Easy Ways To Reduce Home Insurance Claims This Spring

2024-03-12
By: Advocate Brokerage

 

The start of a new season is the perfect time to get your home in shape for summer. But this means more than wiping down the walls and opening the pool.

Keep reading for a few smart ways to prevent homeowner insurance claims as you prepare for the sunny season.

Inspect the laundry room.

Roughly 3 in 10 homeowners file a claim for water damage each year. While some issues are unpreventable, such as flooding, your laundry room may be at the center of a water disaster unless you take the time to check the hoses (get rid of rubber – braided steel is best) and confirm that your drip pan under your washing machine is in good order.

While you’re there, check the dryer. Clean the filter and vent hose to reduce excess lint, which is one of the leading causes of house fires in the US.

 

Examine caulked and sealed areas.

Take the time each spring to confirm the sealant around your sinks, countertops, windows, and doors is intact. Otherwise, you may find yourself with water damage, which can turn into a pricey claim.

 

Take a top-down approach to exterior maintenance.

There are many potential hazards on the outside of your home as well. Take, for example, your roof. Specifically, the gutters and downspouts. Leaves and debris left over from fall may backlog water during the spring rainy season and lead to leakage. You’ll also want to look for damaged shingles or flashing and have these repaired as soon as possible.

Now is also a great time to have your lawn care crew out to remove any dying limbs from trees and large shrubbery. Clean the yard and fill holes and uneven areas.

 

Take preventative measures.

A few things you can do this season that may reduce homeowner claims include:

• Install a water flow alarm. This can help automatically shut off water for issues, such as burst pipes or leaking dishwashers.
• Invest in a generator. Storms happen, and a generator can keep you up and running when you need electricity the most.
• Update the electrical. If your home or estate was built prior to the 1970s, consider upgrading to copper wire to reduce fire risk. You can also update switches and outlets to minimize fire hazards.

Educating our clients about all of the options available when it comes to protecting your home is of the utmost importance to the entire team at Advocate Brokerage.

Have questions? Contact your insurance Advocate today for other potential “spring cleaning” measures you can take to protect your property all year long at 914-723-7100.