Risks to Homes — Homeowners Know but Do Nothing

Reports from all kinds of sources are talking about this being a season of drought for states all over the country. So not just California is at risk of disastrous wildfires. The PIA Western Alliance states of Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Arizona, along with California, are facing some serious threats as the summer progresses.

The Hanover Insurance Group released a report on homeowners and safety last week. Since most of us are aware of the need to fortify our property and protect it from wildfire, much of the focus of the survey was threats like water, wind and hail.

• One in 60 homeowners had water damage loss last year
• One in 35 filed an insurance claim related to wind or hail damage
• In a catastrophic weather event, 70% to 90% of residential losses are roofs

What the survey found is that many homeowners — even when informed of these potential problems and how to handle them — don’t. Let’s start with water:

• 79% of homeowners say they are aware of the benefit of water sensors
• 76% know about automatic water shutoff devices
• But just 16% have installed those sensors
• Only 13% have water shutoff systems

Moving to wind:

• 61% of homeowners know about fortified roofing
• 59% know of the benefits of wind-related garages
• Just 17% have upgraded the roof
• And 10% have installed wind-rated garages
• The good news is more homeowners checking their roofs
• 57% of those surveyed said they checked their roof this year
• Last year’s figure was 38%
• 60% of homeowners have started trimming trees because 20% of wind and hail claims are from trees

When it comes to fire, homeowners are acting as well:

• Fire is the most expensive loss with the average cost topping $75,000
• But just 67% of homeowners have smoke detectors installed
• Yet, 99% know the importance of having them
• 62% have cleaned dryer vent ducts
• 57% have serviced or replaced HVAC filters

Source link: Claims Journal — https://bit.ly/4e4moCY