WATER CLAIMS
WATER WISE PREVENT DAMAGE & CLAIMS
BY : MELISSA ESHAM , PCAM , CMCA , AMS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION ADVISOR
Water Damage Is The Most Common Claim , But There Are Simple Ways You Can Prevent Losses .
Water damage is more than a ' frozen pipes problem .' It ’ s a real concern that many homeowners overlook . Refrigerator icemaker failures . Leaky toilets . Dry-rotted washing machine hoses . HVAC condensation . Little drips over time that can deteriorate drywall .
In a strange coincidence , 71 % of the world is covered in water — and 71 % of the claims we see are related to water damage . Your home is seven times more likely to be damaged by water than fire . And if you have water claims – even small ones – during a three-year period , your insurance carrier could increase premiums or change the terms of your policy , limiting future payouts due to similar claims .
These proactive steps can help you Be Sure .
TURN UP THE HEAT
Our fluctuating weather patterns are resulting in more extreme up-anddown , freeze-and-thaw conditions than normal for the Mid-Atlantic . If you use your coastal property as a second home and won ’ t be there for a while , set your thermostat to at least 55 °. Nobody ’ s thinking about heat when they leave a vacation home and it ’ s 75 ° outside , but many policies exclude coverage if the heat is not maintained .
REMEMBER THE ' LITTLE THINGS '
Small water claims are daily life accidents and might seem insignificant — until the bill for damage arrives .
For example , someone in the house neglects to shut the freezer door all the way . It defrosts and creates water puddles that damage your floor .
Another scenario : You pull the refrigerator away from the wall to clean behind it and the ice-maker water hose comes loose and slowly leaks water . By the time you find the leak , the damage has already been done .
Hot water heater failures are another common cause of water damage . By replacing appliances per manufacturers ’ recommendations rather than waiting for them to fail , you can avoid costly claims and repairs .
An easy , preventive task that can prevent a burst pipe : turn off the water flow to hose bibbs and remove hoses before freezing temperatures arrive .
EXPLORE SENSOR TECHNOLOGY
Remote monitoring detects water leaks using wireless sensors . When water pressure changes in a pipe , the system can notify you and / or shut off the water . These monitors help save on your water bill and can quickly minimize damage . There are off-the-shelf solutions for sensors that a plumber can install within the main shut-off valve . And don ’ t forget to regularly check your main shut-off valve to be sure that no water is able to get through when the valve is closed .
Reclaim some peace of mind with these simple steps . Basic preventive maintenance can save you from water damage and claims that could drive up premiums . +
Be Sure Checklist
• Assess appliances and replace them before they reach the end of their useful life .
• If you won ’ t be in the home for a while , set the heat to 55 °.
• Consider new sensor technology that can detect leaks .
• Talk to your insurance advisor to understand the water-related claims your current policy will cover — and what it may exclude .
Melissa Esham is the Community Association Advisor for Deeley Insurance Group . She has seven years of experience specializing in the needs of community associations and 17 years of community management experience . Melissa grew up in Ocean Pines , MD and now resides in a condominium association in Berlin . 410-213-5579 mesham @ deeleyinsurance . com
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