It’s the middle of the night.
BUMP.
Was that a tree branch? Something in the garage? A pipe? Or just the house making one of those mysterious noises that suddenly sounds much louder at 2:00 a.m.? October is the season for things that go bump in the night, but some nighttime surprises are a little more real than ghosts and goblins.
From fallen branches to water leaks, here are a few unexpected events that can turn into an insurance claim—and why it helps to understand your coverage before something goes bump.
🌳 A Branch Comes Crashing Down
You’re sound asleep when a storm rolls through and suddenly hear a loud crash outside.
A tree or large branch may have fallen onto your roof, garage, fence—or even your vehicle.
Whether insurance applies can depend on what was damaged, what caused the tree to fall and the coverage you have.
Damage to your home may fall under your homeowners insurance, while damage to a vehicle from a falling tree or branch may require comprehensive auto coverage.
This is also a good reminder to keep an eye on damaged or dying trees around your property before they become a problem.
🦌 Something Runs in Front of Your Car
You’re driving home after dark when suddenly you see a deer in your headlights.
Animal collisions can happen quickly, especially during times of year when wildlife is more active.
Drivers are sometimes surprised to learn that hitting a deer or another animal is generally handled differently from a collision with another vehicle. This type of damage may fall under the comprehensive portion of an auto policy.
If you’re unsure whether you carry comprehensive coverage, it’s worth checking before you need it.
🔦 There’s Someone—or Something—in the Garage
Few noises will get you out of bed faster than something happening outside your house in the middle of the night.
If a break-in results in stolen or damaged belongings, your homeowners or renters insurance may provide coverage, subject to the terms, limits and deductible of your policy.
However, certain valuable belongings may have special coverage limits.
Jewelry, collectibles, firearms, electronics and other higher-value items are good examples of belongings worth discussing with your insurance agent before a loss occurs.
💧 Drip. Drip. Drip.
Not every scary sound is loud. Sometimes it’s the quiet ones that cause the biggest problems. A leaking pipe, failed appliance or overflowing fixture can cause significant damage if it goes unnoticed for several hours—or several days.
Water damage coverage can be complicated because the cause of the water matters. A sudden plumbing problem may be treated very differently from flooding, groundwater or damage caused by a long-term leak.
Knowing the difference before there’s water on the floor can save you from an unpleasant surprise.
🔥 You Smell Something Burning
This is one nighttime warning you should never ignore. Electrical problems, overloaded outlets, aging wiring and malfunctioning appliances can all create fire hazards.
Homeowners insurance commonly provides protection for fire damage, but prevention should always come first.
Avoid overloading outlets, replace damaged electrical cords, use extension cords appropriately and have electrical issues inspected by a qualified professional. And, of course, make sure your smoke detectors are working.
🌬️ The Wind Is Howling—and Something Just Flew Across the Yard
Outdoor furniture, grills, decorations, trampolines and other items can become projectiles during strong winds.
Besides damaging your own property, they could potentially damage someone else’s.
Secure outdoor items when severe weather is expected and take a quick walk around your property before a storm arrives.
Five minutes of preparation can sometimes prevent a much bigger headache later.
👻 The Scariest Surprise? Finding Out You’re Not Covered the Way You Thought
A strange noise in the middle of the night is unsettling. Finding out after a loss that your coverage doesn’t work the way you assumed can be even worse. Insurance policies contain deductibles, coverage limits, exclusions and conditions that affect how a claim may be handled. And as your home, vehicles, belongings and lifestyle change, your insurance needs can change too.
That’s why an occasional insurance review is worth the time.
🎃 Keep the Scares for Halloween
You can’t prevent every fallen branch, water leak, animal collision or unexpected mishap. But you can know what coverage you have before something happens. Talk with us about your home, auto and liability coverage, ask questions about anything you don’t understand and let them know when something in your life changes.
Because when something really does go BUMP in the night, you’ll be glad you already had the insurance conversation.
This October, keep the ghosts, goblins and jump scares for Halloween—not your insurance coverage.