Every time you make a claim on your home insurance your premiums go up. It doesn’t matter if it’s your fault or not. The moment you experience an accident, theft or act of God that forces you to seek financial assistance from your insurance company you become more of a risk. Before you reach a point where you have to file a claim on your home contents insurance you might want to look at some prevention methods to protect yourself from the risk of fire in your home.
• Keep your home clear of clutter: Dispose of anything that you don’t need. Piles of clothing or other unused items in a home can be a fire hazard. Don’t just throw useless items in a pile in the closet. Throw them out.
• Have your electrical system checked: This is particularly important if you live in an older home. Have your electrical system checked by a professional to make sure all wiring, conduits and outlets are functioning properly.
• Keep flammables stored in a cool, dry place: Heat can cause combustion in flammable chemicals and moisture can cause the containers they are stored in to corrode and leak. Keep items like gasoline, turpentine and propane in cool dry places where the risk of fire is less likely.
• Always check stoves, ovens and electric heaters: Make sure everything is shut off before you leave the house. A simple routine that takes just a few minutes could save you thousands of pounds in damages later on. Also, keep cooking surfaces clean. Most fires in the home are started in the kitchen and can spread rapidly over greasy or oil covered surfaces.
The contents insurance that covers your home may or may not cover everything that you lose in a fire. When you first purchase the insurance policy, make sure that fire is covered as a cause and make a list of all items that make up the contents of your home. This list should be itemised with values and purchase receipts whenever available.
Antiques and jewellery should be appraised and those appraisal slips should be kept in a safe place away from the home. Help to prevent fires by taking the steps above and help avoid heavy losses by maintaining the right home contents insurance. Don’t look for bargains or try to cut corners when it comes to insurance. You pay the price in the long run if you’re not properly covered.
