Help! My Homeowner’s Policy Doesn’t Provide Coverage For my Claim?

26 Jun Help! My Homeowner’s Policy Doesn’t Provide Coverage For my Claim?

Have you ever gone into your basement and realized that there is definitely something out of place? You wander around making a mental inventory of your possessions, checking to see if something had been altered or moved, and as you make your way to the washing machine it hits you right between the eyes; a fine mist spraying out of the connecting hose on your water heater! You contact your insurance agency to find that they won’t pay for your water heater to be repaired but any damage done to your basement floors by the offending mist will be taken care of. Only one question remains: Why!?

While it’s unfortunate that the homeowner’s insurance policy doesn’t provide coverage for home maintenance and  does not provide coverage for little things that go wrong around your house, the good news is that there are simple precautions and easy fixes that will extend the longevity and value of your home as well as save you a bundle of cash because they’re DIY!

• Check exterior drainage. Puddles should not remain for more than 24 hours. You can slope the area with dirt to soak up any standing water.
• Inspect the exterior of your home and make sure no plants are weaselling their way into cracks, check for chipping paint, cracked siding and be sure to examine your foundation.
• Take note of trees interfering with any electrical lines and trim as needed or hire a professional.
• Inspect your roof for missing tiles, leaks, and any other needed repairs.
• Examine drippy faucets and check your water pressure. Also, clean the aerator around all faucets; a dirty aerator can interfere with water pressure.
• Be sure to give your basement a thorough inspection at least once a year. Even if they’re simply an area for storage, mold is a major issue in many coastal homes and should not be overlooked.
• Check for loose screws and cracked caulking on the interior of your home.
• Make sure your AC can handle the upcoming summer heat: dust the condenser fan and coils, oil the fan motor and don’t forget to clean out the filters with soft soap and water. If one looks damaged, you can buy a new one for around $7 at your local home supply store.

We understand how frustrating this can be when you hire a contractor to come out and they tell you “We need to repair this,” the next time you find a crack in your siding or a hole in your roof, remember that you’re not powerless; pick up the caulking gun and a screwdriver and you can repair most of the maintenance issues on your property. As always, the SAVA team is available for any questions you have and we wish you luck in all your upcoming projects!

Call 860-437-7282 to speak with your SAVA agent, today!