Updated April 8, 2022 . AmFam Team
Unexpected home repairs can get very expensive very fast. You can't always plan for every possibility — and that's why having the right homeowners insurance is a smart move. It can help cover expensive damage to your home caused by unexpected events.
And while it’s important to have protection in place for your family and home, taking proactive steps to keep claims at bay is always a smart move too.
Check out our list of four common events and hazards that can lead to homeowners insurance claims and specific ways to help prevent them.
Fires happen to even the most careful homeowners, often resulting in costly damage. According to the Insurance Information Institution (Opens in a new tab), fire and lightning top the list of most expensive insurance claims at an average of nearly $80,000.
Protect your home from common fire risks by keeping the following prevention tips in mind:
Wind and hail can do direct damage to your roof, windows, doors and other parts of your home. They also have the power to hurl dangerous objects at your home and cause trees or power lines to fall on it. Damage from wind or hail is the most common reason homeowners file insurance claims. In fact, the Insurance Information Institution (Opens in a new tab) reports that each year about one out of 40 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind or hail.
Since wind and hail are the main causes of damage to roofs, having replacement cost coverage (RCV) for your roof is in your best interest. RCV coverage reimburses you for the full amount it would cost to repair or replace your roof. Meaning, typically, you wouldn’t have to pay more than your deductible for repairs or replacement in the event of a wind and hail claim.
Keep reading to learn more about homeowners insurance for roof replacement.
There’s no way to totally wind- and hail-proof your home, but these home maintenance tips can help make damage less likely and less costly:
Was your home damaged in a storm? Read our tips on how to find potential wind or hail damage that can be difficult to see.
An outdoor pool is a great home feature — an indoor pool of water that has leaked through your ceilings, walls and floors is not.
Faulty pipes are the most common cause of water damage to your home. But whether you're covered or not can depend on some key factors. For sudden water line bursts, a standard homeowners policy likely has you covered. For damage that results from a slow leak over time, you'll need hidden water damage coverage.
As you explore the nuances of your policy, take some time to consider flood insurance. Most home policies don't cover flood damage caused by heavy rain or snow. To meet those needs, we offer coverage through the National Flood Insurance Program. Your agent can help add this enhancement to your policy.
Consider these home maintenance tips to prevent or minimize water damage from cracked or frozen pipes:
If you do face water damage in your home, American Family Insurance offers an Emergency Water Removal Program (EWRP) as a benefit to our policyholders. The EWRP helps you recover from water damage in your home by helping clean, repair and restore it quickly.
From the pictures on the walls to the colors of your carpets, your home is uniquely yours and a place where you go for comfort and security. And though you do what you can to protect it, you’re still susceptible to the unexpected.
Theft is never your fault. Consider these home security tips; they can help lower the chance that burglars will target your home:
Equip your home with qualifying smart home devices, and you may get a discount on your home insurance.
By keeping these home maintenance tips in mind, you can help prevent costly insurance claims and proactively protect your home from the unexpected — which is great for peace of mind. But you should still make sure your insurance gives you enough coverage for all these situations. Find an American Family Insurance agent near you today to help you get customized homeowners insurance coverage to protect what matters most to you.
This article is for informational purposes only and based on information that is widely available. We believe this information is accurate but do not make any guarantees or promise any results based on this information.
This article may include information that represents a brief description of coverages, but this is not part of your policy, and is not a promise or guarantee of coverage. If there is any conflict between this information and your policy, the provisions of the policy will prevail. Insurance policy terms and conditions may apply. Exclusions may apply to policies, endorsements, or riders. Coverage may vary by state and may be subject to change. Some products are not available in every state. Please read your policy and contact your agent for assistance.