The Top Home Insurance Claims and How to Avoid Them

What if you could save yourself thousands of dollars and a whole lot of stress? 

Even if you have great homeowners insurance, filing a claim is usually a stressful experience that includes plenty of paperwork. On top of that, if you do have to file a claim, your premium is likely to increase afterward. 

Fortunately, there are a few easy ways to keep your house safe and make it less likely you’ll need to use your homeowners insurance. Keep reading to discover the top home insurance claims and how to avoid them! 

Water Damage: Tips to Protect Your Home from Floods and Leaks 

Water damage is one of the top home insurance claims, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s easy for pipes to burst, for washing machines to malfunction, or for toilets to leak. The end result is the same: The water spreads and can cause more damage than you might think. 

In this case, avoiding insurance claims is as simple as improving your house maintenance. Regularly inspect your pipes and insulate outside pipes during colder weather so they don’t burst. Finally, you’ll need to inspect your appliances and your plumbing on a schedule to make sure no flooding accidents occur. 

Burglary: Preventing Break-Ins and Keeping Your Home Secure 

The good news is that burglary and theft are some of the rarest reasons for filing home insurance claims. It’s still scary to imagine someone breaking into your house. With a few easy steps, though, you can reduce the odds of getting burglarized even further. 

Consider installing security cameras inside and outside your house, and be sure to lock all doors and windows when they are not open. Finally, you should turn interior lights on and leave a car parked in the driveway if possible to make people think someone is inside the house when you are on vacation. 

Fire Damage: Tips for Fire Prevention and Safe Use of Home Appliances 

House fires are a very common source of insurance claims. Cooking is the leading cause of home fires in the United States, but fire can also be a result of frayed wires, overcrowded outlets, and other sources of electrical damage inside the house. 

Fire is particularly scary because it causes plenty of damage in a short amount of time. Once again, our best advice to avoid making a claim is to reduce fire risks and increase your ability to detect small problems before they get bigger. Make sure to install smoke alarms and do regular inspections and maintenance of your home heating system. Repair any damaged wires, don’t overcrowd outlets, and unplug your appliances when you aren’t using them. 

Natural Disasters: Preparing for Hurricane, Tornado, and Earthquake Damage 

Natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes are often referred to as “acts of God.” Because of this, many homeowners think there is no way to prepare for the damage caused by these events. On that matter, we have good news and bad news.  

The bad news is that you can’t keep a natural disaster from happening. The good news is that with the right preparation, you can be ready for the damage and potentially keep yourself from having to file a home insurance claim. 

First things first: Your safety and that of your family is paramount. Have a home emergency kit with canned food, water, medicine, batteries, flashlights, and anything else you may need to survive in the event of an emergency.  

Trim trees and other greenery so your roof and windows have less chance of impact during high winds. Inside the house, you need to put away any light objects that might turn into flying projectiles during a tornado, hurricane, or earthquake.  

To avoid such objects and stay safe during these events, make sure you have a safe room to escape to that is as low to the ground as possible. 

The Importance of Routine Maintenance: Preventing Insurance Claims for Wear and Tear 

Most of the time, things like home appliances don’t suddenly break overnight. Instead, they break down due to wear and tear. A malfunctioning washing machine can end up flooding your basement, so it’s fair to say that wear and tear has the potential to cause some serious damage. 

You can avoid having to file home insurance claims by inspecting areas most in danger of damage over time. That means regularly checking on your HVAC system, monitoring your plumbing, inspecting your roof, and cleaning your gutters. If you aren’t skilled enough to inspect or repair the HVAC or plumbing, make sure to have them checked out by someone you trust. 

Don’t Fall Short: Safety Advice for Avoiding Home Insurance Claims Due to Accidents 

Unfortunately, another potential source of future home insurance claims is that someone injures themselves on your property. In those cases, you may need the liability protection of your coverage in order to pay your legal fees and their medical bills. 

To prevent this from happening, make sure to keep your dog leashed around visitors, and consider putting up a warning sign for more aggressive breeds. Pick up toys that anyone might trip on, and make sure to cover or fence off common potential hazards like swimming pools. Finally, make sure you childproof your front yard and consider buying some slip-proof rugs that reduce the odds of anyone slipping while walking. 

Protect Yourself with the Best Home Insurance Available 

Now you know the best ways to avoid having to file a home insurance claim. But do you know where to find the best coverage to protect you if disaster strikes? 

Here at InsureOne, we’re the experts when it comes to protecting families just like yours. When you’re ready to give your family the protection they deserve, we’re always ready for you to get a quote online. Alternatively, you can pick up the phone and give us a quick call at 800-836-2240. Finally, feel free to come into one of our nearby offices at your earliest convenience!