Weather-related damage, accidents and injuries on your property are all reasons to file a claim on your homeowner’s insurance. When you file a qualifying claim, your insurance provider presents you with an indemnity check to repair or rebuild your home. Unfortunately, filing claims can affect the rate you pay for your current policy and future policies for home insurance. If you want to keep costs low, the following are three common claims that you can avoid or reduce the impact of the damage from these events so that you save money on your coverage.
Prevent Theft and Burglary Using Multiple Strategies
One of the most common claims filed by homeowners is theft or burglary. Of course, traditional measures to protect your property can help prevent intruders getting into your home, such as an alarm system and locks on windows and doors. However, you should extend your security features beyond your actual home to prevent intruders from approaching your dwelling. Consider the following options:
• Install a security gate
• Strategically design your landscaping to create obstacles to entry and eliminate hiding places
• Start or join a neighborhood watch
• Install video cameras
All of these measures provide your home with extra security, which discourages burglars from attempting to break into your home.
Avoid and Reduce the Impact of Weather-Related Damage
Hurricanes, tornadoes and windstorms are some of the storms that damage your home’s exterior. From blowing off the siding to destroying entire homes, the damage can be severe and costly. In most cases, you can protect your home by taking steps to reduce the impact of forceful winds and flying debris.
• Shutter windows
• Remove temporary objects for your home’s exterior
• Reinforce your doors
Additional measures that require more work, yet effectively reduce damage, include improving your roof’s bracing and securing your home by anchoring the roof to the foundation.
Thwart the Potential for Water Damage
Leaky, dated pipes can lead to a lot of water damage in a home without the proper maintenance. In addition to damaging your home, damage resulting from water destroys heirlooms and other personal items that hold sentimental value. Fortunately, you can reduce your exposure to water damage by routinely checking your pipes, avoiding placing food and other things down your drains that can backup and by fixing damaged roofs.
Although the list is not exhaustive, following these tips can reduce the likelihood that you’ll need to file claims on your homeowner’s insurance; or at the very least, you can reduce the amount of damage your home sustains during severe weather. You should also speak to an independent agent to get more ideas about protecting your home from damage.
Protect your home from the unforeseen. Call Allen Harmon Insurance at (269) 441-5164 for more information on Battle Creek home insurance.