Contents insurance for your home

Disputes may arise, but often only when two parties differ on the value of an item being claimed. However, another persistent issue is when repairs are needed because of neglected upkeep. Insurers frown upon claims that the policyholder could have avoided; thus, homeowners have a duty of care in this regard. Consequently, your insurance company may provide you with a reduced payout, if any at all.

You can keep these sorts of issues at bay by doing a maintenance MOT on your home once a year. A check in the spring would be ideal. It should be easy to detect issues early by doing a few basic checks.

The elements, especially wind, snow, and frost, may be particularly taxing on a house over the course of a year. As a result, most houses experience some issues during the fall and winter, and a check in the spring can prevent a lot of hassle and expense down the road.

You won't have out-of-pocket expenses that could be reimbursed through an insurance payout. In fact, your insurance provider will deny coverage for any expenses you report that can be traced back to preventable maintenance problems.

Here are the 10 items we check during the home's springtime MOT

Get the gutters cleaned. Gutter systems are particularly vulnerable to the effects of debris buildup in the autumn. That has to go. If water is allowed to overflow and seep into the building, the results might be catastrophic if the gutters and downspouts are clogged. But be cautious as you work on this project. It's risky to climb ladders, so have your window cleaner do it instead.

Get your binoculars out; we need to look at the ceiling. Look for tiles that are loose, damaged, or have slipped. The cost of fixing a leaking roof can quickly add up. Costs associated with ceiling damage, decay, and redecorating can add up rapidly. Another problem is one of safety. Someone might get hurt if a tile comes loose. A direct impact is possible on your vehicle as well!

Verify the paint job on the outside of the house. The paintwork must be repaired if it is chipped, flaking, or blistering. Repairing minor flaws in wood prevents further wear and tear. Paintwork can take a shocking beating over the summer. Extreme heat and sudden temperature drops both leave homes vulnerable to the destructive forces of the next winter.

Have the chimney swept after heavy use of an open fire during the winter. Blackened surfaces are flammable and absorb moisture quickly during the heat.

Make sure nothing is blocking the moist air by walking around the house. The most typical offender is accumulated trash in the backyard. Grass clippings are not a helpful addition to your home. Dampness inside your home, despite the presence of a damp course, can harm the plaster and paint on your walls. Rot develops with time.

It's important to plant shrubs and trees where their roots won't do any harm in the future. Your plumbing bills will skyrocket if tree roots find their way into your drains or foundation. Some of the worst offenders are willow and popular trees. A popular tree shouldn't be planted within 150 feet of your home; were you aware of this? Any new home constructed within this range must have extra-strong footings.

While we're on the topic of trees, you might assume that any damage to your building from a tree falling on it would be covered by your homeowner's insurance. If the tree has been properly cared for, then yes. However, what if the tree was already rotted or damaged? That, as you probably realized, is a problem related to upkeep. To blame is you! Any later claim may be denied by the insurer unless you can prove that you exercised appropriate care for the trees. Issues may arise if you have large trees. Get a report every year from a tree surgeon outlining the maintenance that is needed, and then really execute it. Taking this kind of precaution will show that you care about your claim's legitimacy, increasing the likelihood that it will be approved.

To What Extent Do You Have Climbing Plants in Your Home? Make sure they haven't harmed your bricks or render. The most notorious culprit is ivy. Also, it's a bad idea to let plants climb up onto the roof.

Please enter your home at this time. Don't forget to schedule maintenance on your boiler's central heating system; this winter has been brutal. And get its carbon monoxide levels tested. As long as the engineer is there, you might as well have him check out your radiators as well.

Let's go to the attic now. Look for water damage or wires that have been chewed on by rodents. Squirrels are attracted to the insulation around electrical cables and the warmth of attics. Squirrels are the fire department's nemesis. and one that involves getting your hands dirty. While you're at it, get rid of any abandoned nests of birds or wasps and plug up the holes.

If you follow these instructions, your structural insurance claim will be processed smoothly. In addition, your house will adore you.