Property insurance is there to protect you when something goes wrong, but some of the best protection starts long before a claim occurs.
From escape of water and fire to theft and weather damage, relatively simple risk-management measures can help property owners identify problems earlier, reduce the severity of losses and demonstrate to insurers that a property is being well managed.
Here are some of the key measures worth considering.
Leak Detection
Escape of water can cause significant damage, particularly when a leak goes unnoticed overnight or in an unoccupied property.
Smart leak-detection systems can monitor for unexpected water movement and provide an alert when a potential leak is identified. More advanced systems can automatically shut off the water supply, helping to limit the amount of damage before someone reaches the property.
For landlords, offices and larger commercial properties, this can be particularly valuable in areas containing kitchens, bathrooms, boilers and water tanks.
Intruder and Fire Alarms
A properly maintained alarm system remains one of the fundamentals of good property risk management.
Intruder alarms can act as both a deterrent and an early warning of unauthorised access, while suitable fire-detection and alarm systems can help occupants respond quickly in an emergency.
Where appropriate, remotely monitored systems can provide an additional layer of protection, particularly for properties that are unoccupied overnight or for extended periods.
Electrical Inspections
Electrical faults can be a major cause of property damage and fire, so regular inspection and maintenance of electrical installations is an important part of risk management.
Property owners should make sure electrical systems are inspected by a competent professional at appropriate intervals, with any defects identified through an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) addressed promptly. Businesses should also have suitable procedures for checking and maintaining portable electrical equipment where required.
Keeping records of inspections, testing and remedial work can also help demonstrate good risk management to insurers.
Fire Doors and Fire Safety
Fire doors are designed to help slow the spread of fire and smoke, giving occupants more time to escape and helping to contain damage within a building.
Property owners and managers should ensure that fire doors are regularly checked for signs of damage or deterioration. Particular attention should be given to:
- Doors closing fully and correctly
- Damaged or missing seals
- Gaps around the door and frame
- Damaged hinges, handles or closers
- Fire doors being wedged or propped open
- Any damage that could compromise their effectiveness
Fire doors should form part of the property's wider fire-safety arrangements alongside appropriate fire detection, alarms, emergency lighting, evacuation procedures and regular fire risk assessments.
CCTV and Security Cameras
Modern CCTV systems offer much more than simply recording an incident.
Remote-access cameras allow owners and property managers to monitor premises from elsewhere, while motion detection and automatic notifications can highlight unusual activity quickly.
Good lighting, secure access points and CCTV can work together to significantly improve the overall security of a property.
Smart Temperature Sensors
Temperature monitoring is particularly useful during the winter months and in properties that may be left unoccupied.
Smart sensors can alert you when temperatures fall unexpectedly, giving you an opportunity to act before frozen pipes or heating failures develop into a much larger problem.
Some systems can also monitor humidity, which may help identify conditions that could lead to condensation, damp or mould.
EV Charging Safety
As electric vehicles become more common, more homes, offices and commercial premises are installing EV charging points.
Chargers should be installed and maintained appropriately, with the electrical installation checked for suitability. Property owners should also think carefully about where charging takes place, particularly in enclosed areas, underground car parks or close to combustible materials.
Businesses should establish clear rules around the use of chargers, including whether employees, visitors or tenants are permitted to use them.
Electric Vehicle Batteries
Lithium-ion batteries require particular consideration because damage, overheating or incorrect charging can create a significant fire risk.
This is especially important for premises where batteries are stored, charged or handled regularly.
We've covered this subject in more detail in our dedicated blog on EV and lithium-ion battery safety, including some of the key risks businesses and property owners should consider. [Insert link to existing EV battery blog]
Roof and Gutter Inspections
Sometimes the simplest risk-management measures are the most effective.
Roofs, gutters and drainage systems should be inspected regularly, particularly before and after periods of severe weather. Look out for:
- Loose, cracked or missing tiles
- Blocked gutters and downpipes
- Damaged flashing
- Signs of water ingress
- Debris collecting on flat roofs
- Deterioration around skylights and roof-mounted equipment
Keeping photographic records of inspections and remedial work can also help demonstrate that the property has been proactively maintained.
Prevention Is Better Than the Claim
Technology is making it increasingly easy to monitor properties and identify problems before they become serious. But good risk management does not have to mean investing in expensive technology.
A combination of smart monitoring, good security, regular maintenance and sensible procedures can make a meaningful difference to the likelihood and severity of a loss.
It can also help when approaching insurers, particularly for larger or more complex property risks, by demonstrating that risk management is being taken seriously.
At Eggar Forrester Insurance, we can help you understand the risks affecting your property and discuss the insurance and risk-management measures that may be appropriate.