Common home insurance claims — and what you can do to help prevent them

When it comes to water damage, the key is to be proactive, so issues like older pipe joints or a small crack by your window won't turn into an insurance claim for costly repairs down the road. Here are some things you can do to help prevent water damage in your home:

• Check for leaks. Regularly check under sinks and around appliances for signs of a leak.
• Replace appliance hoses. Replace washing machine and dishwasher hoses as recommended in your users manuals (or sooner, if you see cracks or other signs of wear).
• Clear your eavestroughs and gutters. Hire a professional to clear your eavestroughs and gutters at least twice a year.
• Keep your foundation clear of ice and snow. In the winter, make sure ice and snow aren't piling up too close to your foundation.
• Check your sump pump. If you have a sump pump, check it regularly to make sure it's working, and install a battery backup if possible.
• Seal cracks. Seal any cracks in your foundation and around windows and doors.
• Locate your water shut-off valve. Know where your main water shut-off valve is located, so you can turn your water off in an emergency.
• Protect your belongings. Shut all windows and doors when you leave your home and don’t store any items in places where they could be damaged if water becomes an issue.

While you won't be able to stop a severe storm from overloading the municipal sewer system, there's still a lot you can do to address the risks of a sewer backup happening in your home — and limit the chances of needing to file an insurance claim as a result:

• Install a backwater valve. Hire a plumber to install a backwater valve, which can stop sewage from flowing into your home. 
• Maintain your drains. Regularly check that your drains are free of hair or debris, never pour oil or grease into your sink, and only flush toilet paper down your toilets. 
• Redirect downspouts. Check where your downspouts are directed and, if necessary, redirect them onto your property and away from your foundation.
• Install a sump pump. Consider installing a sump pump in your basement (with a battery backup, if possible) and keep it regularly maintained.
• Maintain your sewer pipes. Hire a professional to inspect and maintain the sewer pipes on your property, including checking for intrusive tree roots.
• Monitor for warning signs. Contact a plumbing professional if you detect any warning signs of a sewer backup, such as blocked drains, bad smells coming from drains, or a toilet that bubbles after flushing.

Hailstorms can happen quite suddenly, and when they do, some of the damage they cause can't be avoided. But there are still some things you can do to help you, and your family, stay safe, reduce your risk of property damage, and limit the chances you’ll need to file a claim after a hailstorm hits.

• Reinforce your exterior with storm-proof upgrades. Consider installing impact-resistant storm shutters, siding, and roofing if you live in an area that's prone to hailstorms.  
• Park in a sheltered area. If hail has been forecasted, park your car in a garage or covered area.
• Reinforce window glass. Apply heavy-duty window safety film to your windows to help prevent shattering.
• Keep an emergency preparedness kit handy. In case of water or power outages, you’ll need staples like water, non-perishable food, flashlights, a battery-powered radio, fresh batteries, personal hygiene items, cash, and a first aid kit. 
• Protect outdoor items. Cover outdoor items such as AC units, barbeques or grills, and patio furniture with hail-resistant material or, if possible, move these items to a sheltered area.
• Stay indoors. During a hailstorm, stay indoors and keep away from windows and skylights.
• Hire a professional to check your roof. After a hailstorm, consider hiring a roofing specialist to check your roof for damage and make any necessary repairs. 

Canada gets hit by around 60 tornadoes a year, with the bulk of them occurring in the Prairie provinces, southern Ontario, and southern Quebec.⁵ Meanwhile, the Atlantic provinces are most at risk of property damage caused by hurricanes developing over the Atlantic ocean during hurricanes season.⁶ But wind doesn't have to hit tornado or hurricane speeds to do serious damage. Even strong gusts can cause the type of significant property damage that can lead to insurance claims for expensive repairs.

Wind damage doesn't just come down to how fast the wind is blowing, either. The damage wind can cause also depends on what it hits. Which means things like unsecured outdoor items, unhealthy or overgrown trees, and worn-out roofing or siding can make your home more vulnerable to strong gusts.

High winds are out of your control, but luckily there are some things you can do to help keep wind-induced property damage low (and reduce the likelihood of needing to make a wind-related damage claim). For example:

• Inspect your home's exterior. Hire experts to inspect your roof, siding, and foundation regularly and make repairs as needed.
• Perform regular tree maintenance. If safe to do so, prune your trees, making sure to remove any unhealthy branches, and consider hiring a professional to cut down any trees on your property that are dead or dying. 
• Manage storm run-off. Keep eavestroughs, gutters, and downspouts clear to handle the heavy rain that often comes with high winds.
• Stormproof your roof, windows, and doors. Keep your roof regularly maintained, install window shutters, apply window film on your windows, and make sure your doors are pressure- and impact-rated.
• Protect outdoor items. When high winds are expected, secure loose outdoor items (for example, patio furniture, kids' toys, and garbage bins) or move them to a more sheltered area.

In 2023, Canada experienced a wildfire season which threatened over 230,000 people and laid waste to 15 million hectares of land.⁷ With their devastating levels of destruction, wildfires in Canada are grabbing the headlines more often, as extreme high temperatures caused by climate change result more frequently in the dry conditions that can easily spark wildland fires.

While property damage from wildfires understandably gets a lot of attention, many fire insurance claims actually begin with everyday risks inside the home. Common causes of house fires include cooking that's been left unattended, aging or frayed electrical wiring, and even lint buildup in a dryer.⁸ And once a fire starts, it can spread fast, causing quick and major damage.

You may not be able to control what happens outside of your home, but inside? Taking fire prevention steps such as the following can go a long way when it comes to helping you keep your home safe and fire-smart—and fire-related claims at bay:

• Don't leave cooking unattended. Don't step away while cooking, especially when using high heat for frying or broiling.
• Keep a fire extinguisher in the kitchen. Store a fire extinguisher in an easily accessible location in your kitchen, make sure you know how to use it, and maintain it regularly so it will work when you need it to.
• Clean out dryer lint. Clear the dryer lint trap after every use, regularly clean lint from the dryer duct and exhaust vent, and follow manufacturer's guidelines for cleaning the dryer unit itself.
• Use electricity safely. Replace damaged electrical cords immediately, don't overload power bars or outlets, and only use extension cords for short-term periods.
• Maintain your smoke alarms. You should have smoke alarms installed on every level of your house, and regularly test them to ensure they're working.
• Clear out flammable material. Trim the trees and shrubs on your property on a regular basis, remove leaves and debris from around your house, and don’t store  firewood or propane tanks close to your home.

Your home insurance is there to support you when things go wrong, but prevention is the best way to be claims-ready. And yes, there'll be times when damage is unavoidable — but the more you know about what causes the different types of damage that lead to common claims, the more you can do to help prevent them.