Your home is likely your largest investment, so why wouldn’t you put in a little work now to try to maintain that investment in the future? Many of the things you do to your home to make it safer and more comfortable can also help reduce future homeowner insurance claims.
They say that an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of the cure. When it comes to your home, this simply means that a few quick checks of things like your toilet supply lines, gutters and downspouts, and your HVAC will go a long way toward recognizing potential problems before they become an insurance liability. It’s also beneficial to have your electrical, your appliances, and other major systems checked by a licensed technician each year to ensure they are safe and up to code.
Next up, have a plan. While you cannot prevent Acts of God and nature, you can have a strategy in place for how you will react. This might include having an emergency contact list or a power generator before storm season.
Smart technology can go a long way toward keeping your home safe from threats at all levels. Your security cameras and doorbells, for instance, can deter burglars. You might also install water flow or leak sensors and wireless smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
Make a point to keep the property clean from the outside in. Trim overhanging branches, keep exterior drains clear of leaves and debris, clean up spills immediately, and empty your dryer vent often. Nearly 3,000 house fires begin each year because of lint and debris stuck in the dryer vent outlet. Another preventative fire measure is keeping your propane or charcoal grill stored at least 10 feet from your home or combustible materials. Often times grills are kept under a covered area or close to the house during the winter, but this can easily result in a devastating fire.
If you haven’t lately, consider contacting your local office to review your home insurance policy. Do this annually to update your agent about any updates you may have made to your property and to confirm that you are comfortable with your coverage limits. Now is also a great time to clarify any information, such as deductibles and claims cost, that you don’t fully understand. You may also be able to add or remove coverages as needed.
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This article is for general informational purposes only and is not to be relied upon or used for any particular purpose. Cross Insurance shall not be held responsible in any way for, and specifically disclaims any liability arising out of or in any way connected to, reliance on or use of any of the information contained in this article. The information contained or referenced in this article is not intended to constitute and should not be considered legal, insurance, accounting or other professional advice, nor shall it serve as a substitute for the recipient obtaining such advice. The views expressed in this article are that of its author and do not necessarily represent the views of Cross Financial Corp. and its subsidiaries and affiliates (“Cross Insurance”) or Cross Insurance’s management or shareholders.