Every homeowner has experienced some sort of problem that will end with an insurance claim. It’s important to know what sort of claims are common and what you need to do to protect yourself from it happening. Follow these next common homeowner’s insurance claims, and hopefully, they will help!
What are the most common homeowner claims?
Water Damage: You may live far from the riverbanks or an ocean, but water damage is one of many common and serious claims that happen all over. Burst pipes, floods, overflowing toilets, and sinks are just a couple of water possible sources. To ensure your policy covers water damage, double-check with your policyholder.
To prevent water damage try:
- Determine how water flows around your house.
- Modify your water valves as needed.
- Keep gutters clean of any debris.
- Repair any leaks you find immediately.
- Waterproof any valuables.
Severe Weather Damage: Having severe weather damage is very expensive, including in the areas that are prone to it. Coastal states experience hurricane winds and hail. States that are further inland face tornadoes, common occurrences like drenches, and harsh winters.
Accidents Happen: You may think your best friend won’t do this but they can, they can sue you if they are injured on your property or on any other friend’s property. That extends your policy’s liability limits if resulting in injury claims expenses max out your policy limits.
Dog Attacks: Falco may not hurt a fly but some odd reason she decides to bite a guest in your home which person has every right to sue. Just like with accident claims, you can end up paying a lot of money, especially when there are children involved. Carry at least $300,000 in liability coverage. This should protect your assets and yourself from other things going wrong.
Fire Damage: All fire damage is devastating. To streamline claims like this and ensure adequate compensation, keep detailed personal property inventories like your values, upgraded information about the house, with receipts, and appraisals. Also, you need to carry sufficient coverage to replace your home and everything that was inside. Make sure to keep all valuable items in a firebox or online, these will safe you time, and your items from not being destroyed.
To prevent fire damage in your home try:
- Regularly inspect and clean your chimney.
- Keep stove clean to prevent grease fires.
- Be alert of fire risks in your home, like extension cords, space heaters, and candles. Remember to not leave these on when you’re not at home.
What to do if you need to file a claim
If you find yourself needing to file a homeowner’s insurance claim, it’s always a good idea to get in touch with your independent agent as soon as you can to make sure everything is in order before filing your claim. This could help get your claim completed faster, so you can start the rebuild process of your home or start the journey of finding your new forever home.
For more information about common insurance claims be sure to talk with your agent at Brazelton Insurance Group, they are more than welcome to sit down with you and take a look at your policy to see what you have covered.