At Saffren and Weinberg, Marc Alan Weinberg, Attorney and Kenneth Scott Saffren, Attorney are partners. The firm’s tagline is “The People’s Voice In Court.” They make themselves available via phone at (215) 576-0100 or by email on the Saffren and Weinberg website. Saffren and Weinberg provides a no-charge, complimentary case review and answers questions for prospective clients.
5 most common types of property damage
One of the largest investments you will make in your life will be the purchase of a home. It is necessary to obtain home insurance in order to protect your personal property. Home insurance provides coverage for the home itself and also other belongings within the home from potential problems, disasters, or loss of use. Most property owners hope they never have to file an insurance claim but these policies are in place to protect against various property damage claims.
Most standard policies protect the home and its contents from disasters such as fire, wind, theft, hail, and more; this coverage will vary depending on the insurance company and property damage coverage selected. Statistically, one in fifteen insured homes will have to file a property damage claim each year due to property damage. We will take a look at the most common property damage claims but be mindful, an attorney at law can make sure you that you file correctly, help you navigate the claims process, and make sure you are treated fairly in your recovery.
Wind and Hail
These are the most common insurance claims under home insurance policies. These claims include: hail storms, tornadoes, and hurricanes. Typically, damage by any of these forces of nature will be covered by home insurance.
You may be required to purchase additional insurance policies if you live in a certain region that is susceptible to these perils in the event of total loss. Some policies will not cover wind and hail if you live in Tornado Alley or coastal states with a high rate of hurricanes.
Water Damage and Freezing
Much of the United States experiences below freezing temperatures during the winter months. Many homes will suffer broken pipes if they are not properly insulated against the cold. The good news is that this type of water damage is typically covered by home insurance policies. As a property owner, you should inspect your pipes routinely to catch any leaks that may have developed. You should also keep your pipes insulated and take preventative measures to avoid freezing as the temperature drops.
Home insurance policies will also cover water damage from rainwater, ice storms, and flooding. Should your home suffer any type of water damage, you should keep in mind what your property damage claim time limit is to ensure recovery.
Other Property Damage
According to the Insurance Information Institute, this type of damage includes vandalism and malicious disruption. A few examples include: your outdoor lights or windows are damaged, your garden is dug up, your trees or bushes have been cut, or your home has been spray-painted. Standard home insurance covers these damages but check your property insurance policy to make sure. If your damage is not listed, for example if a car accident occurs and crashes into your home leaving damages, contact your agent to add additional coverage to pay for the cost of repairs.
Theft
As a homeowner, your biggest fear is coming home to a broken-down door and a pillaged house. In 2010, the FBI found that 74 percent of burglaries occurred in residential neighborhoods. This was out of roughly 2.2 million police reports of burglaries across the United States. Although, the damages that result from theft are protected under home insurance policies, you should take steps as a homeowner to reduce the likelihood of having these events occur.
Fire and Lightning
This type of damage is not as frequent but they can cause an extensive amount of damage or even total loss. Between 2009 and 2013, the average claim in this category was $37,153.
Fires can be started in a number of ways. Whether it be a grease fire in the kitchen, an electrical fire, or a fire caused by a strike of lightning, your insurance should be there to protect you and your personal property. Make sure you check with your insurance provider to ensure you are covered under these types of property damages so that you can fill out the appropriate property damage claim form when the time comes.
Contact Us Today
You can take the appropriate steps to protect your home and still end up in battling with a home insurance company to receive adequate recovery on your home in the dollar amount . It is important to contact a law firm to help guide you through the insurance claims that you should be filing or to help you deal with your insurance company to ensure that you are receiving the correct repair estimates for your property damage. For a free consultation or if you have questions regarding your property damage claim , contact Saffren & Weinberg today at 215-576-0100. Our law firm is skilled in other practice areas as well including personal injuries, personal injury claims, and auto accidents.
