14 Common DIY Mistakes That Can Void Your Home Insurance
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Doing home projects DIY is a great way to save money and add your own personal touch to your space. There’s nothing like feeling satisfaction from completing a task with your own hands. And although doing it yourself can be fun, there’s a thin line between a good job and a costly error. Frustratingly, some errors can cause bigger problems than they are worth — even affecting your home insurance.
Here’s a rundown of familiar homeowner mistakes that could spark an insurance claim headache—and, more significantly, how to prevent them.
Using Fake/Wrong Materials
Using substandard supplies is disaster waiting to happen, and choosing the wrong materials might save you a few bucks initially, but the results won’t be as good. Mistakes such as using the wrong type of wiring or non fire resistant roofing could be causes for your insurer to deny a claim. Always choose quality materials to avoid premium hikes and home damage.
Doing Electrical Work Without Knowledge
There is no experimenting with electrical work. Fires or electrocution, both fatal and causing massive property damage, can result from one wrong connection. If you don’t know how to work with electricity, don’t do it yourself; call a pro.
Not Notifying Your Insurance Company of Major Changes
Renovating your home? If you’re putting on a new room or remodeling your kitchen, for example, it is important to let your insurance company know. If you don’t, you could be underinsured, or your coverage may not reflect the value of the upgrades. The worst part is that the insurance provider can deny a claim if they find out the changes weren’t disclosed.
Overlooking Water Damage Risks
DIY plumbing jobs can be sneaky, and water damage can catch you off guard. If not taken care of, a small leak can become a major flood, and some insurers won’t pay for damages that are your own fault. Before you start, make sure you know about the project, and don’t be afraid to call in for help.
Old Plumbing System Damage During Renovation
Most DIY renovations involve knocking down walls and upgrading rooms, but many homeowners forget to check the pipes behind the scenes. If it’s not preventable, or if the plumbing happened to be old or already deteriorating, you might not be covered by insurance for water damage caused by an old or deteriorating plumbing system.
Removing Load-Bearing Walls
Removing a load-bearing wall without proper support can compromise the structure of your house, but taking down walls can open up space and modernize your home. Safety hazards and expensive repairs like this are not covered by your insurance company.
Turning a Blind Eye to Fire Safety During Renovation
Fire safety is easy to forget when renovating, especially in kitchens or around fireplaces. If you’re laying new flooring or installing new appliances, make sure you use fire-resistant materials. If you don’t, your policy may not cover fire damage.
Wrong Roof Installation and Repair
According to Dakota Roofing, most roofing projects are actually more difficult than they seem. Incorrect installation might result in leaks, water damage, or even structural damage. If your roof is poorly installed and a storm rolls through, damaging your roof, your insurance may refuse to pay for repairs, and you’ll be left with a huge bill.
Safety Features Not Installed
For example, if you are actually installing something such as a pool or a wood-burning stove, you may need additional safety features such as a fence or smoke detector in order not to fall afoul of the insurance guidelines. If you skip these steps, your claims can be denied if there is an accident.
No Permits
As attested by Investopedia, electrical or plumbing work, for example, often needs permits for many home improvement projects. Although this step may seem like a time saver, it could cost you down the road. This can lead to hefty fines and worse; if something goes wrong, it can void your insurance.
Professional Inspections Skipped
You may feel totally skillful and happy with your work, but it’s never a bad idea to ask a ‘professional’ to take a look at the finished product. Regardless of if it’s plumbing or rewiring, a licensed expert is trained to see if there are any issues before they get worse.
Not Updating Your Coverage After Big Projects
Once you’ve finished a major renovation, it’s a good idea to review your home insurance policy. A new kitchen or bathroom can even add value to your home. You may not be covered at all for a loss if you don’t update your policy to reflect these changes.
DIY Landscaping Errors
But many people don’t realize that landscaping can have an impact on their home’s structure. Water damage or root intrusion into your foundation are all too common when you have poor drainage (or when you plant trees too close to the house). Your insurance company may not cover the repairs if it’s determined that your landscaping caused the damage.
Incorrectly Installing Your Own Security System
It may seem like a good idea to install your own security system to save money, but doing it wrong could leave your home open to break-ins, and your insurance company might not even give you the premium discount they offer on professionally installed systems. If you want peace of mind and to make sure you are covered by insurance, get professional installation.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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