#United States #Worcester #Home Safety #Hanover Insurance #home maintenance

Insights from the 2025 Hanover Home Report

The latest findings from the 2025 Hanover Home Report, a comprehensive survey conducted by The Hanover Insurance Group, reveal critical opportunities for homeowners to enhance their properties' safety. As we advance into an era of increasingly severe weather events and risks, awareness and proactive measures are more important than ever.

Key Findings of the Report

The Hanover commissioned a survey performed by Harris Poll, engaging over 1,100 American homeowners to shed light on their protective actions towards home safety. Some standout findings include:

Water Damage Prevention

Water damage, which frequently doesn’t stem from weather, has become a leading cause of homeowner insurance claims.

• - Awareness: A notable 79% of homeowners are informed about water sensors, while 76% are familiar with automatic shutoff devices designed to curtail extensive water damage.
• - Action: Despite this awareness, a mere 16% have installed water sensors, and only 13% have set up automatic shutoff devices in their homes.

Structural Safety Measures

Wind and hail damage ranks high among insurance claims, emphasizing the need for fortified structures.

• - Awareness: 61% of homeowners recognize fortified roofs, and 59% are aware of wind-rated garages.
• - Action: Alarmingly, only 17% have updated roofs with fortified materials, and just 10% have ensured they possess wind-rated garages. Thankfully, there has been a marked increase in roof checks—57% of homeowners conducted such checks within the past year, up from just 38% in the previous year.

Fire Prevention Strategies

Fire-related incidents represent some of the most severe insurance claims with substantial financial implications.

• - Awareness: An impressive 99% of homeowners are aware of smoke detectors; 97% recognize fire alarms.
• - Action: However, only 67% have installed smoke detectors in their homes, and 62% cleaned their dryer vent ducts in the last year. Crucially, when it comes to servicing HVAC systems or replacing filters, 57% have undertaken this essential preventative step.

Suggested Action Steps for Homeowners

The report delivers clear guidance on actionable steps homeowners can implement to enhance their property protection:
1. Install Water Sensors and Shutoff Devices: A low-cost, easy-to-install resource that can minimize water loss impacts.
2. Regular Property Inspections: Conduct annual reviews of boilers, roofs, and HVAC systems for early problem detection, reducing costly future repairs.
3. Maintain Landscaping and Gutters: Regular trimming of trees and cleaning out gutters can significantly lessen wind and hail damage risks before storms.
4. Fire Safety Protocols: Install smoke detectors and conduct monthly dryer vent cleaning to mitigate fire risks.

Final Thoughts

Daniel C. Halsey, President of Personal Lines at The Hanover, emphasized the necessity for homeowners to proactively manage their properties. “With increasingly severe weather patterns and evolving risks, safeguarding homes is a financial priority,” he stated. The company acknowledges the positive trajectory toward homeowner education, yet stresses the ongoing need for direct actions to enhance safety and mitigate loss risks.

The 2025 Hanover Home Report underscores the essential adoption of technology and solutions tailored toward homeowner protection. With professional guidance from insurance agents, homeowners can grasp the importance of monitoring and maintaining critical areas, like their roof and plumbing systems, ultimately enhancing their properties' resilience against hazards.

For more detailed insights on improving home safety attitudes and protective measures, visit Hanover.com.