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
Whatever Happened to These Rock Stars?
They Created and Performed Some of the Greatest Music of Our Time
Etsy and Ebay and Work From Home Businesses
Signs Your Hobby May Becoming a Home-Based Business
“Do Women Live Longer Than Men?” and Answers to other Other Life Insurance Questions
Interesting Answers to Some Common Life Insurance Questions
How States Determine If You Have Car Insurance
“Trust But Verify” Is the Attitude Most States Take
Are You Asking the Right Questions About Homeowners Insurance?
The Right Answers Often Begin with the Right Questions
Smartphones: How and How Much We Use Them May Surprise You
See How National & Worldwide Trends Compare with Yours
Own a Rental? You May Need Business Insurance
Do You Have the Appropriate Insurance to Cover Your Investment Property?
What is Decreasing Term Life Insurance?
Is Decreasing term Insurance Right For You? Would You Know?
How States Determine If You Have Car Insurance
“Trust But Verify” Is the Attitude Most States Take
One of the Best Buys in Loss Prevention: Renters Insurance
Take Advantage of Affordable Renters Insurance When Leasing