Preventable Homeowners’ Insurance Claims

Preventable Homeowners’ Insurance Claims

Life happens. Even with the best of intentions, maintenance plans and Homeowners’ insurance coverage, the occasional unavoidable crisis will prevent itself. But the reality is that the most common claim, residential flooding, is typically the result of an appliance and/or plumbing failure that can usually be detected and repaired well before you find yourself filling out claims paperwork.

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Here are examples of other completely preventable insurance claims, followed by a practical tip for reducing the likelihood of having to file.

Loose/Damaged Washing Machine Hose(s)

Alternating water temperatures, shaking machines and containment in low-traffic areas make this issue a common homeowners’ insurance claim. Tip: Replace plastic hoses at least every three years, and inspect frequently for irregularities. If possible, situate your machine in a more visible (or at least audible) area.

Bath Tub/Shower Grout and Edge Leaks

Small leaks and slight decay may not seem like big deal, but that water has to go somewhere, and it’s usually right into your floors and walls. Over time, this can lead to major repairs in plumbing, carpentry, etc. More often than not, these repairs are not covered by standard homeowners’ insurance policies. Tip: It’s simple. Water that flows into your bath or shower needs to stay there, or travel down the drain. Close doors and curtains. Frequently inspect and repair seals, calling in a professional when in doubt.

Toilet Issues

If you’ve never experienced problems with toilet leaks or overflow, you’re in the minority. However, consistent attention is key to sparing yourself and your family thousands of dollars in damages. Tip: Toilet wobbling? It might not be properly installed. Experiencing a leak? Call a qualified expert immediately.

Refrigerator Leaks

While tougher to identify, the water and plastic lines that extend from your fridge can cause extensive kitchen damage in short order. Tip: If you’re comfortable or handy, check lines regularly for kinks.

Hot Water Heater Leaks

There’s always plenty of complaints when hot water runs out, but it’s entirely possible that quick heat loss reflects poor tank performance or sediment presence. Tip: If your water heater is more than five years old, a qualified technician should inspect it at least every year.

Contact Green’s Plumbing today at (818) 880-8847 , for more information or if we can be of assistance.

Top Facts:

* More people in the world own a cell phone than have access to a safe toilet.

* Because of the lack of toilets, 80 percent of human waste goes directly into rivers and streams.

* One in ten people has no choice but to defecate in the open

* Half of the world’s hospital beds are occupied by patients suffering from diseases associated with lack of access to safe drinking water, inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene.

* Diarrhea caused by poor sanitation and unsafe water kills 315,00 children every year.

* In 2015, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation opened a project to develop a more sustainable toilet to bring safe sanitation to the world’s poorest communities.