Preventive home maintenance

Rough Notes, Oct 2003 by Glover, Donna

A checklist for your clients

Insurance agencies and companies that consistently offer their policyholders beneficial service information are most likely to develop strong customer relationships. Providing excellent service to a customer increases the policyholder's trust and confidence and also helps that policyholder form a stronger bond between the insurance agent and carrier. Relationships with customers are nurtured when they believe they are important enough to be given the consumer information that may save them time and money and prevent a burdensome insurance claim.

Recognizing the importance of exceptional customer service, we have compiled some useful ideas that could help reduce loss ratios, while helping policyholders protect their property. Some insurance companies and agencies already provide consumer awareness suggestions. The checklists we have assembled here may serve to enhance a current, ongoing program.

In much the same way that you go to a doctor for a regular checkup, you should routinely check the health of your clients' property at home, and possibly at their business. Health problems that are discovered and treated at an early stage are easier to correct and may be arrested before becoming serious. In addition, medical costs are reduced. In a similar way, home owners and business owners would be wise to establish a routine monthly inspection in order to prevent water and fire damage, and to rjrotect their valuables.

There is no better time than the present to make the commitment to establish a program to routinely touch base with your customers and suggest loss prevention ideas. Furnishing information for a checklist inspection for your clients to follow in the name of preventative maintenance is a practice that can help avoid the inconvenience-and the mess-that fire or water damage can cause. Just as doctors can write prescriptions and suggest a wellness program for health problems, insurance professionals can make recommendations to their clients about how to protect their property.

The first prescription would be to make certain that the insurance agency and/or insurance company have actively established a routine program for periodically touching base with the customer. A customer's needs change, and if a scheduled follow-up program is established, there is more security that adequate insurance has been discussed. Encouraging clients to become aware of the condition of their property is also important from an underwriting standpoint and for loss prevention.

Close involvement by the agency can help identify and reduce the number of claims and could even contribute to a reduction in defective products on the market. Many insurance companies have departments that assist with tracking trends, product recalls, educational information, and research analysis.

A second prescription would be to recommend the following checklists to help keep customers aware of the condition of their personal property. It just makes good sense to eliminate exposure and vulnerability to situations we can actually take action on and try to prevent!

Tips for Water Loss Prevention

Washing Machine Hoses

Replacing an inexpensive washing machine hose can avoid costly damage. A typical washing machine hose failure would be found around the hose connection between the coupling assemblies to the metal ring or ferrule. Moisture deteriorates the hose fibers, and bending the hose can increase stress. Water could leak or pour from the inlet failure. Many times this results because the product was not manufactured properly. However, if the problem is discovered in time and the hose is replaced, no damage will occur.

Washing machines have a cut-off valve that can fail to operate properly and create water problems as the tub continues to fill and overflow.

Caulking of Showers and Tubs

Many times leaks go unnoticed in a bathtub or shower for a long time. Usually the problem does not draw attention until a floor buckles or a wall starts to bow. A routine inspection and some preventative maintenance by looking for cracks or holes in the caulking could help prevent water damage. Water stains can indicate if there are old or new problems. Re-caulking is easy and is a relatively quick process. A variety of stores carry the caulking products needed to make proper repairs.

Roofs

Periodically checking for loose or damaged shingles can help prevent future water problems. Debris can also accumulate in gutters, so make sure to keep them clean in order to avert water problems.

Water Heaters

Ensuring that the water connections to a water heater have not deteriorated takes very little time and could save thousands of dollars. A look at the drip pan under a water heater can also indicate if there is any leakage. Water heaters can be defective due to faulty manufacturing such as interior tank problems or water outlet valves.

Toilet Assemblies and Hoses

Hoses installed at the base of a toilet should be checked for proper installation as well as for splitting. It is recommended that many sink and toilet hoses be installed by hand; if a wrench is used, it can cause damage to the hose and then allow water problems. Plastic valves located inside the toilet deteriorate from the chlorine in the water, manufacturer flaws, or use of toilet bowl cleaners, and can create water problems. Another common problem with some toilets is a hairline crack caused by improper firing by the manufacturer.