating outside pipes when temperatures drop further as well as removing items prone to flooding such as trampolines or outdoor furniture from your property.
2. Water Damage
Water damage is one of the most prevalent insurance claims, often stemming from floodwater, burst pipes, or excess rainwater. To lower your risk of this kind of claim, regularly inspect hoses and faucets for wear or tear and consider replacing old plumbing fixtures; additionally, be sure that your sump pump is functioning efficiently; additionally keep an eye on basement/crawl space moisture levels and address any potential problems as soon as they arise.
Fires are one of the primary sources of home insurance claims, often caused by cooking accidents or electrical malfunctions. To reduce the chances of fire in your home, ensure you regularly test smoke detectors and have a fire extinguisher handy. Wind and hail damage is another threat; to lessen its effect, trim trees surrounding your house, as well as ensure downspouts direct water away from the foundation and basement areas. To reduce the chance of wind/hail damage occurring at your property.
3. Fire
Fire damage claims are one of the costliest and most difficult home insurance claims to manage, often having devastating repercussions for homeowners. But there are some key steps you can take that can significantly enhance the outcome of your fire claim.
Document the damage immediately by taking photographs of both the interior and exterior of your property as well as any damaged items, which will help support and expedite your claim process. It’s also essential that you maintain open lines of communication with your insurer; keep copies of email correspondence from them, along with requests that they re-cap phone conversations in follow-up emails from adjusters.
Review the insurance adjuster’s estimate carefully. Initial assessments often miss certain damage or undervalue repairs, which is why it’s wise not to settle for anything less than full compensation for losses.
Employing an experienced advocate is vital to getting you the compensation that is owed to you from insurance claims processes. At United Policyholders, we assist our clients in each stage of this process by evaluating loss estimates, compiling necessary documentation, and negotiating with insurers on your behalf.
4. Burglary & Theft
Burglary conjures images of masked intruders breaking into homes to steal property. Burglary refers to any unauthorized entry into a structure with the intent to commit other criminal acts such as theft, assault, battery, or robbery – whether through smashing glass, bypassing locks, breaching through holes made in walls, or entering via open windows, etc. To be charged with burglary you don’t need complete evidence for prosecution and conviction must not have occurred either!
Even though theft is the greatest fear for homeowners, it only accounts for around two percent of claims on homeowner insurance policies. On the other hand, non-theft property damage claims account for nine percent of total homeowner claims.
To protect against these claims, double-check that doors and windows are locked before leaving your house, even for just a short period. Avoid posting travel plans on social media as this can alert would-be burglars that you’re away and could bring more thieves in your direction. Keep an inventory list of your belongings so police can easily identify stolen items more quickly, such as engraving electronics with their unique identification numbers.
5. Flooding
Flooding is one of the most widespread natural severe weather events in the US and causes billions in damage each year to homes, communities, and infrastructure. Due to climate change, population growth in flood-prone areas, and limited investments in flood risk mitigation and emergency management efforts, flooding is increasing both in frequency and cost every year.
House flooding can occur for various reasons, including leaky pipes, malfunctioning water heaters, and heavy rainfall. Since such damage typically is not covered by homeowners’ policies, musthomeowners purchase flood protection as soon as possible.
Floods can be particularly devastating to low-income residents, those with health or mobility issues, communities of color, and their members. Residents in these vulnerable groups tend to lack flood insurance, transportation during evacuations, or the financial means necessary to rebuild or relocate after flooding strikes, due to structural inequities such as redlining practices and discrimination that have contributed to historical redlining practices as well as environmental hazards that increase social vulnerability to flooding. More effective policies must address these trends and decrease social vulnerability to flooding; click here to learn more. If you need any assistance protecting your home against storms, fire or any other disasters don’t hesitate to contact True Builders today – we offer solutions.
