The official start date for winter is right around the corner. However, the cold weather has already arrived. If you own your home, now's the time to start worrying about insurance claims. Home insurance claims tend to increase during the winter months. Unfortunately, the more claims you file, the higher your premiums will go, which is what you want to avoid. Here are three steps you can take to avoid home insurance claims this winter.
Insulate Your Pipes
If you haven't taken the time to insulate your pipes, you need to do that right away, especially if you're expecting freezing temperatures this year. Each time your pipes are exposed to a freeze/thaw cycle, your risk for rupture increases. Unfortunately, ruptured pipes can spell disaster for your home, especially if you're not there to turn the water off quickly enough. Once your home is flooded, you'll need to file an insurance claim to take care of the damage. Reduce that risk by insulating all the exposed water pipes in and around your home.
Beware of Hail Damage
Hail is another seasonal problem that can damage your home and lead to the need for an insurance claim. You probably know to check your windows and cars for hail damage. However, you might not realize that you also need to inspect your roof for hail damage as well. In fact, hail can cause considerable damage to your entire roof, including the shingles and underlayment. If you experience hailstorms this winter, and you sustain damage to any portion of your home, you'll need to submit a claim to your insurance company.
Keep an Eye on the Ice Pack
When it comes to winter home insurance claims, don't overlook the problems associated with ice packs. You know to keep your sidewalks clear of ice to avoid personal injury claims against your home insurance. However, you might not realize that there are other ways that ice can lead to claims on your insurance. First, ice that builds up in your gutters can cause significant damage to your roof, especially if the ice becomes too heavy. Second, ice can build up on your trees, causing them to fall. When they fall, they can do considerable damage to your home. To avoid insurance claims associated with ice, keep your gutters clear and prevent ice and snow buildup in your trees.
Don't deal with home insurance claims this winter. Follow the tips provided here to prevent problems that could lead to an insurance claim. Contact your local homeowner's insurance office today for more information and assistance.
Share1 December 2019
