Water damage can be a devastating and costly experience for any homeowner. Whether caused by floods, leaky pipes, or other water sources, it can cause significant structural damage to your home and belongings. Fortunately, HBW Insurance Group serving Catonsville, MD, provides tips and advice on protecting your property from water damage. They include:

Insuring Your Property

Proper insurance coverage is the best way to protect your home from water damage. Ensure you are adequately insured for various scenarios, such as flooding, burst pipes, and other water sources. Check with your insurer to ensure you have the right plan before any potential water damage occurs.

Reviewing Your Home for Potential Water Damage

Take the time to inspect your home regularly for any signs of water damage. Look for signs of water leakage, such as discolored paint and warped walls. Pay special attention to areas prone to floodings, such as basements and crawl spaces. Ensure all gutters, downspouts, and other drainage systems remain free of debris or blockages.

Maintaining Plumbing System

Maintaining your home’s plumbing system is important to prevent water damage. Inspect all pipes and faucets for any signs of leakage or corrosion. Replace any cracked seals or corroded fixtures that could lead to a leak. It is also important to regularly inspect your water heater and other appliances that use water, such as dishwashers and washing machines, for any potential problems.

Cleaning Gutters and Downspouts

Gutters and downspouts are designed to prevent water from pooling around your home’s foundation and seeping into the walls or basement. It is essential to clean these systems regularly to ensure they are clear of debris, such as leaves and twigs. This will help prevent water from pooling around your home and potentially causing damage.

Keep Your Property Safe With Flood Insurance

Flood insurance is a great way to protect your property from potential water damage caused by floods. At HBW Insurance Group, serving Catonsville, MD, we can help you to obtain the right coverage for your needs. Contact us today to learn more about our flood insurance plans.

Becoming a homeowner is one of the most significant achievements in your life. A home provides shelter and a sense of belonging, which is why you need a homeowner insurance cover especially to those residing in Catonsville, MD. Buying insurance policy should not be a topic for debate but a necessity for your property. HBW Insurance Group offers a lifetime solution to those living in Catonsville, MD.

 However, in case of the damage to your home or personal property due to natural disaster, there is a process that needs to be followed step by step when filing for homeowners insurance claim settlement. Through HBW Insurance Group, you will get plenty of assistance available to recover your property. Some situations can push you to claim your home insurance depending on the policy.

Most of the insurance policies on homes state that you should file a claim within the time limit. It does not matter whether the damage is covered by the policy or not. The company expects you to read and understand the policy carefully before getting repair estimates to determine the cost of the damage. In that respect, the insurance company assumes that you report damages within two weeks or not more than thirty days except for theft claims. Some of the common damages to the property are caused by water, fire, wind or other natural disasters.

A personal injury occurs mainly on your property when someone is injured. Claims of personal injury are among the highest, and as such, the insurance company advises you to file a claim as a protective measure should the victim’s family take legal action. However, this incident calls for you to file a claim no matter your deductible or the amount of the claim.

Therefore, for more advice and guidance on the homeowner insurance policy, reach out to HBW Insurance Group at Catonsville, MD.

When you own your own home, one of the most important things you can do is purchase homeowners insurance. Without this type of insurance, you are leaving yourself vulnerable to having to dip into your own pocket to pay for things that go wrong with your home, such as damage to it by fire. With homeowners insurance, though, you can rest assured that your home will be protected against a variety of claims. And in the event that a claim has to be made, your insurance policy will help ensure that your home is restored to its original state. 

What about flood insurance?

If your purchase insurance for your home, it is imperative to understand that it likely does not cover flood damage. This is why you need to assess whether or not you need to buy additional insurance in the form of flood insurance. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is highly recommended that you purchase flood insurance. Fortunately, the company that you have purchased your home insurance through may be able to provide you with a flood insurance policy as well. If the company cannot, it should at least be able to direct you in the right direction to a company that sells flood insurance. This company can help you decide what type of flood insurance policy will work best for you. 

Don’t Wait! Get Flood Insurance Today 

It is important that you do not wait long to invest in flood insurance. You never know when a flood might happen and could cause great damage to your house. To learn more about flood insurance, please contact the HBW Insurance Group serving the Catonsville, MD area.

Summer vacation can be the highlight of the season. If you’re traveling far from home, take time to secure your property before leaving. With advanced preparation, you can keep your home safe from theft, vandalism, and intrusion during your absence. Here are a few ways you can safeguard your property while you’re gone.

Home Repairs

Before taking off on vacation, make vital home repairs that weaken your security such as cracked windows, faulty locks, broken screens, etc. Look around your Catonsville, MD property to see what fix it jobs are necessary to protect your property and get these done.

