Understanding the most common home insurance claims can help you protect your property and potentially avoid filing claims that could increase your premiums. While home insurance provides essential financial protection when the unexpected happens, prevention is always better—and less expensive—than dealing with damage after the fact.
Based on insurance industry data and our experience working with Utah homeowners, here are the ten most common home insurance claims and practical steps you can take to prevent them.
1. Wind and Hail Damage
Average Claim Cost: $11,000-$15,000
Wind and hail damage tops the list of home insurance claims nationwide and is particularly relevant for Utah homeowners. The Wasatch Front experiences significant hail events, and strong winds can damage roofs, siding, windows, and outdoor structures.
Prevention Tips:
- Inspect your roof annually for loose, damaged, or missing shingles and repair them promptly
- Trim trees near your house to prevent branches from falling on your roof during storms
- Secure outdoor furniture, grills, and decorations when high winds are forecasted
- Consider impact-resistant roofing materials when it’s time for replacement
- Ensure your gutters are properly secured and maintained
Utah-Specific Considerations: Keep records of your roof’s age and condition. After major hail events that affect your area, have your roof inspected even if you don’t notice obvious damage—hail damage isn’t always immediately visible but can lead to leaks over time.
2. Water Damage and Freezing
Average Claim Cost: $10,000-$12,000
Water damage from burst pipes, frozen plumbing, or plumbing failures represents one of the costliest and most common claims. In Utah’s climate, frozen pipes during winter months are a particular concern, especially during extreme cold snaps.
Prevention Tips:
- Insulate pipes in unheated areas like basements, crawl spaces, and garages
- Disconnect and drain outdoor hoses before winter
- Keep your thermostat at 55°F or higher, even when you’re away
- Know where your main water shut-off valve is located and ensure it’s accessible
- Open cabinet doors under sinks during extremely cold weather to allow warm air circulation
- If you’re leaving for an extended period during winter, have someone check your home regularly
Important Note: Most standard home insurance policies cover sudden water damage but may not cover damage from lack of maintenance or gradual leaks. Regular maintenance is key to both prevention and ensuring coverage if a claim occurs.
3. Fire and Smoke Damage
Average Claim Cost: $75,000+
Fire damage claims are less frequent than water or wind damage but far more expensive when they occur. Cooking fires are the leading cause of home fires, followed by heating equipment and electrical issues.
Prevention Tips:
- Never leave cooking unattended, especially when frying or broiling
- Keep flammable items away from your stove and oven
- Have your furnace and chimney inspected and cleaned annually
- Test smoke detectors monthly and replace batteries at least annually
- Keep a fire extinguisher in your kitchen and know how to use it
- Ensure electrical outlets aren’t overloaded
- Have an electrician inspect older homes for outdated wiring
Utah Mountain Homes: If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have your chimney cleaned and inspected annually. Creosote buildup is a significant fire hazard, particularly in homes where wood burning is frequent during our cold winters.
4. Theft and Burglary
Average Claim Cost: $3,000-$6,000
Property theft claims include stolen belongings and vandalism damage. While home insurance covers theft of your possessions (up to your policy limits), taking preventive measures reduces your risk and may qualify you for insurance discounts.
Prevention Tips:
- Install and use a security system; many insurers offer 5-15% discounts for monitored systems
- Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors
- Use motion-sensor lighting around entry points
- Keep valuables out of sight from windows
- Don’t advertise vacations on social media in real-time
- Build relationships with neighbors who can watch your home when you’re away
- Consider smart doorbell cameras
- Keep expensive items like bikes, tools, and equipment in locked sheds or garages
Important Coverage Note: Standard home insurance has sublimits for certain valuable items like jewelry, collectibles, and electronics. If you own high-value items, consider scheduling them separately or adding a valuable items endorsement to your policy.
5. Liability Claims
Average Claim Cost: $15,000-$30,000
Liability claims occur when someone is injured on your property or when you or a family member accidentally damages someone else’s property. These can include slip-and-fall accidents, dog bites, or injuries in your swimming pool.
Prevention Tips:
- Keep walkways, stairs, and driveways clear of ice, snow, and debris
- Repair uneven pavement, loose steps, or other trip hazards promptly
- Ensure proper lighting around entrances and walkways
- Install handrails on stairs and near pool areas
- If you have a pool, maintain proper fencing and consider additional liability coverage
- If you have a dog, ensure they’re properly trained and controlled around visitors
- Address any hazards visitors might encounter on your property
Utah Consideration: With our snowy winters, keeping walkways and steps clear of ice is both a safety necessity and a liability issue. Make snow and ice removal a priority to protect both your guests and yourself from potential claims.
