WHAT TO DO BEFORE THAT BIG STORM
Welcome, I am Ashlynne. I am one of the owners of VP Custom Insurance Solutions. My goal in writing this blog is to guide you in learning what insurance is. Answering those the questions that no one seems to take the time to answer. To pull the curtain aside and let you peek into the workings of an agent. Now let’s get back to what you came here for.
Have you ever been in a rain storm and started finding leaks all over your home or business? Snow built up on the roof and caused damage resulting in leaks which caused more damage?
Many of us can relate to the gut wrenching dread that happens when you feel a drop of water on your head in the living room or your storage room. The panic as you try to calculate the cost to repair the bubbled paint in your wall from a roof leak. How to prevent clients from slipping as you fix a roof leak so that you are not sued for a slip and fall on your floor. I am going to walk you through a few tips that can help you catch these issues before they can become that frustrating claim situation.
Most of the country is going through some pretty crazy weather this winter season. VP Custom Insurance Solutions is in California and we can safely assume that we will not be in a drought this year. Due to extreme temperature changes, large snow and rain falls, we are seeing an uptick in claims that are from the result of all this severe weather and we are expecting more to come before the season is done. As agents we often get questions for what to do once damage has happened and if a claim will be covered. We are not often asked or have the opportunity to discuss with clients tips to reduce the possibility of a claim by taking preventative steps to catch problems before they happen.
I am sure you have heard this before from others and want to roll your eyes and say this is not something new. I get it, we are busy people with lives. You have things that you are desperately trying to get to and from and have no time to fit another thing in. However, this is important, it can be the difference of a few dollar fix and a thousand dollar repair or complete loss of your home or business. I am an agent, and I often find myself forgetting what my insurance is really for. It happens, insurance is usually the last thing on someone's mind until they absolutely need it. With the insurance market the way it is today and the difficulty in finding and keeping coverage at decent prices, it is more important than ever to make sure your insurance is used for the claims that matter most. Carriers are more than ever being very selective in who they cover and for what. The best way to make sure your property is the most attractive to a carrier, is to keep up on the maintenance and to take preventative measures. Let's take a look at some tips you can use to safeguard your property, whether it's a home, auto, or a business.
There are a lot of tips out there from so many different sources, but I would like to focus on ones that insurance carriers focus on as well. I want to provide you with the tools that can look good on a claim if you have to submit one. Remember that these are tips from our experiences as agents and claims we have seen and/or heard about or concerns from our underwriters as they look over your property’s risks. These tips can work for any home, auto, or business owner. I am sure that there are differing opinions, tips, and a wealth of information, but this is our perspective. We respect their perspective and we hope that you will benefit from ours.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE A STORM:
YOUR HOME/BUSINESS
Take a walk around your property
You will want to examine the inside and outside of your house, building, or vehicle and the surrounding areas. You are looking for any wear and tear that could get worse with the storm. You will want to make note of any wear and tear, damages, missing paint, or weaknesses that you find. It is good to keep a note of these with your policy and work on amending them as you are able and checking them off.
Inspect your roofing and gutters
This is an important one since many damages come from a roof leaking or not draining properly. You will want to patch any damaged areas on your roof prior to a storm. If your roof is at the end of its life expectancy it would be wise to start looking at replacement. This is always a big expense, however, if it is found that a claim resulted due to the roofing being old and worn, your claim could be denied. Gutters are also very important to keep clear of any debris and any damages fixed or parts replaced to keep it in good working order. If a gutter is not working properly it can result in water seepage into the home since the water is not being directed away from the building in an effective manner. Ice build up can also be very dangerous to you, others, and the home. Make sure to make note of any ice dams that are forming, these will need to be corrected to prevent damage or injury in the future.
Windows and doors
Make sure your windows and doors are sealing completely to keep out cold weather, rain, or snow. If you are experiencing wind drafts, rain or snow seeping in, there is a chance that your door and/or window seals are needing to be replaced. This will keep water damage from happening.
Check your heat sources
Make sure your flue is clear and clean every year. This will prevent possible smoke and fire damage. You also want to make sure that you have a backup source of heat to keep the temperature of the house above freezing. This will make sure that you don’t have pipes bursting and causing water damage. This is a big claim issue every winter. Pipes freezing is preventable and the cost to keep your pipes from freezing is less than water damage to your home.
Propane tanks are also very vulnerable to weather. You will want to create a plan to keep a clear path to your tank so that you and your provider can access the tank at all times. If your snow levels are high, you are going to want to make sure to keep the tank clear of the snow suffocating it. It will need to breathe to prevent larger issues such as explosion.
Check your electrical panels and wiring to your home
Make sure you have a clear path to your electrical panel so that your provider can get back to it in the event of an issue. Are the wires connecting to your house from the power pole (if any) look secure? If not, it is best to have your provider come out and look it over to make sure it will not fall in the event of a storm. If you are in an area that is prone to power outages, it is a good investment to get a generator that can keep the heat and electrical components running in your home while your provider works to get the power back on and going again. This will help keep pipes from freezing and keep you warm.
