According to various sources water damage to your home including damage from frozen pipes accounts for between 20% and 28% of all homeowner’s claims and the average cost of these claims is almost $15,000.00.

There are many sources to be concerned with when trying to mitigate water damage losses. Hot water tanks, sump pumps, basement sewers, washing machines, toilets, bathtubs, you get the idea and I’m not going to even discuss water damage from storms damaging a roof or ice damming.

But if for around $2000.00 you could reduce the chance and or severity of a water damage claim, would you do it?  There are two types of mitigation devices on the market today, what I like to call proactive and reactive.

Proactive devices include turning off the water supply in your home every time you leave but that seems like a real hassle and calling you a device is rude. The more common proactive system shuts off the water to the entire house after it senses a change in normal usage. This change in usage could be caused by a burst pipe, a leaking toilet or a ruptured supply line to a washing machine. The shutoff is installed directly onto your main water supply just after the existing shutoff valve and pressure reducing valve (if your home has one). Most of these systems require an electric outlet in the vicinity, so there could be an additional charge if one needs to be installed. Typically, once the water is shutoff the unit notifies you via an app that the water has been shutoff to the entire house.

Reactive systems are commonly described as water-leak detectors. The devices are placed in areas of your home where there might be a leak that would go unnoticed. Under the dishwasher, washing machine or refrigerator if you have a built-in icemaker. The leak detectors can also be used to detect a back up in your drains. These systems emit a local alarm much like a smoke or carbon monoxide detector in your home. Many of these leak detectors are also equipped with the ability to notify you via an app on your phone. The reason I call these systems reactive is while you have been notified of an issue the issue remains unresolved. What do you do if you are out of town for the weekend?  It’s great you have been made aware of an issue but what can you do?

In conjunction these systems can provide peace of mind and in my opinion that is one of the major things homeowner’s insurance should do for you. In addition, these alarms should lower your insurance premium.  At Richey-Barrett Insurance our Trusted Choice Agents strive to provide you with peace of mind during and after the insurance buying process. So, before you buy or renew your homeowner’s insurance contact Richey-Barrett Insurance for a free no obligation quote.