Home Insurance Tips: How to Prevent Property Damage

Buying your home has taken a lot of time and effort — and the last thing you want is for something like a fire, flood, or burglary to wreak havoc and damage your house. Luckily, there are ways of protecting your most valuable possession. Dialdirect can give you tips on how to prevent property damage, and, with our buildings insurance we can help shield you from severe financial loss if a mishap does occur.

What is property damage?  

Property damage is any harm to the structure — partial or total — of a house or building on your property. There are many ways a property can be damaged. Sometimes it is due to an accident or negligence, such as a fire that breaks out due to faulty wiring. It can also be caused by malfunctioning equipment, such as a geyser that bursts suddenly, causing damage to walls and floors. Sometimes property damage is caused by a natural event such as a weather disaster that can lead to destruction from high winds, flooding or a lightning strike. 

Property damage can also be caused by a third party, for example, when a car crashes into the wall of a house. Malicious damage to property can also take place, through a deliberate criminal act, such as when doors and windows are broken during a burglary.

What is property damage liability? 

Property damage liability insurance is a policy that protects you if you are involved in an accident where you are at fault. Although legally required in many countries, it is not compulsory in South Africa, but, nevertheless, very sensible to have. This type of insurance covers the cost of repairs if you damage another person’s vehicle or property.

How does building insurance work concerning property damage? 

While it may seem like the chances of anything happening to your home are unlikely, events like fires, lightning strikes, floods and vandalism do happen, and, if they do, having home or buildings insurance isn’t just nice to have, it’s a necessity. That’s why, if you have a bond, you will probably have to take out buildings insurance. 

A home insurance policy protects the structure of your home, as well as permanent fixtures — like garages, swimming pools (although not the equipment), outbuildings, walls, fences and windows — from damage effects. 

Insurance for property damage will compensate you if any part of the structure of your home is damaged. It will cover the cost of repairs or even a complete rebuild if it’s necessary. If you have to move out temporarily while the repairs take place, the cost of your stay elsewhere is covered by Dialdirect’s buildings insurance, as is the cost of a guard to protect your home. 

However, you need a separate insurance policy, known as home contents insurance, to cover damage to the contents of your home. 

Common types of property damage in South Africa 

Over the last few years, there have been several reasons why homeowners have been submitting property insurance claims. Some of the most common claims in South Africa are for fire and smoke damage, theft and burglary, damage caused by power surges and water damage. To find out more about these types of insurance claims, look at Common property insurance risks in SA.  

Top home insurance tips: reduce property damage 

While it’s vital to have home insurance to safeguard your home, it is also a good idea to implement safety measures to prevent property damage from happening in the first place. 

Home insurance protects us financially if the worst happens; however, it is always better if you never have to make a claim. This is because making a claim can increase monthly insurance premiums, and if you are found to have been negligent, your insurer might not pay you out at all. Here are some precautions you can implement to protect your property from damage to avoid either of these occurrences.

1. Safeguard your home against fire

Fire and smoke damage[1] are listed among the top reasons South Africans have filed home insurance claims. Fire can cause extensive property damage and be very costly to repair. One way to prevent a fire from breaking out is to inspect your wiring routinely and repair any issue as soon as you notice it. Install smoke detectors, just to be on the safe side. 

2. Avoid the impact of natural disasters

Aside from not buying a home in a flood zone, there are some other things you can do to prevent weather-related damage. Firstly, secure any items that might be lifted by high winds that could crash through windows, like outdoor tables and chairs. To avoid damage from heavy rain, ensure your roof is in good condition and regularly clean the gutters.  

3. Protect your property against theft

Don’t be an easy target! There are some ways you can deter criminals from targeting your home. Ensure that you keep your gates, windows and doors closed and locked. Burglar proof all your windows and ensure your locks are of good quality. We suggest that you invest in a good quality, electronic driveway gate and have an alarm system. You can even use electric fences to keep out intruders. A reliable CCTV system placed on the perimeter of your property is a good idea, and so too is having motion-sensor lights. 

4. Maintain your home to an acceptable standard

Keeping your home maintenance up to date can go a long way toward preventing property damage. Do regular checks on things like the wiring system, leaking pipes and damaged roofs — and fix any problems as soon as they arise. It’s also a good idea to clean out gutters yearly and prune trees with wayward or dead branches. This can potentially stop them from breaking off and hitting your home. 

Get insurance for property damage from Dialdirect

Sometimes, despite all possible precautions, accidents happen, and your home is damaged. In those moments, you realise just how important it is to have good building insurance. For the best insurance for your home, contact Dialdirect for a quote today. We will do everything we can to help you safeguard your home. 

Sources:

[1] iol.co.za - Fires are top cause of expensive insurance claims loss by value in SA.

Disclaimer: The information in this article is provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial, legal, or medical advice.