From Rainstorms
to Potholes, These Tips Can Help to Prepare You Against Common Springtime
Insurance Claims
For many people, the season of spring
is eagerly welcomed after a long and cold winter. However, as
many seasoned homeowners
are aware, along with warmer temperatures and bright sunny days,
spring can also bring its own set of issues. Continue reading to learn more
about what
insurance hazards are most common during the spring, and how to best prepare
for them!
1. Flooding
April showers may bring May flowers but they can also lead to major
issues in and out of flood zones. It’s important to note that there is a
difference between flood damage and water damage. While
flood damage is typically caused by rainwater or overflowing bodies of water,
actual water damage is more often caused by roof
leaks, broken pipes and other home maintenance related issues. If you live
in a residential flood zone, there is a good chance
your mortgage company required you to purchase flood insurance
while applying for the loan. In most cases, regular homeowners
insurance will not cover damage caused by flooding.
While flood damage is not 100% preventable, there are a few things you
can do to lessen the likelihood of your home
flooding:
●
Install foundation vents or a sump pump
●
Apply extra coatings of sealant to your
foundation, walls, windows and doorways
●
Grade your lawn away from your house
●
Point downspouts away from your home
2. Fallen Trees
High winds and lightning storms have the
potential to cause some real damage to your home and property. According to a
study conducted by Kent State University, there were nearly 400 deaths due to tree-related
incidents from 1995 - 2007. This is not including the non-death
related falling-tree incidents. It’s important to make sure your home and
vehicles are both insured properly so that you will be covered in the event
that a tree or tree branch were to fall on them. While we can’t control the
weather, there are a few things you can do to help the trees on your property
better withstand these natural
events.
●
Remove dead or partially attached branches that
are hung high enough to potentially fall and cause damage or injury
●
Remove cracked stems and forked branches
●
Remove trees with hollow or decayed areas on the
trunk or main limbs
●
Remove trees that have mold or mushrooms growing
from the bark as it could indicate a decaying or weakened internal structure
●
Remove trees with heaving soil at the tree base
as this can indicate an unsecure root system
3. Potholes
As
spring approaches, it is not uncommon to see more potholes in the road.
Unfortunately, these can ruin a vehicle’s tires and even damage the wheel or
frame of a
vehicle if hit hard enough.
Collision coverage will often cover pothole damage although it is
best to consult your insurance
agent about what your individual policy covers. It’s important to keep an
eye out for potholes and avoid them whenever possible. If you must
drive over them, do so slowly and carefully to avoid damage to your
vehicle. You might even consider reporting the pothole to your area’s
Department of Transportation for repair.
4. Hail Damage
Along with thunder
and lightning can come some pretty severe hail storms. These
balls of ice can hit
roofs, siding, and unprotected vehicles hard enough to create cracks, dents,
and even break glass! Oftentimes damage caused by hail is covered under your homeowners
policy, however it is always best to check with your agent when you
have questions about coverage. Those who carry auto
insurance should review their policies as well to be sure that they are covered
for hail damage should it occur.
To protect your home and vehicle from hail damage, you can do the following:
Vehicles:
●
Store vehicles inside a garage or under a carport
whenever possible
●
Alternatively, use a protective covering when a
storm is approaching
●
Find temporary shelter for your vehicle before a
storm
Home and
Property:
●
Carry out routine inspections to ensure your roof
is in good shape
●
Protect your windows with functional shutters
●
Shelter your landscape and gardens with makeshift
canopies
5. Driveway Cracks
Drastic weather and temperature changes can often cause
driveway surfaces to move and crack. You’ll want to review your home
insurance policy to see if you are covered for this type of loss.
It’s important to address these cracks as soon as possible to prevent trip
hazards as well as to take preventative measures against further damage.
Depending on the type of driveway you have, you can help prevent cracking and safety
hazards by doing the following:
●
Apply an extra layer of sealant to an existing
driveway
●
Lift, level and reseal existing cracks and
heaving
●
Avoid leaving chemical leaks, excess dirt and
other materials to sit on your concrete or asphalt driveway for long periods of
time as they are porous and can weaken your driveway
Now that you are ready to tackle and evade these five insurance
hazards, you might be interested in learning what else you can do to prepare
your home for spring. Check out the link below to learn more!
