How can I avoid home insurance claims?
Homeowners claims remain common. The current industry benchmark from the Insurance Information Institute (Triple‑I) is that about one in 20 insured homes files a claim in a typical year (Triple‑I homeowners statistics). Earlier sources cited higher rates such as one out of every 15, but today’s widely referenced benchmark is ~5%. By cause, wind and hail generate the most claims, water damage and freezing are also frequent, and fire and lightning produce the highest average payouts. Representative average claim amounts from Triple‑I’s latest five‑year ISO/Verisk dataset show: fire/lightning ≈ $83,519 per claim, water/freezing ≈ $12,000+, wind/hail ≈ $11,000+, and theft ≈ low $4,000s (Triple‑I). Fire and lightning also account for roughly a quarter of incurred losses in that dataset (Triple‑I losses by cause). The loss environment has been elevated, with a record 28 U.S. billion‑dollar weather and climate disasters in 2023 and another unprecedented count in 2024 (preliminary), and industry research reporting record‑high homeowners claim severity in 2024 (NOAA; LexisNexis 2025 U.S. Home Trends). Your best defense is targeted prevention for the top loss drivers and making sure your policy terms (deductibles, roof settlement, and key endorsements) match your risk.
Wind and hail
Wind and hail are the most frequent homeowners claims (Triple‑I). Severe convective storms (hail, straight‑line winds, tornadoes) have driven elevated losses, and the U.S. has set back‑to‑back records for billion‑dollar weather disasters (NOAA). Reduce damage potential by trimming dead limbs, securing outdoor items, reinforcing doors and windows, and keeping roofs in top condition (consider Class 3/4 impact‑rated shingles). Know your policy terms: many policies in hurricane‑exposed and other wind/hail‑prone regions use separate percentage deductibles for wind, named storms, or hurricanes (often 1–5% of Coverage A), which materially change out‑of‑pocket costs (Triple‑I on hurricane deductibles). In some coastal zones, wind may be excluded and purchased separately via state wind pools (e.g., TWIA in Texas) (Texas Department of Insurance). Post‑2020, more policies also settle older roofs at actual cash value (ACV) and may exclude cosmetic hail damage; ask your agent about roof RCV options and any cosmetic‑damage exclusions. Typical wind/hail claims average in the low‑teens per claim (≈$11,000+) per current Triple‑I benchmarks (source).
Water damage and freezing
There are two types of water damage: weather-related and non-weather-related. Weather-related water damage often follows heavy rain or snow, which have increased in many U.S. regions (EPA heavy precipitation indicator). Lower your risk by keeping gutters and downspouts clear, improving grading and extending downspouts away from the foundation, and using below‑grade protections like sump pumps with battery backup and automatic backwater valves (FEMA P‑312). Remove excessive snow from your roof (carefully).
Non-weather-related water damage usually happens when something in your house leaks or bursts. Today’s best practice is to install a whole‑home automatic water shutoff/flow monitor and place spot leak sensors under appliances and fixtures; replace rubber supply hoses with braided stainless on washers/dishwashers/ice‑makers; add a drain pan and sensor at the water heater; and ensure HVAC air handlers have condensate safety switches (IBHS). For freeze protection, insulate pipes in unconditioned spaces, seal air leaks, let faucets drip during deep freezes, open sink cabinets, maintain heat at or above 55°F when away, and use temperature/flow monitoring (Ready.gov). Smart leak detectors and shutoff systems are now widely tested and recommended (Consumer Reports).
One thing to note on water-related damage: The vast majority of home insurance policies do not cover floods. If you live in a flood-prone area, ask your insurance provider about adding flood insurance to your policy, or visit floodsmart.gov. Also review Triple‑I’s flood insurance overview and FEMA’s 2024 Flood Insurance Market Report on the growth of private flood options. Consider adding a sewer/water‑backup endorsement (often $5,000–$25,000+ limits) and be aware of any mold sublimits and remediation timeframes in your policy (Triple‑I). On average, water/freezing claims are in the low‑to‑mid teens per claim (≈$12,000+) per current Triple‑I benchmarks (source).
Fire and lightning
Fire damage is not the most frequent claim, but it is the most expensive. Based on Triple‑I’s latest five‑year ISO dataset (2018–2022), the average homeowners fire and lightning claim is about $83,519 per claim (Triple‑I), and lightning‑only claims typically exceed $1 billion nationwide each year with average lightning claim costs in the high‑teens to low‑$20,000s (Triple‑I lightning stats). Earlier published figures such as $50,315 highlight how much severity has risen. Reduce risk by installing and testing smoke alarms, keeping cooking areas clear and attended, servicing and cleaning chimneys, and avoiding overloaded circuits or frayed cords; have older wiring inspected. Given rising rebuild costs and code upgrades, consider increasing Ordinance or Law (code‑upgrade) coverage. Industry trend studies report record‑high homeowners claim severity recently, reinforcing the value of proactive fire safety and adequate limits (LexisNexis 2025 U.S. Home Trends).
Bodily injury and property damage to others
This coverage addresses your liability if someone is injured on your property (or if your property causes damage to others). Reduce hazards by fixing uneven walkways and stair treads, securing handrails, repairing rotted decking, supervising pools/trampolines, and responsibly managing pets. Liability claims are less frequent than property claims but can be costly; medical inflation and litigation dynamics have pushed severity higher in recent years (BLS CPI – medical components; industry trends). Review your homeowners liability limits and consider a personal umbrella for additional protection (commonly $1M–$2M) to help manage catastrophic injury judgments once base limits are exhausted (Triple‑I context).
Theft and burglary
Theft represents a small share of homeowners claims by count today (prior data showed 1.9% of claims), with an average claim in the low $4,000s (Triple‑I). The FBI reports property crime rose year over year in 2023, underscoring the value of deterrence and rapid detection (FBI Crime in the Nation, 2023). Strengthen basics: lock doors/windows/garages, use exterior lighting, and consider a modern security system. Newer systems feature AI‑enhanced cameras and sensors that detect people/vehicles/packages on‑device to reduce false alarms, with optional pro monitoring and “virtual guarding” (Consumer Reports 2025). Favor products that support Matter/Thread for interoperability (CSA Matter) and look for the U.S. Cyber Trust Mark as cybersecurity labeling rolls out. Note evolving privacy norms (e.g., Ring’s 2024 change ending in‑app police video requests) (coverage). Ask your insurer about discounts for centrally monitored alarms and protective devices (Triple‑I discounts). For a comprehensive approach, integrate leak, freeze, and smoke/CO sensors with alerts to help prevent claims as well.
What’s next?
- See our picks for the best home insurance providers and get a few quotes.
- Check out our extensive home insurance buyer’s guide.
- Here’s everything you should know about insurance claims.
- Consider bundling your home insurance with your auto insurance to save money.
- Try these 8 ways to lower your home insurance premium.
- Don’t forget about home warranties to cover the systems and appliances in your home.
