Summer seasonal hazards, by the numbers
Jun 24, 2016 | By Rosalie L. Donlon, PropertyCasualty360.com
What kinds of claims should you expect to face over the summer months? It may depend on where you live. (Home insurance Stock photo ID:30112256)
For many people, especially those with school-age children, summer is peak travel time.
In addition to vacations, there’s also likely to be a surge in weekend travel as people take long weekends to the shore, the mountains or nearby parks.
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But while you’re traveling, what’s happening to your home? Farmers Insurance has analyzed the last three years of actual home-related claims from around the country to highlight the common dangers you face in the summer and provide suggestions to help reduce homeowners’ risk.
Nationally, the highest percentage of homeowners’ claims identified by Farmers are:
Lightning ― 49%. This is a 123% increase over spring, but claims are down 28% compared to claims in 2013.
Hail ― 35%. This is a 30% increase over spring, and claims are up 1% over claims in 2014.
Third-Party Claims ― 28%. This is a 9% increase over spring, and claims are up 2% over claims in 2014.
Regions may differ
The claims analyzed by Farmers showed distinct regional differences as well. Clearly, potential summer hazards in Miami are different than those faced by residents of Seattle. Here are the three most common Homeowners’ insurance claims for the summer months ― June, July and August ― for eight regions across the United States.
Third-party liability means you may be liable to a guest who is injured on your property. (Photo: iStock)
Southwest: Arizona, California, Nevada and Utah
Third-party liability: 24%.
Fire damage: 19%.
Theft and vandalism: 11%.
You might also find yourself liable if a neighbor's child is injured in your backyard. (Photo: iStock)
Pacific Northwest: Idaho, Montana, Oregon and Washington
Third-party liability: 21%.
Fire damage: 19%:
Hail damage: 19%.
The exterior siding of home is damaged from hail in Blair, Neb. (Photo: Nati Harnik/AP Photo)
Great Plains: Colorado, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming
Hail damage: 56%.
Third-party liability: 8%.
Water damage: 8%
Flood waters from the Arkansas River rise in Pine Bluff, Ark., June 1, 2015. Flooding is a concern along the Arkansas River that runs from west to east through the state's midsection. (Photo: Danny Johnston/AP Photo)
South Central: Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Missouri, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas
Hail damage: 33%.
Water damage: 11%.
Fire damage: 10%.
Lightning streaks through the air as St. Lucie County fire fighter pack up their trucks after responding to a lightning strike that caused a small fire at an apartment building on South Hutchinson Island in Fort Pierce, Fla. (Photo: Ian Solender/The Stuart News via AP Photo)
Southeast: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina and Tennessee
Lightning damage: 28%.
Hail damage: 19%.
Theft and vandalism: 14%
Hail can damage roofs and crops. (Photo: iStock)
Greater Great Lakes: Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin
Hail damage: 32%.
Third-party liability: 12%.
Water damage: 11%.
(Photo: iStock)
Mid-Atlantic: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, District of Columbia and West Virginia
Third-party liability: 20%.
Lightning damage: 16%.
Hail damage: 13%.
(Photo: iStock)
New England: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Vermont
Third-party liability: 20%.
Lightning damage: 16%.
Hail damage: 13%.