Do you know what the most common insurance claims for auto policies are? For homeowner’s policies? Take a look at the list below if you don’t know the answers and pick up some tips to avoid paying unnecessary premium rates.
Knowing what the trends are for auto and homeowner's insurance claims in recent years will help you prevent situations that could potentially increase your annual premium rates. Let’s dive into the most common insurance claims for each of the two categories:
Most common auto insurance claims
From theft to accidents, here are some of the most common insurance claims for auto policies:
Crashes
OK, this is an obvious one. Most insured drivers contact their companies to start a claim about an crash. These vary from being rear-ended to a collision at an intersection, or even causing damage to a parked vehicle. Speak to your agent before completing your claim to make sure your vehicle is covered for any damage caused during a crash.
Theft
It happens while you’re on vacation in a different city and also down the street in your neighborhood. Cars get stolen often but you are covered from theft if you have comprehensive insurance. If you install anti-theft devices such an alarm or a GPS tracking system it may help lower the premium of your auto insurance policy.
Vandalism
Vandalism is one of the most common insurance claims for auto policies. Similar to theft, having comprehensive insurance helps offset the cost of having your car vandalized. However, your premium rises if you’re living in an area with high rates of vandalism.
Windshield damage
Another common insurance claim; sometimes windshields are damaged due to a crash but other times it happens when a stone or rock flies from the vehicle in front of you onto your windshield. While you can start a claim to fix the cracked windshield, the deductible for this type of repair is usually high.
Animal collision
You don’t have to live in a rural area to run into a deer, dog, or other type of animal while driving on the road. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimated in a 2004 study that there were 247,000 crashes involving animals in the United States. These types of collisions are more frequent at night when visibility is reduced and result in a lot of damage to the vehicle.
Most common homeowner’s insurance claims
While some claims are weather-related, most are not. Here’s a breakdown of the most common homeowner’s insurance claims:
Non-weather-related damage
It’s one of the most common claims for homeowner’s policies. There are many things that could go wrong around the house, from plumbing or appliance issues to electrical problems. Having homeowner’s insurance protects you from financial loss caused by these unexpected events.
Weather-related damage
According to a 2015 report by the Travelers Companies, 11% of the claims made by homeowners were related to weather. The study reported that weather-related incidents varied depending on the region. While wind was the main cause of damage in the Northeast, in the Midwest and West hail damage was the most common claim among homeowners.
Theft or burglary
A total of 6% of homeowner’s insurance claims are attributed to theft or burglary. While these two terms are used interchangeably, they’re different in the eyes of the law. Theft involves the act of taking someone’s money or personal belongings without their consent. Burglary, on the other hand, refers to entering the property or structure of someone else with the intention of committing a crime. Theft is one of the qualifying crimes in burglary.
Whether it’s one or the other, or both, keep your home save by locking the doors and windows, and installing an alarm system that will deter burglars from breaking into your home. Insurance companies reward homeowners who proactively find solutions to minimize the risk of having their house broken into.
These are some of the most common insurance claims made over time by American policy holders. Protect your assets with the right insurance and company. Infinity Insurance provides auto, homeowner’s and renter’s insurance that fits your budget and needs. Call one of our friendly agents at 1-800-INFINITY or visit our website to receive a quote in minutes.