Guarding Against Water Damage Equals Saving on Homeowners Insurance
When the topic of water damage to Florida homes arises, it’s generally perceived to be caused by rising tides. In all actuality, water damage losses from in-home plumbing and appliances are rapidly increasing and may cause extensive damage to your home and personal belongings. Insurance companies throughout Florida have acknowledged the potential threat of in-home water damage and have responded by rewarding homeowners who take preventative measures. You may be eligible for discounts to your homeowner’s insurance premium by protecting your home from common culprits such as faulty appliances, hoses, pipes and drains.
Defective appliances are the most common source of water damage. Your homes water heater, washing machine, and air conditioning unit all encompass a potential threat. Identifying the root of an issue is the first step in preventing its occurrence. Therefore, careful attention should be placed on inspecting older appliances in your home.
Water heaters for example, have a tendency to rust on the bottom, providing ample opportunity for water damage. This damage is heightened when the location of the water heater is above the ground floor. Meticulous inspection is in order for those who have an older water heater upstairs or in an attic. Appliance hoses are also notorious for their capacity to malfunction and also merit routine attention from homeowners.
In addition to appliances, pipe and drain issues can end up the cause of your homes messy misfortune. Common problems include stoppages of toilets, kitchen drains and garbage disposals which are susceptible to grease build up. Older homes are even more vulnerable to pipe leaks due to the proximity within which copper and iron pipes are installed. Iron pipes are severely affected by copper in close contact and will rapidly deteriorate causing extensive damage.
Understanding the potential threat is only half the battle. Regular attention should be placed on aspects of your home that have a propensity for error. In fact, insurance companies are now providing credits to your homeowner’s policy if you have your plumbing system and all correlating appliances inspected by a licensed plumber. Water Loss Prevention Credits are designed to reward homeowners who are diligent in their homes maintenance and can prove that their plumbing system is free of defects.
Additional credits are also offered by many insurance carriers for the installation of water sensors. Passive leak detectors, which are stand-alone devices that distinguish the presence of moisture and sound an alarm, can be helpful in preventing a disaster. The highly regarded active systems are able to not only detect a leak, but are also capable of shutting off the water source. These attributes not only provide insurance credits, but they are also designed to save your home from significant water damage.
Moore Resources is an Independent Insurance Agency located in St. Petersburg, FL and offering Homeowners Insurance, Auto Insurance, Personal Insurance and Business Insurance. Our reach extends beyond the Tampa Bay area to the entire state of Florida. Moore Resources has regionally been dedicated to serving the local residents of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Polk, Pasco, Manatee and Sarasota counties; including St. Pete, Tampa, Clearwater, Bradenton, Brandon, Dunedin, Gulfport, Lakeland, Largo, Lutz, Palm Harbor, Pinellas Park, Riverview, Ruskin, Seffner, Seminole, Temple Terrace, Tierra Verde, Town n Country, and the Gulf Coast Beaches.
Please remember that the purpose of this blog is to present general information only. It does not interpret specific policies or coverage. In order to obtain detailed information regarding your insurance, contact a licensed insurance agent.
