Here are the top five home insurance claims and how to avoid them
KEEPING YOUR HOME safe is a priority that cannot be taken lightly, which is exactly why it's so essential to make sure you have the right kind of insurance in place in case something unexpected were to happen.
Beyond getting the right insurance, though, there are preventative measures you can take to avoid damage before it occurs. Using data compiled by Allianz from 2024, we have the top reasons people needed to claim on their home insurance and how you can take crucial steps to reduce your risk of common dangers such as water damage, fire and theft.
Allianz is here to give you peace of mind, but you can also take comfort in knowing that you've done all you can to take precautionary steps to prevent potential claims from occurring.
1. Burst pipes
Accounting for a whopping 33% of all home insurance claims received by Allianz in 2024, water damage is by far the most common misfortune affecting homeowners in Ireland.
The good news is that keeping your home safe against water damage is a matter you can take into your own hands by staying vigilant and implementing the following advice:
Ensure current pipes are well equipped to deal with any renovations such as extra toilets, en suites, underfloor heating and showering facilities
Regularly inspect the sealing around baths, showers and sinks to prevent wear and tear
Regularly check the external pipes and pipes located in unheated areas during temperature fluctuations
To prevent freezing pipes during winter, it is beneficial to keep your water heated at a low temperature
During times of very little usage (over a holiday), turn off the water supply if you can
Regularly check overflow on toilets, sinks, baths and tanks
Regularly inspect hosing going to and from washing machines, dishwashers, water heaters and refrigerators.
2. Storms
Shutterstock / Karlo Curis
Shutterstock / Karlo Curis / Karlo Curis
We know all about storms in Ireland, having already experienced several intense storms earlier this year. Hundreds of thousands of homes were left without power in the aftermath of Storm Eowyn, and last year also brought many more named storms: Isha, Ashley, Bert, and Darragh. A sharp reminder that your home needs the best protection possible when it comes to standing strong against the elements.
Storm damage accounted for 28% of Allianz home insurance claims in 2024, according to the latest data, so the following steps should be the top priority for any homeowners hoping to avoid finding themselves in that same situation.
First and foremost, you want to safely store loose garden items away, which can even include locking your trampoline to the ground. Otherwise, you can also secure gates and shed doors. And be sure to check again for damage to your home after the storm has passed.
3. Accidents
Accidental damage is defined as sudden or unforeseen damage caused as a result of an unexpected action or event. While the very nature of accidents makes them hard to predict or prepare for, Allianz does provide additional options for those who want extra peace of mind regarding important belongings which could be affected by accidental damage.
You can add accidental damage cover to your Allianz home insurance policy to further insure household goods, clothing, furniture & furnishings, and personal effects such as smart devices, wallets, jewellery and more.
Accidents account for 18% of all home insurance claims, and you can learn more about what protections are available to you through Allianz
here
.
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4. Fire
Shutterstock
Shutterstock
Fire accounted for 10% of all home insurance claims last year, and while it can be catastrophic, many such fires are also very preventable. Safe practices such as avoiding leaving candles unattended, being diligent about what you do in the kitchen, and making sure chimneys are regularly cleaned, can significantly reduce the chances of a fire breaking out.
The Department of Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government has issued a useful mnemonic to help you stay wise to the risk of fire in your home:
STOP.
S
is for smoke alarms, which should be on every floor of your home and ideally in every room.
T
is for testing your smoke alarms, which you should ideally do once a week for each alarm.
O
is for obvious dangers. Always be vigilant about obvious fire hazards in your home, whether that's overloaded plug sockets, unattended candles, or hot appliances such as hair straighteners or curling irons being left plugged in or switched on.
P
is for planning your escape route. Always make sure that there is clear access to the exit of your home and that you know where your keys are.
5. Theft
Nobody likes thinking about the worst-case scenario and while being burgled is an awful experience, it did sadly make up 5% of all home insurance claims. This means that a theft at your home is unlikely, but it still makes sense to be as prepared as possible.
There are steps that you can take that reduce the likelihood of being burgled. Data from the
Garda Analysis Service
shows that nearly half of burglaries (46%) occur between 5pm and 11pm. Burglars also commonly target back doors (26%), back windows (24%) and front windows (8%), with one in five cases involving a burglar getting access through an unsecured door or window.
An Garda Síochána's 'Lock Up and Light Up'
has several suggestions on how you can keep your home safe, including:
Make sure all doors, windows and entrances to the home are locked
Keep some lights turned on
Use an alarm system
Avoid keeping large amounts of cash on the premises
Store spare keys in secure areas away from windows and letter boxes.
By being prepared and well informed your likelihood of experiencing incidents of crime or damage in your home will be much lower.
Allianz p.l.c. is regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland. Standard acceptance criteria, terms & conditions apply.
This guidance is for general information purposes only. Allianz accepts no responsibility or liability for any losses that may arise from any reliance upon the information contained in this guidance.
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