Avoid Home Insurance Claims With Spring Cleaning!

2023-03-25
By: Advocate Brokerage

Turn spring cleaning into something more than merely scrubbing every surface in your home. Take the time to fortify your home and in doing so prevent common homeowners’ insurance claims. Investing a little time could help you prevent a future homeowners insurance claim.

• Check the hoses on your washing machine for any signs of wear. If you still have rubber hoses, it is a good idea to upgrade to braided steel hoses. Water damage claims due to washing machine malfunction are one of the most common claims we see.
• Inspect the drip pan under your washing machine. If it looks aged or is cracked, it may be a good time to have it replaced.
• Dryer lint is one of the leading causes of house fires so you will want to make sure your dryer is lint-free. Do a thorough cleaning and be sure to pay attention to the filter as well as the vent hose.
• Take a look at the caulk throughout your home. Cracks in the caulking around sinks and on countertops in the kitchen & bathroom can lead to leaks and water damage.
• Extension cords are meant for temporary use. They can easily overheat and cause fires when overloaded. If you have an extension cord that feels hot to the touch, toss it.
• Examine your window and doors to look for cracks in the caulking. If you find dried-out caulking, you may want to have it replaced. The goal is to keep the water outside your home!
• Take a stroll outside of your home and be on the lookout for tripping hazards. Check for uneven walkways, loose banisters, or stairs that have damage.
• If you can safely do so, check your roof for loose or damaged shingles and call in a professional to make any repairs.
• Clean your gutters & downspouts. Remove any debris so that all water can be properly diverted away from your home.
• If you don’t have a central station burglar and fire alarm, we encourage you to consider having one installed. Should a home fire occur, having your home connected to a central station will save value seconds and prevent the outbreak of fire from turning into a total home loss.
• Consider installing a whole-house water flow alarm to detect water leaks. There are many different options available to accomplish this: there are sensor-based alarms that will automatically shut off your water should a leak be detected, as well as flow-based alarms that will trigger alarms to let you know a leak has been detected. You can find out more information here.
• Consider installing a generator. To weather a storm with minimal damage to your home means maintaining power for as long as possible. We recommend the installation of a permanent generator. Not only could it help you prevent future claims, but most carriers offer a discount on your homeowners’ policy.

Hopefully taking these simple steps will help prevent the need to file a claim. If you have any questions or if the unexpected occurs, know that your insurance advocate is here for you!