Safe and Insurable Exterior Property

Check your policy to verify your coverage. Make sure you comply with rules for fencing, lighting, and the structural integrity of decks and outdoor features. Maintain fencing, gates, and safety latches for all pools and spas. Chimneys. Unreinforced masonry structures like cornices, chimneys, and other architectural features can topple if an earthquake shakes the neighborhood. Consider strengthening, removing, or replacing them. Landscaping. In wildfire areas, brush and leaves must be cleared from around the house. Trim branches extending over the roof. In high wind areas, consider removing older trees showing signs of decay. Liabilities to Consider A homeowner's pleasures might become a neighbor's perils. Walk your property and check for potential problems. An old tree could fall on a neighbor's home. A roaming pet might be unpredictable with neighborhood children. A swimming pool or trampoline may entice uninvited young users. Check your coverage. Key Risk-Reduction Areas Sidewalks, steps. Keep paths level and free of ice and snow. If you have a bad patch of sidewalk, contact the local municipality to determine who is responsible for maintaining and/or repairing it. Garage door. This is the largest moving object in a home and can exert deadly force. It must be properly installed, operated, maintained, and tested to provide safe operation. All garage doors should be equipped with sensors that reverse or stop the action if an object is in the way. Landscaping. Trim trees and have them inspected by a professional for rot, disease, or weakness. Pets. About one-quarter of injury claims against homeowner liability policies are related to dog bites. Make sure you protect your guests and keep dogs safely fenced or restrained when outside. Pools, hot tubs. Check for local ordinance requirements for safe pools and spas. Minimize risks by restricting access with fences, gates, and safety latches. Trampoline, other play equipment. Position on soft energy-absorbing surface in a clear area within a safe fall-zone free of toys, chairs, trees, and shrubs. Set rules for safe use. Get Appropriate Coverage Homeowner insurance offers structure, belongings, and liability protection. But a homeowner needs the right coverage in the correct amount. Many homeowners are underinsured. A policy that covers risks to the home should cover the cost of rebuilding it at current construction costs. Don't confuse its real-estate value with what it would cost to rebuild. In addition, don't purchase just enough insurance to satisfy the mortgage lender because that is not a sufficient investment to protect your equity. Standard home insurance provides coverage for disasters such as fire, lightning, and hurricanes, but does not cover floods even from a hurricane. Only a flood insurance policy through the National Flood Insurance Program covers flood-related losses. The limits for liability coverage generally start at $100,000. Coverage protects the homeowner against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that the homeowner, family members, or pets may cause to other people. An umbrella or excess liability policy provides even broader coverage and higher limits, including claims against a homeowner for libel and slander. Policies typically cost $200 to $350 for $1 million of additional liability protection. Be sure to purchase enough to protect your assets. More Information on Insurable Property.

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