Having purchased New York home insurance, you have gained financial protection from the consequences of some types of accidents and events in your home that can cause damage to your personal belongings. Because water damage is one of the main reasons for claims on homeowners’ insurance, it makes sense to be aware of some of the causes of floods and leaks in the home, and undertake regular maintenance to avoid a small leak becoming a larger one that causes substantial damage.

• Carry out regular maintenance of your washing machine. Check the condition of hoses and the security of hose connections, and replace faulty or damaged hoses immediately to avoid the risk of a flood in the laundry room.
• Inspect the roof for damage after hail and wind storms. Loose, damaged or missing shingles can allow water to penetrate the roof cavity of your home and can cause serious damage that is difficult and expensive to repair.
• Clear gutters regularly to remove leaves and other debris that collect and block the gutters, causing overflows that seep into the home through the external walls.  To reduce the need to clear gutters, consider installing leaf guards to filter out debris before it gets into the gutters.

It can be an alarming experience to find a serious water leak or flood in your house and you may be tempted to rush about trying to stop the leak and save your belongings from being damaged by water. It’s important to keep your head and avoid taking unnecessary risks – beware of situations where water and electricity may come into contact. Don’t forget that New York home insurance may provide compensation if your property suffers from water damage in certain circumstances, and in a situation like this ensuring your own personal safety must be your highest priority. With Schmutter, Strull, Fleisch, Inc., you can get the coverage you need with our agency’s help. Contact us today for more information!