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
Interesting Origins of Rock N Roll Band Names
You May Know Some and Others May Have Been a Mystery
Expert Guidance and Your Small Business
Some Free Expert Guidance May Just Be a Phone Call Away
Pre-Planning Doesn’t Require Pre-Paying
You Don’t Have to Wait Until You Are Financially Ready to Pre-Plan Final Services
Fear of Fire: How Flames Have Caused Destruction Across America
Early Fires in America Were Often Devastating
America’s Castles
Amazing Mansions and Estates from Around the Country
Seven “Must Do’s” When Visiting Florida
There is Much More to Florida Than Roller Coasters and Beaches
How to Handle Negative Online Feedback
Your Online Reputation is Valuable and Worth Managing
How to Encourage Kids to Have Healthier Eating Habits
They May Not Eat Perfectly But They Certainly Can Eat Better
How Are Your Driving Skills?
Is It Just All the Other Drivers Who Are Unsafe?
Making Your House More Toddler Safe
The Joys of Playing Hockey Goalie with Your Two-Year Old