For many insurance customers, the thought of an insurance inspection on their home or business is enough to make them feel uneasy at the very least. Humans are highly adaptable creatures, and that being said, when we see something that needs work, sometimes we become complacent.
We shrug it off and say something like, “It is what it is,” and usually it stays that way until it gets far worse. I’ve often advised clients that while inspections lead to mandatory repairs and deadlines, it’s much easier to make repairs now than to deal with a claim later. To help prepare you for your next inspection, let’s talk about a few of the more common recommendations I’ve seen over the years.
Our first and probably most common issue takes us down to ground level. The places where we put our feet need to be smooth, solid, and free of ice and snow in the winter. A cracked sidewalk, a loose step on a staircase, a private parking area with potholes, an icy strip of a driveway caused by a gutter spout ALL have the same thing in common: they are hazards that can lead to injury and/or lawsuits. A few weeks ago, my son (age 5) and I got some L-brackets from our local hardware store and fixed an old stairway at our home that saw some damage and loose risers from the winter. I also added an extension to the spout of one of our gutters. Finally, a little quick-dry cement under a loose door saddle. The whole project took under 30 minutes and cost less than $25 total. Don’t cheat yourself! A little upkeep now prevents a claim later.
Our next stop deals with fire safety. Check your extinguisher’s tags! A fire prevention system is only good if it’s working and an out of service extinguisher may only be able to provide a false sense of security in an emergency. One of the more common issues I’ve seen restaurants run into involves their kitchen fire suppression systems – most of the time it’s as simple as a cleaning being a little overdue, or a service tag being in need of replacement. If you know you’re shopping your coverage (or asking your agent to), I’d also suggest scheduling a visit to bring this up to date if it’s been more than six months since the last cleaning or inspection. If you have sprinklers, I’d recommend finding the results of your last test at the very least, as a new carrier may ask for a copy.
Next, let’s discuss handrails, banisters, and guardrails. If where people put their feet is a cause for concern, hand-safety points are also frequently on the list. If you have three or more steps on a stairway, your carrier will probably request a banister or handrail be installed, to help those who are not as steady on their feet. If you already have one, tighten up the screws, maybe add a fresh coat of paint. If someone’s coming down your stairway, leaning on a loose banister, it could fall out and lead to serious injuries.
Finally, one that so many overlook, probably because we become so used to it after a while. I’ve seen inspectors mandate that “debris left around property” (or something to this effect), be removed and properly stored. Moderation and presentation are key here.
The common denominator of all of these scenarios is that they can almost all be addressed with a quick, inexpensive repair, or a quick phone call. If your policy is up for renewal, this is your time to self-inspect your home or business. Small corrections are much easier to find time for than large claims. Check your home or business for safety hazards. As a popular old saying goes, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
