New research shows why property owners really need to be more concerned with wind damage. In accordance with data released by the insurance company Travelers, wind damage nudged ahead of hail, water, theft, fire, as well as others to be the top homeowner’s insurance claim. But it’s the single thing that home owners are least likely to protect their homes against, says Scott Humphrey, the second vice president of risk control at Travelers.
Wind can cause tree branches to detach and hit the home, lift up roof shingles, or damage doors and windows, Humphrey says.
This will cause by far the most Damage to a Home
To protect your home in a strong storm with high winds, home owners should ensure dangling branches are removed, secure windows with plywood, and secure a garage with vertical braces, says Crissinda Ponder, a real estate analyst for Bankrate.com. Also, home owners should be proactive in repairing or replacing any loose or damaged shingles and also have door bolts to keep doors in position, she adds.
Wind damage is included by most standard home insurance policies. However, home owners in coastal and hurricane-prone areas might discover wind damage excluded from their policies and may have to purchase a separate windstorm policy.
The study revealed the following five most frequent causes of homeowner’s insurance claims:
Exterior wind damage: 25% (percentage of claims)
Non-weather related water damage (i.e. plumbing and appliance issues): 19%
Hail: 15%
Weather-related damage from water: 11%
Theft: 6%
