Safeguard Your Home: Avoid Insurance Claims

Prevention is always better than cure, whatever the situation. Being aware of the most common reasons behind home insurance claims in the United Kingdom can help you to safeguard your own living quarters against these costly culprits.



Taking care to protect your home will not only make it a safer place to be, but also reduces the likelihood of you having to make a claim on your policy, which in turn helps to reduce your home insurance premiums over time.



Theft is one of the most common causes for claims under contents insurance policies in Britain. It is estimated that there are over one million burglaries and attempted burglaries every year and consequentially theft accounts for more than 340,000 annual home insurance claims. Levels of security in the home will therefore always score high on the priority list for British insurance providers.



One way to protect both pocket and home is by installing a burglar alarm as they tend to reduce the risk of burglaries. Furthermore, window and door locks deter potential burglars and are an important addition as some insurers don't provide cover if you fail to put the burglar alarm on or have inadequate locks on your windows, so make sure you're familiar with the terms of your policy.

Fire is another common reason for house insurance claims. Stay proactive and safeguard your home against the perils of fire by fitting a smoke alarm, which helps to minimise damage to your house if a fire were to start and may even save your life.



A high proportion of claims for loss due to fire occur because electrical items, such as hair straighteners, are left switched on. Kitchens are a likely room for fires to start so make sure you have a fire extinguisher in your home in case a fire was to break out. As such, you can pick up small household fire extinguishers for minimal cost at most hardware and DIY stores.



Mother Nature is a force you cannot control but one which can wreak havoc on your home sweet home. The good news is, you can protect your dwellings from the elements and minimise the likelihood of having to make an insurance claim by taking some simple actions.



Keeping your roof and guttering ship shape is important because stormy weather coupled with loose roof tiles usually results in damage to a building. Missing roof tiles allow water to leak inside your home, potentially damaging internal floor and wall coverings amongst other things.



What's more, loose roof tiles and overflowing drains can cause unnecessary damage, usually resulting in a home contents insurance claim being made. Regular maintenance on the external features of your house helps to avoid this problem.



As storm damage accounts for a large proportion of home insurance claims, you should trim back any trees that grow close to your house. Broken branches and falling trees can cause untold damage; therefore, it's better to carry out a spot of garden maintenance than face the consequences.



Isla Campbell writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.