How To Prevent Insurance Claims By Preparing For Fall
When I let the dog out this morning at 5:30am, it was 56°. Oh and windy.
Did I mention it was cold and windy?
The leaves have started turning and falling. Autumn is here.
Now let’s get your house ready for cold weather.
If you don’t prepare your home properly it could turn into a hefty insurance claim. We want to make sure you prevent that happening.
- Clean your gutters: Removing leaves and debris from your gutters will help keep your drainpipe from clogging and causing any sort of water backup. If there is a clog or water backup and the drainpipe freezes this could lead to water damage inside your home. INSURANCE CLAIM.
- Check for drafts: To keep your heating bill down, check the caulking and seals around your doors and windows. Drafty doors and windows can quickly increase that heating bill. Plus, an overworked heating system could break down and fail just when you need it most. INSURANCE CLAIM.
- Replace batteries in smoke and CO2 detectors: This should be done at least twice a year. In addition, both detectors should be tested to ensure they are working properly.
- Inspect your roof: Checking the roof for loose, damage or missing shingles is very important. This can cause water to leak in and cause a significant amount of damage to your home if not addressed. INSURANCE CLAIM.
- Clean your chimney and fireplace: Your chimney should be professionally cleaned and inspected at least once a year. Any wood or ash should be removed. You’ll want to make sure that the dampers are completely closed when not in use to reduce air drafts.
- Drain your water heater: To keep your water heater running at optimal efficiency, you’ll want to drain your tank and clean out any debris that may have settled at the bottom of the tank. A broken down water heater could cut off the heat to your home. Potentially leading the pipes to freeze. INSURANCE CLAIM.
- Shut off outdoor faucets: Draining your garden hoses and disconnecting them will help reduce the chances water backing up into your indoor pipes and freezing. The faucets should be turned off and hoses should be hung up to dry.
Each one of these bullets can help prevent an insurance claim. These are small things you can check off to help save BIG on your insurance. The less claims you submit, the lower your premium will be. This might also be a great time to go over your policy with your agent. It's always good to have a clear understanding of what your policy covers.