Smart Insurance Tips

One of the most common and severe homeowner insurance losses that we see each winter is water damage due to frozen pipes. As the water in pipes freezes it expands, creating enough pressure for pipes to rupture. A burst pipe can release hundreds of gallons of water per hour into your home. Pipes in unheated parts of a home, improperly insulated pipes, and those along outside walls are most vulnerable.

How to prevent frozen pipes:

Arrange for automatic fuel delivery and regular maintenance of your heating system. Your Homeowner policy requires you to maintain heat in your home. Failure to do so could result in the denial of a claim in the event of a pipe burst.
Let faucets drip cold water in extremely cold weather, especially overnight when temperatures are at their lowest. While a small flow of water will not prevent a pipe from freezing, it may prevent it from bursting.
Open the cabinets under your sinks to allow warm air to circulate in the area.
Make sure your attic is well-insulated and sufficiently heated to prevent attic pipes from bursting.
If you leave your home for an extended period during the winter, have the pipes drained or leave the thermostat set to a level that will keep the entire house warm and avoid freezing.
While you are away make sure someone checks your home on a regular basis.
Install an automatic water shut-off valve in your hometo help mitigate damage in the event of a pipe break.
Add a low temperature monitor to your central station alarm system to alert you when your home’s temperature is getting too low.