If you had to choose between paying around $50 or paying $1000 (your homeowner deductible) and having a huge mess which would you choose? For around $50 you can purchase and set up a Water Leak Alarm Monitor which can notify you if there is a leak, because leaks in your home are no joke, particularly if you regularly travel or have a second home.
Traditionally the way that a water leak alarm works is that an onboard alarm that goes off when it senses moisture but now with current technology many water leak alarms can be connected to Wi-Fi or integrated into your SmartHome system. With this new technology the alarm can send your smartphone an alert, text or email when the sensor detects water, so no matter where you are you can protect your home.
Another inexpensive but useful upgrade to prevent water damage is steel braided washing machine hoses. Rubber washing machine hoses have an average lifespan of 3 years and can dry, crack and eventually break when you switch to steel braided you are easily preventing the most common cause of leakage.