Fall Is Here: A Quick Insurance Checkup for Your Home and Car

The mornings are cooler, the leaves are turning, and the furnace is probably about to kick on for the first time in months. Fall is one of the best times of year in Ohio, but it is also when a lot of small problems turn into big ones.

A little prep now can save you a lot of stress later. Here is what we tell our clients to look at this time of year.

Clean your gutters

Leaves and clogged gutters are one of the most common reasons water ends up where it should not. When water can’t drain, it can back up under shingles, run down walls, or pool near the foundation.

Policies can respond differently depending on the cause. Damage from neglected maintenance is something insurance generally does not pick up, so staying ahead of it matters.

Get your heat ready

Heating season is also a busy time for house fires. Have your furnace looked at before you really need it, and if you have a fireplace or wood stove, get the chimney inspected and cleaned.

Space heaters need space. Keep them away from curtains, bedding, and furniture, and plug them straight into the wall.

Also take a minute to test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and swap the batteries if needed.

Think about frozen pipes now

Before the first hard freeze, disconnect your garden hoses and shut off outdoor spigots if you can. If you have pipes in an unheated area like a garage or crawl space, it is worth knowing where your main water shutoff is.

This is also a good time to ask about water backup coverage. Sewer and drain backup is often a separate endorsement and is not always included in a standard homeowners policy. It is much easier to ask about now than after a basement floods.

Look up at your roof

Fall is a good time for a quick look at the roof, ideally from the ground or by a professional. Missing shingles, damage around vents, or granules in the gutters can all be signs of wear.

Roof age can also affect how some policies pay a claim, so if yours is getting older, it is worth knowing how your coverage handles it.

Trees and storms

Fall wind storms can bring down limbs. If a tree falls on your home or another covered structure, your policy typically responds to that damage. If a tree falls and does not hit anything, coverage for cleanup is often limited. Every policy is a little different, so it is worth asking us what yours says.

A walk around your yard to spot dead or leaning trees near the house is a good habit.

Watch for deer on the road

October and November are peak months for deer collisions in Ohio, especially around dawn and dusk. If you hit a deer, that is usually handled under comprehensive coverage, not collision. If you are not sure whether you carry it, let us know and we can check.

Daylight saving time ends on November 1, which means more of us will be driving home in the dark. Slow down, and scan the sides of the road.

Wet leaves and early frost

Wet leaves can be as slick as ice, and the first frost often catches people off guard. Leave extra stopping distance, and take a look at your tires and wipers before the weather turns.

If you get a chip in your windshield, do not wait on it. Cold temperatures can turn a small chip into a crack fast. Some policies include glass coverage with a low or zero deductible, so it is worth knowing what you have.

Halloween and holiday guests

With trick-or-treaters and holiday gatherings coming up, keep walkways clear of leaves and wet spots, and make sure steps and railings are in good shape. If someone gets hurt on your property, liability coverage is what steps in to help. For some families, an umbrella policy is worth a conversation too.

A quick fall checklist

• Clean gutters and downspouts

• Service the furnace and clean the chimney

• Test smoke and carbon monoxide detectors

• Disconnect hoses and know where your water shutoff is

• Check the roof for wear

• Trim dead or leaning tree limbs

• Check your tires, wipers, and any windshield chips

• Review your coverage, including water backup, comprehensive, and glass

Not sure where you stand?

If you read through this and are not sure what your policy covers, that is exactly what we are here for. Reach out and we will go through it with you. No pressure, just answers.

Navigate Risk Advisors 440-871-0110 navigateriskadvisors.com