We analyzed five years of home claim data to uncover
the most common and most expensive causes of damage*.
Click on the prevention tips below to learn how to prepare
and prevent losses before they happen.
To help you better focus on what you can do to keep your family and home safe, we analyzed eight years of claim data to discover the most common and most expensive causes of property damage.* Click on the boxes below to learn how you can prepare for and prevent losses.
High velocity winds can uproot trees, damage roofs, collapse walls or worse.
Prevention Tips >
Tornadoes, hurricanes and severe windstorms all pack a punch that can lead to devastating home and property losses. Take precautions to keep your family and your home as safe as possible.
Pruning trees, protecting windows and strengthening structures are among the many ways you can prevent damage from high velocity windstorms.
Tips on how to be ready for a hurricane >
Tornadoes can hit anytime, anywhere. Having a written plan of what to do and practicing regular drills can be a lifesaver for you and your family.
Find out about tornado safety measures >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Plumbing, sewer or appliance leaks and failures can create devastating losses.
Prevention Tips >
Water damage not related to weather can happen if a pipe bursts, a valve fails or appliances like air conditioning units, water heaters and washing machines have issues. A little precaution can go a long way.
Maintaining plumbing and appliances and installing water sensors are essential to protecting your home from water damage.
Learn how to help prevent water damage >
Find information on water sensors here >
Knowing where your home’s main water
shut-off valve is located can make all the difference in the case of an emergency.
Get tips on water emergency preparedness >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Hail typically damages roofs, but may also harm windows, siding and more.
Prevention Tips >
The average hailstorm lasts only five minutes, but the damage to vehicles, homes and roofs can be extensive and costly. Being prepared means being protected.
Before hail hits, there are steps you can take to protect what’s outside your home, such as cars and patio furniture, as well as what’s inside.
Learn how to minimize hail damage >
Consider using impact-resistant material if you have plans to replace your roof and you live in a hail-prone area.
Get tips to prepare your home for hail >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Leaky roofs, frozen pipes that burst and ice dams can really take a toll.
Prevention Tips >
Weather-related water damage can be caused not only by driving rain, melting snow and ice dams, but also by freezing temperatures that lead to broken water pipes. Take precautions now to ward off water issues later.
Is your property able to handle the runoff from summer storms or winter thaws? Do you know how to prevent ice dams?
Get tips on how to prevent water damage >
Find information on ice dams here >
Keeping your sump pump in top working order can help prevent water damage to your basement.
Learn more about sump pump maintenance >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Break-ins may result in both personal property losses and property damage.
Prevention Tips >
Though theft occurs much less frequently than other causes of homeowner loss, it’s among the top five most common. Protect yourself from becoming a victim. Here are specific steps you can take to help keep you, your family and home safe and more secure.
Lighting. Landscaping. Neighbors. Police. Each can play a role in helping you protect your home from being burglarized.
Get tips on securing your home >
Make this three-minute security checklist a part of your daily routine to lessen the chance that your home will be targeted by thieves.
Follow these SAFE security steps >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Electrical, cooking, wildfire and other sources can put homes at risk for fire.
Prevention Tips >
While fire and smoke may not be the most frequent causes of home damage, they are consistently among the most expensive.* Taking smart precautions goes a long way toward keeping your family and home safe.
There are many ways to avoid home fires — from being careful when you cook to making sure your clothes dryer is vented properly.
Learn how to prevent fire damage >
Having fire extinguishers handy can help you fight small fires in your home. Should a larger fire break out, a well-planned escape can save lives.
Learn how to create an evacuation plan >
Choose the right fire extinguisher >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
*According to the Travelers personal insurance property claim data from 2009-2017.
Hail typically damages roofs, but may also harm windows, siding and more.
Prevention Tips >
The average hailstorm lasts only five minutes, but the damage to vehicles, homes and roofs can be extensive and costly. Being prepared means being protected.
Before hail hits, there are steps you can take to protect what’s outside your home, such as cars and patio furniture, as well as what’s inside.
Learn how to minimize hail damage >
Consider using impact-resistant material if you have plans to replace your roof and you live in a hail-prone area.
Get tips to prepare your home for hail >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Plumbing, sewer or appliance leaks and failures can create devastating losses.
Prevention Tips >
Water damage not related to weather can happen if a pipe bursts, a valve fails or appliances like air conditioning units, water heaters and washing machines have issues. A little precaution can go a long way.
Maintaining plumbing and appliances and installing water sensors are essential to protecting your home from water damage.
Learn how to help prevent water damage >
Find information on water sensors here >
Knowing where your home’s main water
shut-off valve is located can make all the difference in the case of an emergency.
Get tips on water emergency preparedness >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
High velocity winds can uproot trees, damage roofs, collapse walls or worse.
Prevention Tips >
Tornadoes, hurricanes and severe windstorms all pack a punch that can lead to devastating home and property losses. Take precautions to keep your family and your home as safe as possible.
Tips on how to be ready for a hurricane >
Tornadoes can hit anytime, anywhere. Having a written plan of what to do and practicing regular drills can be a lifesaver for you and your family.
Find out about tornado safety measures >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
Leaky roofs, frozen pipes that burst and ice dams can really take a toll.
Prevention Tips >
Weather-related water damage can be caused not only by driving rain, melting snow and ice dams, but also by freezing temperatures that lead to broken water pipes. Take precautions now to ward off water issues later.
Is your property able to handle the runoff from summer storms or winter thaws? Do you know how to prevent ice dams?
Get tips on how to prevent water damage >
Find information on ice dams here >
Keeping your sump pump in top working order can help prevent water damage to your basement.
Learn more about sump pump maintenance >
No matter what steps you take to prevent losses, the unexpected can occur. The right coverage is the surest way to protect you if your home or personal property is damaged or someone gets hurt on your property.
Learn more about homeowners insurance >
*Percentages displayed for most common causes of damage are based on total number of Travelers personal insurance property claims from July 2016 through July 2020; most expensive causes of damage percentages are based on total payments for those claims.