Summer and early fall are perfect times to do some work on your biggest investment—your home. Doing so can better prepare you for the cold, wintry months ahead. Houses can really take a beating in New England with volatile weather—everything from torrential flooding to blizzards.
If you rely on your Homeowner’s Insurance policy to cover any costs you might incur down the road, you might be in for an unwelcome surprise. That’s why this post is going to give you some helpful tips that you can do yourself to avoid big expenditures later on.
What Homeowner’s Insurance Covers
If you’ve been reading this blog regularly, you’ve learned that most Homeowner’s Insurance will cover damage to your house by a sudden, unavoidable disaster—a recent act of nature such as flooding, or another unexpected event, such as fire or vandalism. However, when you make a claim, your insurance company is going to look at whether or not the damage could have been prevented by regular home maintenance. If that’s the case, more often than not, the insurance company won’t cover it. For this reason, you need to be aware of some problem areas that could be overlooked and cause you greater financial problems in the long run. The following is a helpful checklist:
- Did you check those rain gutters?
Summer storms can really wreak havoc on your house if you don’t have a proper gutter system. First, make sure you have them! Second, check how many years you’ve had them. It’s hard to estimate the exact lifespan of gutters, because it often depends on the weather. But according to the National Association of Home Builders, the average lifespan for galvanized steel and aluminum gutters is 20 years, and for copper gutters, it’s 50 years.
- Roof repairs
If you haven’t been maintaining your roof, you should know that the average cost to replace a roof is about $9,000. You should also know what kind of roof you have, so that you know how long it’s likely to last before it needs to be replaced. The best kind of roof to get is what is known as architectural shingles, which are asphalt shingles. They’re not only great for the aesthetic, textural appeal, but they are also thick and durable. They last 15 to 30 years. The other kinds must be replaced more frequently. For instance, composition shingles last 12 to 20 years, and wood shingles last 20 to 25 years.
- How solid is your foundation?
A home’s foundation is vital to every other architectural element. If you discover a serious foundation problem, it can be very costly. In fact, a whole new foundation can cost up to $40,000. To avoid this headache, it’s good to know the warning signs of foundation issues. Some homeowners worry as soon as they see a crack. But not all cracks are created equally. The more troublesome cracks are those found above doors and windows, and where the wall meets the ceiling. Other cracks to note are those in vinyl or ceramic tile above a concrete floor. If a window or door that used to open and close normally suddenly sticks, jams or won’t open, that could be a sign that something is off. When you check outside, you can use a level to look for any walls that might be leaning to one side. Keep in mind, all houses settle to some degree over time. But if you see something suspicious, it’s best to check it out before it’s too late.
Got a question about your Homeowner’s Insurance policy? It’s always a good idea to meet with professionals, like the ones at Zawada Insurance Agency to go over your specific insurance needs. Talk with us today!
Zawada Insurance Agency, Inc. is a family-owned and operated independent insurance agency, located in Worcester, Massachusetts, serving central Massachusetts and beyond.