Some of the most common homeowners claims are: flooding, fires, mold, glass breakage and personal liability. In the event that something does happen and you do need to file a claim, you will want to make sure that that you first call the police and file the report if it includes vandalism or theft. Next, you will want to make a list of property missing or destroyed before calling your insurance agent. If your house was damaged by a natural disaster, contact your local government and take the precautions they give you before trying to take pictures of your house and valuables.
With an increase in insurance claims comes an increase in your premium. No one wants to deal with these disasters, but they do come and usually unexpected. Here a few ways to take precautions in your home for future disasters.
- Clear away trees, gas tanks and firewood that are close to the home. These items will cause the fire to spread.
- Do not overload electrical sockets.
- Have a smoke alarm and fire extinguisher on every floor of your home
- Invest in security alarms, deadlocks and window locks to prevent burglary related claims.
- Document all your personal property so there is no doubt on your claim. A good way to do this is with a video camera.
- Make sure if you have a backyard pool or trampoline that you also have a fence around it to protect children from wandering over and getting hurt.