What causes a loss and how to protect yourself
- Mar 19
- 4 min read
by Alayna Trombley
Oftentimes in the public adjusting field, people ask us what causes a loss and the types of loss we have seen. Beyond listing the typical perils such as fire and water, people want to know the specific details of what caused such perils so they have the information they need to protect their home or business. This blog post will discuss common causes of loss, specific examples of loss, and how to protect your property from suffering a loss.
Common Causes of Loss
One of the most asked questions public adjusters get is, what causes a loss? What have you seen in your career? It's an important question to home and business owners, because almost no one wants to go through experiencing a loss. These are life-changing events and often catastrophic. There is only so much you can do to prepare for a loss, but informing yourself about common causes of loss can help provide the insight you need to prevent one.
Of the most common causes of loss we see is water. Specifically, bursting pipes. A burst pipe may be from heat that is set too low for the weather conditions (freezing pipes) or plumbing issues in your property. Once the water in a pipe turns to ice, immense pressure builds up in the pipe which can lead to a burst that leaks water. Pipes in areas like the basement, attic, or beneath kitchen cabinets are some of the most likely culprits (National Weather Service). A burst pipe may seem small, but it's nothing to take lightly. We have handled claims that were a total loss due to burst pipes. A different cause of bursting pipes is due to maintenance issues, like corrosion, which insureds must be careful of as they are typically not covered. Corrosion can happen to any pipe, but it often occurs in homes built before 1975 (Morgan & Morgan). These homes may have cast iron pipes, which typically have shorter lifespans and need to be frequently checked for maintenance. Another way pipes may burst is due to clogs in the pipe that lead to leaks. Small leaks in pipes can turn into a disaster quickly. It's important to have a professional plumber inspect your pipes and address anything of concern.
The next common cause of loss we see are fires. Plenty of our total loss claims were caused by fire peril. Kitchen fires are commonplace for one. For example, we recently adjusted a claim that involved a kitchen fire where the insured was deep-frying potatoes and forgot to turn the stove off. The oil fueled the fire and resulted in immense smoke damage to the property. Additionally, the insured had recently moved in to the property and smoke alarms were not yet installed. Luckily, no one was hurt. However, the insured suffered more damage than they would have if they had known about the fire earlier. Installing smoke detectors in your property is essential, and monitoring their use is an extra step for peace of mind.
A unique fire loss we recently handled involved household paint. After an insured had their home painted, the painter disposed of the paint into a plastic trash can. This caused a major chemical fire. Something people may not be aware of is the importance of proper paint disposal and proper disposal of hazardous products. You never want to put paint in a plastic trash bin, only metal. To dispose of unused or old paint, it's best to go to a hazardous waste facility in your area. There are also ways to dispose of paint at home, but they are riskier and tend to have quite a few steps.
Improper disposal of flammable products can easily lead to a loss. For example, a claim we handled involved an insured putting hot coal from his grill into a plastic trash bag. The coals turned to flames and into a catastrophic fire quickly. It is often the case that the insured simply doesn't have the knowledge they need about best practices for preventing a fire until it is too late. In this case, letting the coals cool on the grill and then putting them in a metal trash bin would have been a safer step to take after grilling.
How to protect yourself from loss: key takeaways
We talked about the causes of loss and specific scenarios that resulted in loss, but what can we do everyday to prevent a loss? I have made a list of some of the best practices to prevent loss on your property.
Be sure your heat is turned on to a sufficient temperature during colder months --- 60-62 degrees fahrenheit on your thermostat is a minimum.
Clean your gutters at least twice a year to prevent water damage
During remodeling projects, be sure contractors are following best practices for safely disposing of hazardous materials
Never throw hot charcoal into plastic containers or bags
Do not put old/unused paint or painted rags into plastic trash cans or containers. Take it to your local hazardous waste facility instead
Install and monitor smoke detectors in your home
Take your time when cooking and assure you have turned off appliances
Be careful when using candles. Unattended candles are popular origins of loss
Monitor the water and placement of holiday trees like lighted Christmas trees
I hope this blog post gave you the confidence to learn more about preventing loss as well as keeping your property, yourself and others safe. We will revisit this topic often in the blog and expand on how to stay safe from loss. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to reach out to us.
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