The Most Common Homeowners Insurance Claims And How You Can Avoid Them

Homeowners insurance is a necessity for anyone that owns their own residence. Since virtually every homeowner has it, there are some common claims that occur over and over again. Here's a look at some of the most common claims filed on homeowners insurance, and what you can do to avoid them.

Water damage

Damage from water is the most common reason a homeowner will file an insurance claim. This can be from a cracked or leaking pipe under the house, a hose from a washing machine or dishwasher, or a gutter that's not channeling water away as it should. Of course, this sort of thing happens most commonly in older homes, but even newly constructed homes can have problems. To help fight this, you should inspect under your house once a month. Turn on all faucets and showers. flush all toilets, and check under the house to see if there's any leakage. Most homeowners insurance policies do not include flood damage, so if you live in an area that's prone to flooding, you'll need a separate policy.

Dog bites

Homeowners insurance doesn't just cover your actual house and what's inside, it can also cover what happens inside. If a pet bites or attacks someone in your home, you could be held responsible. It doesn't matter who the pet belongs to, or how the incident happened. The good news, though, is that your homeowners insurance can help with the medical bills. The only caveat to this would be if you have what's considered an "aggressive" breed like a pit bull, Rottweiler, or others. Even with those dogs though, additional insurance endorsements are available. The important thing is to be aware of the temperament of any dogs that come into your home, and have the additional coverage if you have an aggressive breed.

Fire

A household fire can happen in a moment, and can be incredibly devastating. Most homeowners insurance policies will cover fire, and actually have ways to make the claims process easier. There are some things you can do though, to help with the process should a fire occur. Make sure you have documentation of all of your possessions (along with receipts) to serve as proof to what's in the house. Having this documentation will make sure you get the proper compensation for what was lost.

Of course, even with your best efforts, accidents do happen. During those times, it's good to know that you're covered by your insurance company. Of course, while you hope to never have to file a claim, there's nothing like the security of knowing your home and belonging are protected.For more information, contact a local insurance company, like Axis Insurance Agency


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