WWW.QNS.COM RIDGEWOOD TIMES MARCH 18, 2021 23
Days are getting longer and warmer, inspiring
many to want to spend more time outside.
Lots of people enjoy gardening this time
of year - it’s an outdoor activity families can do
together, especially if parents are looking for ways
to keep their children occupied. It’s also a great
way to get some fresh air, light exercise, relieve
stress and add to your home’s curb appeal.
“Sprucing up your landscaping with some new
fl ower beds and shrubs can give your home a
refreshed look,” said Christopher O’Rourke, vice
president of property claims at Mercury Insurance.
“A well-maintained yard can also help protect
against common homeowners insurance claims
like water and fi re damage. For example, keeping
gutters cleared of leaves and debris can help
prevent blockages that might direct water into
the home. Regularly mowing the lawn, pruning
bushes and keeping the yard free of grass clippings
and twigs is aesthetically pleasing and can
help mitigate against wildfi re risk if homeowners
live in an area where these are common.”
Here are three additional tips O’Rourke
recommends.
WELL-PLANNED LANDSCAPING
CAN HELP MITIGATE WILDFIRE
RISK
Homeowners who live in areas with dry climates
that are susceptible to wildfi res should evaluate
their landscaping - if laid out in a certain way, it
might increase your home’s insurability.
“The plants surrounding a house have one of
the greatest infl uences on its chances of survival,”
said Douglas Kent, wildfi re expert, author and
professor of land management at California State
Polytechnic University, Pomona.
Plants within the fi ve feet closest to your home
should be fl eshy and moist, as they are reluctant
to produce a fl ame. Instead, they’ll sizzle and wilt
when exposed to fl ames and heat. If properly
maintained, these plants can catch and extinguish
a fi rebrand.
O’Rourke notes that homeowners who don’t live
in fi re country can also take precautions to protect
against fi res. “Trimming tree limbs so they’re at
least 10 feet away from your home and pruning
unruly bushes can help prevent fi res caused by
lightning strikes, for example, from jumping onto
your roof or exterior walls,” he said.
BEFORE HIRING EXPERT HELP,
INQUIRE ABOUT COVERAGE
Some gardening jobs may take an expert to complete.
However, this brings added exposure to a
homeowner if they don’t check on coverage from
the contractor. With shovels, rakes and power
tools being used, an accident could happen at any
moment.
“Before signing a contract with a landscaper or
gardener, ask them for their proof of insurance,”
said O’Rourke. “If they don’t have coverage, you
probably want to fi nd one who does. In most cases,
the contractor’s coverage will act as the primary
insurance should one of their employees get injured
while on the job.”
O’Rourke also recommends homeowners read
their insurance policies in full, so they know
what is and what isn’t covered in the event of a
loss. “Knowledge is power, so understanding your
policy is of utmost importance,” he adds. “Talk to
your agent if you have questions. They’re also the
best resource to help you determine if you have
the right amount of coverage.”
CONSULT WITH YOUR INSURANCE
AGENT AFTER HARDSCAPING
Most gardens feature a combination of plants
and decorative, non-living features or structures,
like pathways, fencing or even fountains to help
better defi ne and add character to the space. Many
homeowners also like to indulge in the warm
weather by expanding their outside living space,
which can include anything from remodeling a
patio to building a garden oasis for relaxing and
entertaining.
Regardless of how you may want to enhance your
landscape to better showcase - and enjoy - your
gardening prowess, it’s a good idea to speak with
your insurance agent aft er making any signifi cant
changes to your property.
“Our homes are typically where we spend the
majority of our time, so it’s natural to want to
customize them to our specifi c needs and wants.
However, renovations - including those done
outdoors - can increase a home’s replacement
cost if it’s damaged or destroyed,” said O’Rourke.
“Talking to your agent about enhancements you’ve
made will help ensure you’re properly insured so
you can enjoy the fruits of your labor for many
years to come.”
— Courtesy of BPT
AT HOME
Homeowners insurance tips to know before planting fl owers or vegetables
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