When it comes to protecting your home, it can sometimes be overwhelming. With so many factors to consider from protecting your physical home to insuring the stuff inside it, it can be difficult to know where to start. Luckily, there are a few basic things you can start doing in order to build a solid defense for your home.
Buy Insurance Coverage
Buy enough home insurance coverage to protect in case of damage. The worst case scenario that you can experience would be to have bought home insurance but for it not to cover you in the case of that fire. On the other hand, you don’t want to be paying too much every month for your home insurance premiums.
Finding the right amount of coverage requires you to think about a few specific situations that you want covered. First, you’ll want to ensure that you have enough coverage to rebuild your home after damage occurs. Second, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough coverage to replace your possessions.
Third, you’ll want to make sure that you can cover liability. And fourth, you’ll want to make sure that your insurance will reimburse you for living expenses incurred after losing a home. Being aware of these different criteria can help you figure out the best insurance policy for your home.
Get Regular Inspections
Get regular inspections to detect issues early. Getting regular inspections of all areas of your home can help you recognize which areas of your home need work. Have professionals perform specific roof inspections, pest inspections, and foundation inspections in addition to more general inspections.
Performing specialized inspections on a routine basis is essential for catching underlying problems that may not initially manifest themselves.
Strengthen the Roof
Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home when it comes to protecting its structural integrity. If your roof is in good repair, you’ll not only be able to protect against leaks that can cause a myriad of problems, but you’ll also be able to prevent heat and cooling loss.
One way to strengthen your roof is to inspect the drains. If your drains are functioning well and are able to effectively channel water from the roof to the ground, you will be able to better protect your roof. Watch for places where the water collects on the roof or drips down the sides of walls. Another way to upgrade your roof is to change out the shingling. Metal roofing is safer than traditional asphalt shingles because of its fire resistance.
Install a Security System
Install a security system in your home in order to protect your home against burglaries that occur relatively often. As you’re considering which kind of security system to purchase, it’s important to know the differences between various kinds. Know the difference between wired and wireless systems.
Some systems have more comprehensive services that are geared to protect against more than just potential burglary. For example, in addition to having burglar alarms, some systems may also have the capacity to notify you of carbon monoxide gas or fire. Whatever you decide you need for your home, be sure to shop around and get informed before making your decision.
Get a Home Warranty
Getting a home warranty is another way to protect your home. Home warranties differ from home insurance in how they protect your home. Whereas home insurance protects your home from any unexpected accidents or problems that could arise, home warranties provide insurance for appliances’ regular wear and tear.
Investing in this kind of warranty can be incredibly beneficial depending on your specific circumstance. Home warranties give you peace of mind and allow you to have access to quality appliance repair or replacement if the need arises for a stable rate each month. On the other hand, in the long-run, buying a home warranty is often more expensive than performing repairs on a case by case basis.
Keep Up with Ongoing Costs
While it may seem obvious that it’s important to stay up on regular costs for a variety of reasons, it actually plays an important role in ensuring that you can protect your home. Though it can sometimes be tempting to put off paying certain fees and costs, doing so could result in damage to your home that can end up being more costly. You should set aside funds so that you can respond quickly to any needs for repairs that arise. Doing so will eliminate more serious problems down the line.
Get Flood Insurance if Necessary
Deciding whether you should get flood insurance depends on a couple different factors. You’ll want to assess the risk of flooding based on the area in which you live. If you live in an area near a river or even near mountains, your home may be at risk in cases when the river exceeds its typical level or when there is major snow runoff. Figure out what flood zone your home is designated to get a more accurate gauge of your flooding risk. You should also consider your home’s design. For example, you could be at heightened risk for floods if your home is situated at the bottom of a hill or if you have a basement.
Have Secure WiFi
When it comes to protecting your home, protecting your WiFi may not initially seem like one of the first things that comes to mind. But it is actually really important. Access to your home’s internet is the gateway to accessing important financial information.
It’s not only important to ensure that your physical home is protected but it’s also important to ensure that the information housed within your home is protected. Invest in a secure wireless router and enable WPA (Wi-Fi Protected Access).
Protecting your home doesn’t have to be completely overwhelming. Start with the suggestions in this article to get on track. And be sure to consult with other professionals as you think about the specific needs of your home.
We can help you to find a home you can feel confident about. Check out our listings to see what we have available!