Find and fix home damages or risk denial of insurance claims
Find it, Fix it!
Did you know, if there are indications that a house was not maintained properly, an insurance company can challenge a damage claim - That's according to P.J. Crowley, vice president of Public Affairs for the Insurance Information Institute.
He also warns, "Insurers look at claims as an indication of future risk. When risk rises to unacceptable levels, insurance costs and deductibles go up. In some instances, policyholders may even have their insurance cancelled."
Many property losses can be reduced or eliminated if problems are caught before they turn into calamities. Mr. Crowley suggests homeowners periodically take time during the year to inspect their homes and perform repairs and routine maintenance, especially when problems could lead to extensive damage if ignored.
A few minutes taken every few months to check for cracked or deteriorating hoses would catch the problem before the weakness develops into a rupture. For example, ruptured washing machine hoses are the number one cause of water damage to homes, accounting for more than $100 million in damage each year.
Here are some other inspection and maintenance tasks that should be performed at least once a year:
- Inspect the seals around sinks, tubs, showers, and toilets.
- Replace broken seals.
- If caulk shows evidence of cracks or mold, remove the old caulk completely.
- Don't apply new caulk over existing caulk.
- Inspect water valves and supply lines to appliances and fixtures.
- Check for leaks and signs of deterioration, replacing parts when necessary.
- Check the water heater for rust or cracks.
- Follow the manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning and draining the appliance.
- Insulate pipes in attics and crawl spaces.
- Check electrical outlets for loose-fitting plugs.
- Don't overload outlets with multi-plug adapters.
- Have your chimney professionally inspected and cleaned once a year.
- Inspect roofs for missing or damaged shingles and loose or weakened flashing.
- Replace or repair damage.
- Trim tree branches away from the roof.
- If your roof is at least 20 years old and shows obvious signs of wear, it should be replaced.
- Keep gutters and downspouts free of leaves and debris. Check for loose or damaged fittings.
Source: Alice Dahglren's AtHome Newsletter
