Spring Maintenance is Good for Your Insurance

There’s something about spring that puts people in a cleaning mood. With higher temperatures and the warmth of the sun on your face, suddenly, it’s not such a chore to work in the yard or garage.

Doing a little maintenance on your home and yard is great for your insurance. Keeping your home and yard in good condition may prevent you from having an insurance claim, because it’s harder for water and the other challenges mother nature throws at us to cause damage. It will also help maintain the value of your home.

Some tips to get you started

Clean up your yard
You can clean up the debris that settled in your yard over the winter and trim bushes to improve visibility. This will help you see what’s going on in your yard, and make it harder for people to vandalize or break into your home.

Wash your windows and check the seals
This is a great time of year to take care of your windows. Wash them with vinegar and water or a name brand cleaner, and then check the condition of the seals. Fixing them now will extend their lifespan, improve your energy consumption and save you money on your power bill.

Clear out your eavestroughs and downspouts
Now’s a good time to get your eavestroughs ready for spring rainstorms. Clean out any debris that has built up and fix any damaged pieces. You should also make sure your downspouts are in good condition and pointed away from your foundation. (If they’ve been beaten up by the snow, you can replace them now.)

Check your roof
Wind, snow, ice and water are all hard on shingles, fascia and the structure of your roof. Take the time to check around for air leakage and water stains on your roof and in your attic. Make plans to fix or replace any lifted shingles – many brands last 20 years, but that’s not always guaranteed. If you’re not sure if your shingles are still in good shape, we recommend bringing in a contractor to check it out. Remember: Keeping your roof in good shape will help prevent an insurance claim and help you maintain the value of your home.

Fill any cracks in your foundation
Now’s a good time to look around your foundation and find any cracks or leaks that need to be filled. This stops air from leaking out of your home, and prevents water and critters from getting in.

Take care of clutter inside and out
Clutter-clearing is all the rage now, and we know why. Having an organized home makes it feel more relaxing and calm. And… did you know it’s also good for your insurance?

Get rid of things you don’t need and safely store the things you do.
Clear toys, electrical cords and other items away from your driveway and walkways. If someone is injured on your property – by tripping on an electrical cord, for example – you could be legally responsible for their medical bills, loss of income and more. The same thing applies to clutter inside your home.

Store valuables in containers
Lastly, make sure you’re taking care of your valuables. Store your prize possessions in plastic containers, instead of cardboard, and put them on shelves – off of the basement or garage floor. That way, they’ll be much safer if you do have a claim.

Now is also a good time make a list of your belongings, with pictures and current valuations. This makes it easier to file a claim for the items, if they are stolen or damaged by a fire, sewer back-up, flood or other insured risk.

BONUS TIP: Make sure your insurance is up-to-date
Spring is a good time to contact your insurance broker and make sure your insurance is in good shape. We offer coverages to protect your home, yard and family. This includes base insurance policies, as well as important add-ons such as water and sewer damage, service line damage, major appliance failure and more. Call us today.

Spring Maintenance is Good for Your Insurance

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