Water, Wind and Hail Most Common Claims in Texas; Liability, Fire, Dog Bites Create Most Costly Individual Claims

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Water, wind and hail damage top the list of most common homeowner insurance claims in Texas, according to a review by Allstate Insurance Company of aggregated insurance carrier claims data.  

In assessing data from 2000 – 2007, the Allstate review also found that while many of the most common claims holistically are the most expensive (because they impact the broadest number of Texas consumers), some of the less common claims can be more costly on an individual basis. On average, liability claims account for the most costly individual homeowner insurance claims in Texas, followed by fire and dog bite claims.  

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Similar claims-related data within the 630 Texas zip codes (and throughout the U.S.) can be found in Allstate's Common & Costly Claims tool on Allstate.com (http://www.allstate.com/common_and_costly_claims). The Allstate tool is intended to build awareness of the factors driving insurance costs in states and communities, and to help empower consumers to make better informed decisions about their insurance coverages and options.

"Purchasing homeowner insurance is one of the most important financial decisions an individual or family makes," said Jeff Hiemenz, an Allstate agent in Arlington, Texas. "By understanding what drives the price we pay for insurance, customers can make more confident choices about the coverage they need."

Allstate offers three tips that can help homeowners better understand their risks and coverages:

1. Get Smart.  Allstate's "Common and Costly Claims" tool on Allstate.com gives homeowners the ability to find out the most frequent and individually expensive insurance claims in any Texas zip code using aggregated insurance carrier claims data.
2. Flood vs. Water Damage. Knowing the difference between protection from a flood and a covered water loss is essential. Get the facts about the Federal Government's National Flood Insurance Program (http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodins/infocon.shtm) and other water damage insurance options you might want to consider for your home.
3. Ask An Agent. Talk to an insurance agent to help you ensure that you have the proper coverages for the risks in your area, and find out what you can do to help avoid preventable losses. For example, to help prevent water damage:
   • Check washing machine hoses annually for cracks, move the clothes washer and refrigerator out from wall to ensure minimal pressure is placed on the supply lines.
   • Service AC units and water heaters as recommended by manufacturer to ensure drain lines are clear.
   • Inspect / change floats/ball cocks as necessary to avoid toilet overflow/malfunctions.
   • Change supply lines if there is any indication of drips / leaks and tighten only to manufacturers' recommendation.

To help prevent wind damage:

• Check fences to confirm boards are secure.
• Move all loose yard furnishings into a building or tie down if storm approaching.
• Trim any branches hanging over roof.

About the Analysis

Allstate's "Common and Costly Claims" tool on Allstate.com was developed as a consumer-friendly tool using aggregated data from multiple insurance providers collected over the past seven years. Upon entering a zip code, the interactive tool produces a listing of the top five most common and the top five most expensive homeowner insurance claims in that zip code. The tool is intended for illustrative purposes only.

The analysis was conducted for the following Texas cities/areas.

• Abilene
• Amarillo
• Austin
• Beaumont
• Brownsville-Harlingen-McAllen
• Bryan-College Station
• Corpus Christi
• Dallas-Fort Worth
• El Paso
• Houston
• Laredo
• Lubbock
• Midland-Odessa
• San Angelo
• San Antonio
• Sherman
• Tyler-Longview
• Victoria
• Waco-Temple-Killeen
• Wichita Falls

The Allstate Corporation (NYSE: ALL) is the nation's largest publicly held personal lines insurer. Widely known through the "You're In Good Hands With Allstate®" slogan, Allstate is reinventing protection and retirement to help more than 17 million households insure what they have today and better prepare for tomorrow. Consumers access Allstate insurance products and services through Allstate agencies, independent agencies, and Allstate exclusive financial representatives in the U.S. and Canada, as well as via www.allstate.com and 1-800 Allstate®.

SOURCE Allstate Insurance Company - Texas Region