Top 5 Most Common Homeowners Claims and Tips to Avoid Them

Owning a home is a big commitment, and maintenance can be expensive. Homeowner's insurance is a must, but even when damage to your home is covered under your policy, the deductibles can be a hardship. Today we want to review the Top 5 most Common Homeowner's Claims; we are going to provide tips on how to avoid these costly claims, and how to save some money for yourself.

1. Probably the most common homeowner's claim  is roof damage from wind or storms. Most claims are for a few roof tiles that have blown off in a storm. The cost of repairing these are usually much lower than your deductible.Rather than report this to your insurance company, it is better to call a roofing contractor to get an estimate of what it will cost to repair the roof. If it is less than your deductible, it will be better for you not to notify insurance company of the damage by filing a claim. Just pay to have it repaired immediately to avoid further damage.  

Often, older roofs become brittle and the adhesives weakens so that losing tiles happens regularly. Losing tiles frequently is a warning sign that the roof is wearing out and should be replaced. Also if you notice that shingles are curling or looking bald, these are indications your roof is aging. The most common roofs use asphalt shingles, and can last anywhere between 10-50 years... in short, there is no set rule for how often you should replace your roof. Just be aware of the warning signs that your roof needs some work. 

2. Another common claim situation we see often is hot water heater damage. The hot water heater can wear out and burst.Your homeowners insurance will pay the damage caused by  a bursting water heater but will not pay to replace the water heater itself. 

 Checking the age of the hot water heater and having a plumber check it can save an expensive problem. Any loss of hot water temperature, or if your hot water seems to be running out quickly, should be a warning sign that the hot water heater needs repairing or replacement. If you catch problems before the water heater bursts, you can sometimes replace the hot water heater for less than your deductible and save yourself a big problem with a covered claim.  

3. Both of the aforementioned claims usually result in water damage of some kind. Water damage gets worse if left unattended, so it important to know indicators that damage is occurring. Some common signs are water stains on walls and ceilings, warping floors, damp carpeting, or smells of mold or moisture.  

4. Kitchen fires are another common loss that we see.  Leaving anything cooking without direct view supervision, especially flammable oils from frying, is very dangerous. If you do have a grease fire, remember not to use water to try to put it out because it will only cause the flaming oil to splash and spread. Call the fire department immediately, do not wait for the fire to get worse. If it is safe to do so, turn off the burner and smother the flame with a lid if applicable. Baking soda can be used to put out a grease fire, but it takes quite a bit of baking soda to do this. A fire extinguisher can also be used to put out a grease fire, if you have one. 

Trouble Light

5.Burst water pipes during a freeze are also covered and happen fairly often. By leaving the water dripping(having water actively flowing can help to keep it from freezing) and maintaining heat at a comfortable level you can avoid most problems. In extreme cold, a trouble light placed under house near exposed pipes can prevent pipes from bursting and causing water damage problems. A trouble light can raise the temperature under the house by a few degrees, enough to keep pipes from freezing; however, keeping a trouble light on 24/7 is not recommended, as it can pose as a fire hazard.  

Homeowner's Insurance is great when you really need it, but sometimes it is better to pay for damages yourself rather than filing a claim, depending on the situation. Taking small steps to prevent damage to your home can save you the hassle and the cost of expensive home repairs. We are here to help you, and if you ever have a question about whether to file a claim or not, give us a call!