Property damage covers an injury to real property (land and anything permanently attached to it), such as your home, and personal property (anything you take with you when you move). Claims for property damage can be made in a variety of ways. Preventing property damage can be easy.
Storm Damage
Storm damage is an unfortunate but common reason for home insurance claims. Strong winds can uproot trees, damage roofs and shatter windows. While some wind damage is unavoidable, there are some simple steps homeowners can take to limit their risk. For example, homeowners can prune overhanging trees and fortify roofs before severe weather hits. Before a storm, they can also move outdoor furniture, trash cans and other potential projectiles indoors.
Additionally, homeowners can inspect their property for physical hazards and shut off power, gas and water services before a storm hits. They should also always assume that downed power lines are energized and dangerous. Lastly, homeowners should regularly clean their gutters to ensure that water has somewhere to escape and prevent flooding and mold growth. Water damage is another leading cause of property damage, but it is easily preventable with proper maintenance and inspections from a restoration company.
Water Damage
The most frequent type of property damage that homeowners experience is water damage. It can lead to mold spores, warped walls and floors, ruined appliances, and structural damage. It also presents a health risk due to potential bio-hazard contamination. Many people experience water damage due to a faulty appliance, a burst pipe or a flooded basement, but it can happen anytime. Even small leaks must be addressed immediately, as they can quickly worsen. Water will spread evenly throughout your home within minutes, soaking anything it touches. It includes your walls, carpets, books and furnishings. Within a week, mildew will grow, wood and metal may swell, and rust and corrosion can occur. If it’s contaminated black water, like sewage, the risks are exponentially higher and must be treated cautiously. Through a property damage case, you can obtain compensation for the price of repairing or replacing your property.
Fire Damage
Although they don’t account for as many insurance claims as flooding or storm damage, fires can still be catastrophic. It only takes seconds for a home fire to turn into an inferno, and the resulting property damage is devastating. Some causes of house fires are preventable, such as cooking mishaps and electrical fires caused by faulty appliances or wiring. However, most are caused by carelessness. For example, burning a candle or dropping a lit cigarette can cause a fire that spreads quickly. Before the cleanup process starts, keep a list of your valuables and take detailed pictures of the damage. In addition, have your home inspected frequently for signs of wear that can be easily overlooked. At least once a year, test the operation of your smoke detectors and replace the batteries. Also, make sure that gas and propane lines are well-maintained. Natural and propane gas is combustible and can explode under certain conditions.
Burglary
The crime of burglary involves unlawfully entering a building to commit a theft or other felony. Burglary differs from robbery in that no victim is present and can be achieved even without violence. Burglary can be executed in any permanent structure, including a house, store, railroad car or stable (but not an automobile). It needs to be done to steal or do something else wrong inside. Many states also categorize burglaries by whether the building is a residence or business, with laws punishing residential burglary more severely. It’s important to keep ladders, tools and other objects away from your home, as these can give burglars access to high windows or roof areas. Before or at the time of entrance, the defendant must have intended to conduct a crime to be found guilty of burglary. It means he must have a clear plan before breaking into the structure and cannot change his mind once inside the building.
