Birds singing, flowers blooming, green grass growing, the signs of spring are all around us. It’s wonderful living where you can enjoy all four seasons; but when winter is the longest of the four, there’s no season that brings a sigh of relief like spring!
The hazards of winter are behind you, no more worries about frozen pipes bursting or ice dams forming in your gutters. However, just because the bees are buzzing and you’re swapping out your snow blower for your lawn mower doesn’t mean there aren’t spring insurance hazards to look out for! Here are four things spring can bring that you should be aware of and do your best to avoid.
Flooding
The saying may go, “April showers bring May flowers,” but the truth of the matter is, the spring showers can start as early as February and last well into May. Depending on your location, flooding may not be something at the forefront of your mind. However, flooding is a major spring insurance hazard for homeowners. Even for those not situated near a lake, pond or river, flooding can happen and the cost of cleaning up the damage after a flood can be overwhelming.
Flooding is typically not covered on a standard homeowner’s insurance policy, you need to buy a separate flood insurance policy. Not all homeowners have flood insurance because it’s not required, but you never want to be in the situation where you wish you would have been insured. It’s possible to live in a location where flooding is highly unlikely, but according to the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services, “Everyone lives in a flood zone. The question is whether it is a high-risk or a moderate- to low-risk zone.” So even if you live in a low-risk zone, when you compare insurance costs to repair costs, it’s easy to see why having flood insurance is a wise investment.
Potholes
They are just as predictable as spring showers but not nearly as welcome as May flowers. The harsh freeze-thaw cycle breeds potholes in every shape and size which impacts the safety of the roads. So if you own a car, beware of potholes; another one of the major spring insurance hazards.
Spring is tough on auto owners and those spring showers can quickly fill potholes camouflaging their danger. What looks like a simple puddle or a little water on the road suddenly jolts you and can result in flat tires, bent rims or worse. Pothole damage is a spring insurance hazard that requires immediate attention for auto owners.
There are times when pothole damage isn’t enough to warrant an insurance claim. That could be a good thing, meaning you didn’t sustain extensive damage. But no damage to your vehicle is an even better, so avoid the potholes you can see, and be on the lookout for suspicious puddles where potholes may be lurking. They can cause unnecessary expenses, so avoid them as best you can.
Vehicle Salt Damage
Another assault on your vehicle is the salt on your vehicle. Harsh winter weather, ice, and snow call for plowing and salting the roads to keep them safe. However, when the cold weather lifts, you need more than spring showers to remove the salt from your vehicle. It’s time for a trip to the car wash!
Salt on your car may not seem like a spring insurance hazard, but road salt causes corrosion. The car’s paint is affected first and then, if left too long, rust will form under the paint and begin to eat away at the metal. And as a general rule, rust isn’t covered under auto insurance.
While newer cars may have less metal to corrode, and modern paint techniques protect your vehicle more than in decades past, the undercarriage can fall victim to road salt damage if left unchecked. There are a lot of important parts of your car that are exposed in your undercarriage. Your brakes, axle, muffler, and other systems can succumb to rust and corrosion from road salt exposure over time.
You may think you don’t have to worry because you’ve had a sealant applied to your undercarriage. That is a good thing and it will help, but it won’t last forever and is no excuse for poor vehicle maintenance. Fortunately, regular car washing during the winter as well as when the weather starts to warm up is always a great way to clear away the dirt and salt and keep your car from becoming a spring insurance hazard!
Hail
It’s possible that a few people out there don’t mind when it rains on their parade, but no one likes it when the rain turns to large, pelting balls of hail that can damage their home or vehicle. The list of spring insurance hazards wouldn’t be complete without addressing hail damage as it is a common insurance claim in early spring.
Small pea-sized hail generally doesn’t do much more than draw attention. However, when large balls of hail the size of a quarter or larger begin falling from the sky, it can cause damage to the roof, siding, or windows of your home, or the hood, windshield, roof or trunk of your car.
It’s a good idea to check your auto policy to see if your policy contains protection from hail damage. It’s also important to stay on top of home repairs so that existing damage isn’t worsened by the hail, leaving you responsible for repairs due to negligence. For both your car and your home, if you’ve sustained hail damage, be sure to address it right away.
There is no reason that, with preparation and knowledge, these four common spring insurance hazards should have to put a damper on the refreshing sights, sounds, and smells of spring. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare for potential hazards can give you peace of mind and a spring in your step.
Contact Iott Insurance for a Quote Today
Iott Insurance has been a part of southeast Michigan for over 50 years. We can help you plan your insurance needs and find you the right policies or plans to protect you.
Or you can visit one of our three offices in southeast Michigan:
Blissfield, MI – (517) 628-4574
Lambertville, MI – (734) 807-3825
Petersburg, MI – (734) 215-9884
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