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NEW YORK, January 15, 2004 - As many parts of the country experience frigid temperatures, it's important for homeowners to prevent weather-related damage to their property, according to the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.)
Standard homeowners policies will cover most of the kinds of damage that result from a freeze. Check with your agent or company so you'll be sure of what your policy covers, says the I.I.I.
The average insurance claim for water damage and freezing can cost more than $3,600 and nearly twenty percent of homeowners claims are caused by water from a failure of indoor appliances or plumbing.
The I.I.I. suggests that homeowners take the following precautions when the temperatures plummet:
Protecting your home.
- Keep the house heated to a minimum of 65 degrees. The temperature inside the walls where the pipes are located is substantially colder than the walls themselves. A temperature lower than 65 degrees will not keep the pipes inside walls from freezing.
- Open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. Keeping water moving within the pipes will prevent freezing.
- Identify the location of the main water shutoff in your home. Learn how to shut the water off and know where your pipes are located. If your pipes freeze, shut off the water immediately to prevent them from bursting.
- If your garage is attached to the house, keep the garage door closed. The door leading to the house is probably not as well-insulated as an exterior door.
Take special care if you plan to be away from home.
- Keep the temperature at a minimum 65 degrees.
- Ask a neighbor to check the house regularly. If there is a problem with the frozen pipes or water leakage, attending to it quickly could mean far less damage.
- If you plan to be away for an extended period of time, have the water system drained by a professional to keep pipes from bursting or freezing.
If damage occurs.
- If you discover that pipes are frozen, don't wait for them to burst. Take measures to thaw them immediately, or call a plumber for assistance.
- If your pipes burst, first turn off the water and then mop up spills. You don't want the water to do more damage than it already has.
- Call your agent. Follow up with a written explanation of what happened.
- Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage. And make sure you save the receipts for what you spend and submit them to your insurance company for reimbursement.
- Remove any carpet or furniture that can be further damaged from seepage.
- Make a list of the damaged articles.
For more information on homeowners insurance, you may also access the Institute's website at www.iii.org. The I.I.I. is a non-profit, communications organization supported by the property/casualty insurance business.