Claims Prevention

One of the factors that affect your insurance premiums is your claims history. There are many things you can do to help prevent incidents from occurring that might result in a claim. The “ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” definitely applies when you want to manage your insurance expenditures. While you can’t prevent everything, you can use reasonable care to avoid certain situations

Home Insurance
Winter
• Make sure all water pipes are adequately insulated or heated to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. If you are not going to be home for a few days, leave the heat on sufficiently to keep the pipes from freezing or drain the water pipes and shut off the water supply.
• Insulate outdoor pipes, hoses and faucets.
• If you own an outdoor swimming pool, drain the pool’s circulation system.
• Shovel and salt driveways and sidewalks to prevent ice build up.

Moisture Control
• Seal any cracks in the foundation to avoid water from seeping in.
• Check your hot water tank regularly for signs of rust, overflow or clogged drainage lines
• Check dishwasher and washing machines hoses for signs of bulging and weakness, replace as necessary.
• Replace damaged caulking, broken tiles around showers and bathtubs
• Check attic spaces and ceilings for signs of water damage
• When landscaping, make sure the planting beds are sloped away from your home

Wind Damage
• If trees limbs have grown near hydro lines on your property, call your local utility company for limb removal.
• Tie down patio umbrellas and store lawn furniture in wind storm events when possible

Fire Prevention
• Never leave cooking unattended.
• Don’t store flammable items (dishcloths or cloth oven mitts) above the stove.
• Smother a grease fire in a pan with a lid, never throw water on the flame as it will spead.
• Do not heat oil in an open pot, use only a CSA- approved, sealed deep fryer.
• Always have working smoke detectors on every floor of the house. If your smoke alarm is battery powered change twice a year.
• Have a fully charged fire extinguisher in the kitchen, and know how to use it.
• Create a fire escape plan for your family and make sure everyone is familiar with it.
• Do not overload electrical sockets, and unplug appliances when not in use.
• Keep portable heaters at least one meter from bedding and drapes.
• Do not leave candles unattended. Children should never have candles in their bedrooms.
• Store paint and other flammables away from furnace or water heater.
• Do not store gasoline or propane tanks close to your home in case of fire.

Theft Prevention
• Consider installing a home security system.
• Have adequate outdoor lighting.
• Trim hedges around windows.
• Document your personal property via video or photography, with written notes.