Purchasing a home is one of the priciest investments you could ever make. For this reason, it is wise to also invest in insurance policies that can help you guard your family and your properties against certain circumstances.
Freezing and water damage
During winter, homes can be affected by several water damage, ice storm and rain. Some homeowners can also experience leaking or burst pipes when the home is not properly insulated. The good news is that these are covered by home insurance policies, so homeowners don't have to worry about spending. To avoid this problem, one of the practical home tips is to regularly check the home pipes for leakage. Insulate the pipes during winter by running water on shower heads and faucets to avoid freezing, Zillow reports.
Wind and Hail
Get home policy claims for protection against hailstorms and windstorms that also include hurricanes and tornadoes. When you get a policy, check if it is included in your home insurance because some companies require a separate policy for this. Check if your region or area is covered. If your area experiences these perils, you must check with your agent to make sure that you are covered.
Theft
According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, there is an estimated 2,159,878 cases of burglaries in 2010, 74 percent of which happened in residences. To protect your family and properties against these circumstances, make sure that your insurance policy covers these occurrences, according to Yahoo Real Estate.
Here are important home tips that can guard you from these instances:
- Before traveling, make sure to alert the police and your trusted neighbors. The authorities can help you protect your home by making rounds in your property during the days that you're not there. Your trusted neighbors can also help you check your home while you're out to make sure everything is in order. They can also check mails delivered to your address to avoid burglars noticing that no one is around.
- Install a home security device. This can put off thieves if they know that your property is protected with home security device.
- Don't leave spare keys outside your home.
- Always lock windows and doors.
Fire and Lightning
Check with your insurance agent if your property is covered for fire and lightning. Even if these types of perils rarely occur, they are the priciest among all other circumstances. Get help from your insurance if anything happens in your home caused by fire or lightning. The insurance company can help you replace or repair what has been damaged.