A Homeowner’s Guide to a Safer Home

By RBC Insurance • Published September 20, 2019 • 3 min read
A Homeowner’s Guide to a Safer Home
How to prevent damage from happening, and advice for making a claim if it does.
Water Damage
Common causes:
How to avoid it:
Drain hack: Occasionally filling a large sink with hot water and letting it drain will help to clear the lines and prevent debris buildup.
Wind and Weather
Extreme weather conditions can cause damage to exterior elements including:
How to avoid it:
Winter roof awareness: If your neighbours have significant snowfall on their rooftops in winter and you don’t, it’s likely that heat is escaping. Check for roof damage or insulation deficiencies.
Theft
Common residential break-ins:
How to avoid it:
Anti-burglary tip: When not home, have your lights on a timer, and leave a radio or television on somewhere in the house—be sure to change it up each time you go out.
Fire Damage
Common causes include:
How to avoid it:
Fire hazard warning: The buildup in your dryer’s lint trap is highly flammable and should be cleaned after each use to avoid this surprisingly common cause of house fire.
Tips for Making a Claim
Keeping records of insured property can help to facilitate a claim as fast and seamlessly as possible. When making a claim, include as much info as possible about anything that’s been damaged or stolen, such as:
This article is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. Information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.
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