Home, Sweet, Home
Homeowners: You just invested in a place to rest your head and create endless memories with your family. While you spend the next couple of decades paying off your home loan, there are preventative measures you can take against pesky neighbors and Mother Nature. Maybe you enjoy surprises—but not the ones that create the need to file an insurance claim on your home. According to the Insurance Information Institute, about 1 in 15 insured homes has a claim each year. Here are the most common causes of claims made, and preventative measures against them.
| Cause | Prevention |
| 1. Fire damage | 1. Avoid all fire hazards. Keep watch on burning candles, remove clutter around your stovetop, avoid using appliances with frayed cords. Be careful with fires and be sure to dispose of ashes outdoors in a metal, lidded can. |
| 2. Thieves | 2. A security system is your best bet to prevent break-ins and save you cash on home insurance. Also, simply make sure your home is locked—both doors and windows. Keep your small, valuable assets in a safe. |
| 3. Exterior Wind/Hail Damage | 3. Keep your foliage trimmed to help prevent breakage of limbs on a windy day. During a storm, double-check your yard to make sure all loose items such as outdoor furniture and toys are stored in a garage/shed to prevent flying objects damaging your home. |
| 4. Other weather-related damage | 4. Keep your gutters clean. Do not pour grease down your sink to prevent clogged pipes leading to floods in your home. Investigate leaks as soon as you notice them. |
| 5. Vandalism/Mischief | 5. Some things are out of your control—eggings, others’ pets digging up your garden, spray paint, whatever the case, keeping a video surveillance of outside your home can scare off neighbors. |
By: KayLynn
Do you have questions about your insurance? Find an insurance agent near you with our Agent Finder
Search All Blogs
Read More Blogs
Your Car’s Health Check: A DIY Guide to Safety and Maintenance
Simple DIY car checks for safety and maintenance.
Budget-Friendly Home Upgrades: 4 Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value and Appeal
Boost home value on a budget with these 4 DIY upgrades.
From Cutting-Edge to Clutter: Modern Antiques Hiding in Your Home
Uncover the surprising “antiques” in your tech drawer.
Unlocking Customer Loyalty with Smart Data
Turn customer data into your business superpower.
Is There an Age Limit for Life Insurance? Understanding Your Options
The truth about age and life insurance eligibility.
5 Automotive Icons That Sounded Destined for Greatness
Uncover the powerful names behind legendary cars.
7 Surprising Facts You Didn’t Know About Home Insurance
Unexpected insights into the world of home and renters insurance.
Still Living in the Stone Age? 7 Signs You’re Resisting Technology
Uncover your tech resistance and unlock modern convenience!
Beyond the Basics: 3 Unexpected Ways Business Insurance Protects Your Company
Unlock hidden benefits of smart business insurance.
Uncovering Life Insurance’s Most Intriguing Questions
Dig deeper into life insurance with these uncommon questions.