7 home maintenance habits that protect your home and your claim

Most home claims start small: a slow leak, a worn roof, a device that failed when it mattered. Routine maintenance is the cheapest insurance you can buy, and it keeps insurers from denying a claim as preventable.

Test your smoke and water sensors, keep connected devices updated, service the roof and HVAC, clear gutters and drains, and document what you own. In Florida, roof condition and wind-mitigation features also directly affect what you pay.

Ask your agent which upgrades earn premium credits. A wind-mitigation inspection or a newer roof can lower your rate about as much as it lowers your risk.