Effective Ways to Avoid Common Homeowner's Insurance Claims

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Lots of unexpected events may happen in our lives that will lead to the damage of our home or property. However, there are trends in the data of homeowner's claims that provide great information that can help homeowners prepare for the unexpected.

The following are the recommendations that can assist in protecting your home and avoiding the most frequent requests for homeowner's insurance:

Whenever there is a storm, there may be damage to your home because of broken tree branches, the sheer force of the wind and flying debris. The structure of your home may have weak areas especially the garage door, roof, doors, and windows that are very vulnerable to damage.

Aside from the weather, more water damage may occur because of events like appliance problems, plumbing issues, and burst pipes. Regular maintenance can help in the prevention of most of these claims.

1) Make sure that you repaired your roof well.

The roof has an average lifespan of 20 years. It may significantly vary depending on where you live and what type of roof you have. If it is common in your area to have severe hail storms, make sure to replace your roof every seven to ten years.

2) Consider installing roofing materials that are impact-resistant. These materials are concrete tiles, modified asphalt, metal, and slate. These roofing materials can reduce the number of claims by a huge percentage.

3) If there is equipment on your roof like air conditioning, tv satellites, or something else, try to keep it covered so it is protected from wind and hail.

4) Your home's siding may also be vulnerable to hail damage. Consider getting a durable siding like a fiber cement siding if you live in hail-prone areas.



Across the United States, floods and flash floods happen and are sometimes unexpected. The usual renters and homeowners insurance policies do not cover damage from flood. Get the right insurance and protect your home from water damage related to weather through these ways:

1) Get a roof inspection

It is an important issue when protecting your home is involved. A leaky roof will expose your home's structure to moisture and weaken it. It can disturb air quality, encourage mold growth and cause a lot of costly damages in the event of heavy rainfall.

2) Trim the trees that grow near your home and removes the branches that hang over the roof.

Whenever a branch breaks during a storm, your home may be damaged. It will leave your house vulnerable to water and wind damage.

3) Check the downspouts and rain gutters.

These should be clean and free from clogs. You should also make sure they aren’t leaking.

4) Ensure that water drains away from your home's foundation.

Use the extension pipes found at the bottom of the downspouts so you can control the water's flow. Make sure it flows away from your home.

5) Ensure that the ground is sloping away from your home. It should be at least six inches in the first ten feet.

Each year, the news reports more than two million burglaries in the United States. Seventy-five percent of these are residential burglaries. Make sure that your house is not an easy target with these helpful tips:

1) Check the exterior windows and doors so you can make sure that they lock and close correctly.

2) When you are not at home, keep all of the windows and doors locked.

3) Trim the tall shrubs away from the windows. Doing this will eliminate the possible hiding places for any burglar.

4) Make sure that all the exterior lights work. Install motion detection lights in any possible place. A home that is well-lit can be a deterrent to any burglar.

5) If you are away from your home for an extended period, simulate your presence. Do this by putting timers on the TV, radio and a few lights.

6) Walk around and check the exterior of your house during morning and nighttime. Valuable items that are outside should be inside the house or in the garage. Close the window coverings during the night to avoid the visibility of the items inside your home.

7) If there is a spare key outside your house avoid hiding it in places that may be obvious and accessible to any burglar. Leave your key with a trusted neighbor. You may also put a spare key underneath your dog house if the pet is usually in or near there.

8) Install a home security system.

At the Brad Spurgeon Insurance Agency Inc.​ we take pride in making sure our clients are well protected at prices they can afford. To learn more about how we can help you please contact our agency at 409-945-4746 or Click Here to request a free quote.