After a long, blistering summer, most people are excited to relax in the cooling relief of autumn. But while the crisp evening air and colorful leaves are cause to celebrate, there’s one thing that may put a damper on your holiday spirit: fall season insurance claims.
The fall season tends to see an increase in insurance claims, as abrupt changes in weather and seasonal habits create more opportunities for accidents to occur. By understanding potential risks and how to avoid them, property owners can safeguard their premises against financial loss.
Common Fall Insurance Claims
Fire Damage
While boilers, fireplaces, and space heaters are essential for keeping your home warm during the fall, they can also run the risk of starting a fire—especially if they aren’t being used appropriately or are left unattended for long periods. The same goes for burning candles, overloaded outlets, and at-home leaf-burning. All of these activities, while commonplace during the autumn months, create an environment where a fire can start and destroy your property and belongings. In fact, heating fires have consistently been the second leading cause of residential fires in the US since the 1980’s.
Combat this issue by making sure you have smoke alarms located throughout your home, and test them often to guarantee they’re working. Also, double-check that your heating elements are in good working order. Sweep the chimney free of debris, get your boiler checked by a professional, and update your space heater if it’s out-of-date.
Water Damage
It may come as a surprise to some, but more water damage occurs between October and December than any other time of year. This tends to be due to an increase in rain and sleet caused by storms, as well as dropping temperatures making pipes leak or even burst. Water damage can wreak havoc on your property and belongings, so it’s important to take preventive measures by water-proofing your basement, sealing any cracks in the foundation of your home or commercial building, and cleaning out your gutters regularly to remove any dead leaf pile-up that can cause overflow. Make sure you also set your thermostat to at least 55°F. Although some autumn days can be balmy, the nights can get cold and risk ruining your pipes.
Damages From Theft
Home burglaries increase about 38% during the fall, with the dollar loss from a single burglary averaging at about $2,661. This amount can include the cost of repairing broken windows, locks, or doors, as well as the theft and subsequent replacement of personal belongings—which tends to come with its own emotional toll, especially if you lose prized valuables that can’t be replaced. Shore up your home defenses by keeping your doors locked (and upgrading them if need be), using motion detectors, and turning on your home alarm whenever you leave. It also helps to keep your shrubs and hedges trimmed so that they don’t become hiding spots for a potential burglar.
Storm Damage
One bad fall storm can make a financial mess of your property—from fallen branches damaging your building, to hail tearing up your roofing or high winds ripping off your siding. Depending on how bad the damage is, it can threaten the overall structural integrity and make the property unlivable. Although you can’t stop storms from happening, you can prepare for them by taking preventive measures around your property to minimize damages.
Regularly trim your trees to stop low-hanging branches from striking your property, being extra vigilant about removing dead branches when you see them. Identify objects that could be projectiles if caught in intense winds (like pots or lawn furniture) and move them into the garage when you know bad weather is coming. Also, don’t forget to climb up to your roof and check on your shingles. Damaged or missing shingles are more likely to break free, leaving a gap for wind to get under and create even more roof damage.
How Fortitude Public Adjusters Helps
In the unfortunate event that your residential or commercial property is affected by fire, water, theft, or storm damage, we’re here to help. At Fortitude Public Adjusters, we understand the devastation that occurs when damages take place, especially when they involve the loss of personal possessions. It’s difficult to think clearly and objectively in the face of what seems like such a monumental problem—that’s why we do it for you. Our team of experts will review your policy, document damages, negotiate on your behalf, and ensure you receive a fair and equitable claim settlement in the shortest time possible.
Contact us today for a free consultation and see how to get covered for common autumn insurance claims.