6. Property Damage from Falling Objects
Average Claim Cost: $5,000-$8,000
This category includes damage from falling trees, tree limbs, or other objects striking your home. While you can’t prevent every instance, regular maintenance significantly reduces risk.
Prevention Tips:
- Have trees inspected by an arborist, especially older or damaged trees
- Remove dead or dying trees near your home
- Trim branches that overhang your roof or are within 10 feet of your house
- After major storms, inspect trees for damage or instability
- Don’t wait to address trees that are obviously leaning or damaged
Coverage Consideration: Your homeowners insurance typically covers damage from falling trees regardless of whether they’re from your property or a neighbor’s, as long as the tree was healthy and the damage wasn’t due to negligence.
7. Damage from Weight of Ice, Snow, or Sleet
Average Claim Cost: $15,000-$20,000
Utah’s significant snowfall can cause roof damage or collapse, particularly during heavy, wet snow events. Older roofs or those with inadequate support are most vulnerable.
Prevention Tips:
- Remove heavy snow accumulation from your roof using a roof rake (safely from the ground)
- Ensure your attic is properly insulated and ventilated to prevent ice dams
- Address any signs of roof stress like sagging or cracking immediately
- If your roof is older, have a structural engineer evaluate whether it meets current snow load requirements
- Clear gutters before winter to prevent ice dam formation
Utah-Specific Risk: Ice dams are particularly problematic along the Wasatch Front. They form when heat escapes through your roof, melts snow, and the water refreezes at the eaves, potentially causing significant water damage inside your home.
8. Accidental Damage
Average Claim Cost: $3,000-$7,000
Accidental damage covers things like accidentally putting a hole in the wall, spilling paint on carpet, or breaking a window. These everyday accidents are more common than you might think.
Prevention Tips:
- Use furniture pads under items that might scratch floors
- Be careful when moving large furniture or appliances
- Supervise children during activities that could damage property
- Exercise caution during DIY projects
- Consider whether filing a claim for minor damage is worth a potential rate increase
Claim Consideration: Before filing any claim, calculate whether the cost exceeds your deductible by enough to make filing worthwhile. Small claims can increase your premiums, so sometimes it’s more cost-effective to pay for minor repairs yourself.
9. Electrical or Power Surge Damage
Average Claim Cost: $5,000-$10,000
Power surges from lightning strikes or electrical issues can damage appliances, electronics, and home systems. While home insurance typically covers sudden damage from power surges, protection is better than a claim.
Prevention Tips:
- Install whole-house surge protection at your electrical panel
- Use quality surge protectors for valuable electronics
- Unplug sensitive electronics during thunderstorms
- Have your home’s electrical system inspected, especially if your home is older
- Consider upgrading outdated electrical panels
Coverage Note: Standard policies usually cover power surge damage from lightning but may have limitations on coverage for other sources. Review your policy details and consider equipment breakdown endorsements for comprehensive protection.
10. Damage from Animals or Pests
Average Claim Cost: $2,000-$5,000
Damage from wild animals or pests like rodents, raccoons, or bats can be costly and is often not covered by standard home insurance policies. However, sudden damage from larger animals like deer may be covered.
Prevention Tips:
- Seal entry points where animals might enter your attic, crawlspace, or walls
- Keep garbage in secure containers
- Don’t leave pet food outside
- Cap chimneys to prevent animal entry
- Address any signs of pest infestation immediately
- Keep landscaping trimmed away from your home
Important Coverage Limitation: Most home insurance policies exclude damage caused by birds, vermin, rodents, or insects. Prevention is critical since repairs usually come out of your pocket.
The Bottom Line on Loss Prevention
While home insurance provides crucial financial protection, the best strategy is preventing claims before they happen. Regular maintenance, addressing hazards promptly, and being proactive about risk reduction will:
- Keep your home safer and in better condition
- Help you avoid filing claims that could increase your premiums
- Save you the hassle and stress of dealing with property damage
- Potentially qualify you for claims-free discounts on your insurance
Review Your Coverage and Prevention Strategy
Understanding the most common claims helps you both prevent problems and ensure you have appropriate coverage when the unexpected occurs. If you haven’t reviewed your home insurance policy recently, now is a good time to make sure your coverage aligns with your home’s current value and your possessions.
We’re here to help you review your coverage, identify potential gaps, and discuss prevention strategies specific to your home and situation. Contact us today for a complimentary policy review and to discuss how you can protect your home while managing your insurance costs effectively.