Home Insurance Florida | Home insurance claims can be mitigated throughout the year by adhering to regular home maintenance schedules. One of the best ways to make sure you’re accomplishing your home maintenance goals is to break them up into seasons. Even though in Florida, we don’t have a dramatic shift in weather, some lower temperatures do occur and precipitation does fluctuate throughout seasonal shifts.
With hurricane season ending, now is a good time to conduct a thorough inspection of your Florida home to determine if it sustained any unseen damage during the tropical weather season. If you have to file a claim on your home insurance policy, you will have more information to present the adjuster with if you have been keeping a regular eye on your home from top to bottom throughout the year.
Use this helpful list to begin your autumn home maintenance schedule.
Home Fire Safety Check
It is rare we have opportunity to use the heating in Florida so if we do turn it on, it is likely to be a bit out of date. Use Autumn to prepare for the fun of one or two days where it feels brisk enough to cut on your heater. Check all smoke detectors and replace batteries as needed. Clean coils of any space heaters or wall units that you have access to. Have your fireplace cleaned and inspected and make sure the flue is open before lighting a fire this winter. Check fire extinguishers for expiration dates and ensure that they are in proper working order and placed near heat sources.
Gutter Cleaning
Although falling leaves in Florida are a rare sight, a busy tropical summer could have blown a lot of plant debris around. If your gutters are doing their job, they will get clogged up. Clogged gutters can cause roof leaks, water damage and far more serious problems if left unattended. Gutters are relatively easy to clean yourself, but if you feel more comfortable, hire a company to do this task for you.
Window and Door Sealing Check
In Florida homes, this is more preventative for next spring and summer storm season than it is for energy efficiency in winter. If your windows or doors are drafty, they have the potential to let in wind driven rain. Take advantage of seasonal home improvement savings at big box stores and reseal or caulk any drafty areas in your home.
Related Post: Fixing Seals on Windows and Doors
Yard Cleaning
Now that hurricane season is beginning to slow down, it’s a great time to inspect any trees on your property for damaged or dead limbs. Trim back any overgrown plants and enjoy a nice clean outdoor space through the comfortable Florida winter months. Now that you’re heading into the drier months, plant some new flowers that might like slightly more delicate treatment. Replace pine straw or wood chips that may have shifted over the summer and tidy up any shrubs or bushes that are creeping up walls or covering windows.
Roof Inspection
Hire a licensed professional to inspect your roof for any damage. Have them inspect around skylights, pipes and chimneys for damage. If shingles or tiles are buckling, loose or broken, determine whether the roof should be replaced. It’s important to note that the material that your roof is made out of often determines how long it will last and when you will need a full roof replacement.
Interior and Exterior Painting
Fall and winter weather in Florida can make it a fantastic time to tackle the big job of painting your home. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy several months of your home’s fresh look. Look for chipping paint areas and be sure they are properly prepared before painting. Simply painting over old peeling paint can mean you’re back in the same boat next season.
Alert your home insurance company of any major renovations to make your policy covers you during construction. Don’t forget to check if your autumn upgrades make you eligible for discounts or incentives.
If you are ready to find a new home insurance quote in Florida this autumn, they are free and easy and can help you make a more informed decision about your home insurance policy. Visit American Integrity Insurance for a free, no obligation home insurance quote in Florida.
American Integrity Insurance is committed to providing Florida homeowners with sound, comprehensive insurance coverage and an extraordinary customer experience. We strive to be a valued partner to our policyholders, agents, and community.
We offer traditional and high valued homeowners insurance, condo insurance, renters insurance, and the special coverage required for vacant homes, manufactured homes, and policies designed for those who need less coverage or are renting out their home. We also offer extra protection, including flood insurance, umbrella insurance, golf cart insurance, boat insurance, cyber coverage and identity theft protection as well as equipment breakdown coverage, to help address a broad range of needs facing Florida homeowners today