Equipment
Inspect your snow removal equipment, pumps, etc that may be used during and/or after a storm. You will want to make sure that all walk ways to and from your house are clear. Preventing a trip and fall hazard on walkways approaching your house will lessen injury to those trying to get to you or provide you with service. Snow melt, not salt, is also good to have on hand. Salt will damage your walkways, but getting snow/ice melt from your local hardware store is good to have on hand and help prevent ice buildup on walkways and decks.
Make sure you know where your insurance policy is
Having your policy on hand and knowing how to submit a claim prior to a claim happening is a great way to prevent stress and panic when you do need to report a claim. Have a list that you can check off so that you know what you will need to collect in order to submit a claim. (Blog on claim submitting coming soon)
WHAT TO DO BEFORE A STORM:
YOUR VEHICLES
Now you know what to do prior to a storm for your building, but have you ever thought to inspect your car and your cars surroundings?
You would not believe how many times my husband or I have been out searching for car owners to let them know that their car window is open during a rain or snow storm. We tend to forget that our cars are a valuable asset to our everyday lives. Forgetting that we need to be inspecting them prior to a storm as well. There are many reasons we can come up with for inspecting a vehicle prior to a storm but we believe these are the most important.
Start with a walk around your car
Making sure all your windows are closed and sealed completely will help prevent water damage to the inside of your vehicle and any belongings inside the vehicle. Make sure your tires are in good condition with plenty of tread and inflated to proper levels. The cold makes air condense which can leave your tires needing air. Make sure your tires are inflated to proper levels suggested by your vehicle handbook.
If you have snow chains, are they in your vehicle? Are they free of rust? Do you know how to put them on your tires? These are all good things to confirm and know how to do before snow hits your area.
Examine your windshield and windshield wipers, rear window and windshield wiper (If any)
Ideally you are checking your windshield and wipers before it gets cold. A cracked windshield is a compromised one. It can end up causing an injury during a collision or completely collapse due to the weight of the snow. A chip can become a much bigger crack when temperatures are getting into lower digits.
Wipers degrade and sun rot over time, depending on where you live. It is important that prior to the season changes you make sure your wipers are working effectively. If there is a snow storm coming, it is best to pull your wipers away from your window to prevent them freezing to your window and getting damaged.
Make sure all your vehicle’s fluids are topped off
Your vehicle cannot function properly without all its fluids being at adequate levels. If you are not sure which fluids need to be checked, consult your handbook or an auto shop.
Remove anything from the vehicle that is temperature sensitive
To prevent damage to your vehicle or contents, make sure to remove anything that may have a sensitivity to temperature changes.
Check your parking space
Are you able to park in a garage or carport? If so, is it sturdy and in good shape? Do you park on the street or in an exposed driveway? Are there trees overhanging it? Can your car be clipped by a snow plow or sliding car?
These are all things to think about when parking your vehicle. You will want to prevent damage to your car so that it remains in working order in case you need to evacuate. Trees can break from the weight of the snow and crash onto your vehicle. Make sure to remove snow and ice from your vehicle often. Make sure you are parking in as safe an area as possible. If your carport or garage is under a tree, there is a possibility of it being damaged by falling debris and in turn damaging the vehicle.
Again, make sure to have your policy and claims process on hand just in case. Knowing if your policy covers a cracked windshield is also important.
WHAT TO DO BEFORE A STORM:
YOUR LANDSCAPING
Do you ever think about your landscaping? How it could possibly cause damage to your home or auto, or other structures, or your family? What about the storm damaging your landscaping and causing you loss in money to replace or fix it?
It is one many of us forget to think about, me included. Landscape maintenance can prevent major damage to a home, building or auto. Let’s look at some important points.
Trees
They are beautiful and one of my favorite landscaping items. They are also a powerful destructive force when they are larger.
It is important to make sure trees are trimmed and pruned of dead or dying branches. These can crush a roof, a car, or a power line. You will also want to trim trees away from all building roofs and sides to prevent damage or fire hazards. The dry leaves can cause clogging of gutters, easy fire fuel, and hold moisture which can degrade materials. If your tree has shallow roots, it is in danger of uprooting in a windstorm or rain/snow storm that saturates the ground. Consult with a tree specialist on how to best anchor the tree to help it stay secure or it may need to be removed.
Bushes and other vines
Bushes and vines can damage the exterior of the building. Many vines are invasive and will try to get in siding or roofing to anchor themselves. If you have vines or bushes that crawl, make sure you are keeping them trimmed and providing them a source to climb on that is not your siding.
I hope this provides some insight into how you can help your property and save you from a claim. I really enjoyed this exercise and I have been walking around our apartment and vehicle to make sure we are good for the next round of storms. I definitely need to get some ice melt and a snow shovel for the next round.
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VP Custom Insurance Solutions is available to help guide you through your insurance adventure.