Landscaping

Make sure your yard work is up to date to include mowed lawn, trimmed hedges, weeded garden, etc. If you’re taking a prolonged vacation, pay someone to care for your landscaping while you’re gone. An unkempt yard is a sure sign that no one is home, which could attract the attention of thieves.  

Security System

Invest in a security system with motion detectors, window sensors, and security cameras to protect your property. You can also set up automatic timers for indoor and outdoor lights to give the impression that someone is home and looking after the property. 

Mail

Ask a neighbor to pick up your mail or have the post office hold your mail while you’re gone. Piled up mail is yet another sign that no one is on the property.  

Neighbor Checks

Ask a neighbor to keep an eye on your property during your absence. A conscientious, friendly neighbor can be your best deterrent against theft or vandalism. 

Summer is also a good time to review your homeowner’s insurance with HBW Insurance Group, Catonsville, MD, to make sure your policy is up to date. Adequate insurance coverage from HBW Insurance Group will keep your home safe from any eventuality.

Whether you have your dream home or not in Catonsville, MD, it’s understandable that you might take the DIY approach in some instances. While this can save you money, it’s important to know how it will impact your homeowner’s insurance.

Electrical Problems

Electrical is tricky and it’s why there are licensed electricians. If you end up starting a fire in your home because of DIY electrical work, it might not be covered on home insurance. To find out more about what is and isn’t covered, it’s a good idea to talk with an agent at HBW Insurance Group.

Plumbing

Plumbing issues tend to be complicated as well. You don’t want to run into an issue where you cause more damage than what was already in place. Professional plumbers will be able to assess the problem and let you know what needs to be done.

Security

Just as there are problems with DIY, there are also advantages. You can decide to install your own security system. If it’s monitored, you will also be able to save money on your insurance premiums because of taking an added safety precaution.

Fencing

Building your own fence might be easier than you think. As to whether you decide on aluminum, PVC, or another material, it provides a barrier around your property. This also serves as a deterrent to potential crimes on your property.

Ultimately, it comes down to knowing what you’re doing and following the various rules and regulations. If you do work that requires a permit, you need to pull the permit to follow city code. If at any point you’re not sure what you’re doing, it’s best to work with a contractor in Catonsville, MD.

For more information about obtaining home insurance and how to get an affordable premium, contact us at HBW Insurance Group today.

 

Water damage inside a home is a common occurrence simply because people do not take the right precautions. Whether it is a small or large amount of damage doesn’t really matter. You will still have to take care of the damage as soon as possible to avoid further issues. For your home in Catonsville, MD, however, it is always better to prevent water damage than to fix it. Use these tips from HBW Insurance Group to prevent water damage in your home:

• Watch Where You Plant. You may love having trees in your yard but you should make sure you place them in an area where they cannot interfere with water lines as they mature. 
• Keep an Eye on Your Water Bill. One of the best ways to detect water damage before it gets too bad is by keeping an eye on your water bill. You should always keep track of your usage and if something seems off or your bills is larger without you actually using more water, it could be due to a water leak problem. Detecting this change quickly is key. 
• Don’t Pour Grease Down Your Sink. You never want to do this because even if you pour it with cold or hot water, it can still create a block that will be a bigger issue for you later. Protect your pipes and don’t pour grease down them. 

Even with the best prevention methods, you may still find yourself with water damage. Sometimes, you cannot prevent it at all. To better protect yourself, your finances, and your home, make sure you have a good home insurance policy in place that have a water damage clause. Contact HBW Insurance Group, serving Catonsville, MD, today to ensure you are protected and to get a free quote. 

As a homeowner, keeping up with repairs and maintenance can be an unending struggle. Especially in an older house with rattling doors and windows. You realize the cold air is seeping in around the edges as the winter wind blows, but have you taken the time to determine just how secure the aging portals into your Catonsville, MD home are? HBW Insurance Group offers up some simple tips to help improve the security of your home while protecting your family.

Replace Loose Door and Window Locks

If the door knob to the back door has been rattling for years, now is the time to have it replaced. Burglars love to look for the easy way in. A loose lock indicates that perhaps the rest of the home is equally easy to invade. For a few dollars and a couple hours of your time, loose and broken locks can be replaced providing one more deterrent to the curious home invader.

Fix Broken Window Panes

There’s nothing that indicates that a home is an easy target more than an exterior that has been allowed to fall into disrepair. You don’t have to replace the window with a new one if the frame is still in good shape. However, by ensuring that all the glass is in one piece, you are telling a potential burglar that not only do you care for your home, you will make it hard for them to find anything of value inside as well.

So often homeowners put off the small maintenance tasks thinking they will replace the problem area sometime in the future. However, by spending just a few dollars to fix a broken window or door instead, you can end up saving money on improvements and protect your home against burglars. Ask your agent at HBW Insurance Group in the Catonsville, MD area for more tips on how to protect your largest investment against loss.