introduction
As weather events continue to increase in severity, and the costs to resolve property claims continues to
climb, homeowners play an increasingly important role in helping to protect their homes. Independent insurance agents are a valuable resource for today’s homeowners, not just by offering insurance protection, but also through important guidance on proactive risk prevention.
The Hanover commissioned The Harris Poll to conduct a survey of homeowners nationwide, to learn the frequency with which they undertake important safety safety measures in their homes.
The Hanover's 2024
Home Maintenance Report
As weather becomes more severe and risks evolve, homeowners
play a key part in helping to protect their most precious investment. Homeowners don't want to experience the stress and disruption of a loss, so taking care of their property gives them more control over the impact unpredictable weather can have on their homes. Together with a knowledgeable independent insurance agent to guide them, consumers can ensure they have the right insurance protection and the right maintenance routine to preserve their homes for years to come."
Actionable insights
A significant number of homeowners aren’t undertaking upkeep and maintenance that can help them avoid costly damage
to their homes. The findings from this report can help agents identify opportunities to help homeowners prioritize
impactful risk mitigation efforts.
Routine maintenance
Roofs
Why this matters
Age of features of home
34%
40%
41%
61%
Learn more
40% of homeowners did not trim their trees and 60% did not clean the gutters.
Are trees trimmed away from the house and gutters cleaned?
Learn more
Do you know where your water shutoff valve is?
Click to learn more
20% of wind and hail claims not related to catastrophic weather events involve trees. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to protect against structural damage to their homes, especially in areas with high winds or severe storms.
Tree trimming, along with gutter cleaning, should be performed each spring and fall. Additional tree trimming should also take place in advance of anticipated storms, if conditions permit.
Protection against structural damage
Water damage unrelated to weather is one of the most common claims impacting homeowners, leading to nearly 40% of home losses (when factoring out catastrophic weather events).
Agents can help by providing guidance on water mitigation solutions, such as sensors or shut-off systems.
Water damage
Countrywide
Northeast
south
midwest
west
37%
29%
52%
53%
13% of homeowners replied
that they did not know where
the valve was located.
Learn more
42% of homeowners did not trim their trees and 55% did not clean the gutters.
Are trees trimmed away from the house and gutters cleaned?
Learn more
16% of homeowners replied
that they did not know where
the valve was located.
Do you know where your water shutoff valve is?
Click to learn more
20% of wind and hail claims not related to catastrophic weather events involve trees. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to protect against structural damage to their homes, especially in areas with high winds or severe storms.
Tree trimming, along with gutter cleaning, should be performed each spring and fall. Additional tree trimming should also take place in advance of anticipated storms, if conditions permit.
Protection against structural damage
Water damage unrelated to weather is one of the most common claims impacting homeowners, leading to nearly 40% of home losses (when factoring out catastrophic weather events).
Agents can help by providing guidance on water mitigation solutions, such as sensors or shut-off systems.
Water damage
34%
45%
36%
66%
Learn more
38% of homeowners did not trim their trees and 62% did not clean the gutters.
Are trees trimmed away from the house and gutters cleaned?
Learn more
13% of homeowners replied
that they did not know where
the valve was located.
Do you know where your water shutoff valve is?
Click to learn more
20% of wind and hail claims not related to catastrophic weather events involve trees. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to protect against structural damage to their homes, especially in areas with high winds or severe storms.
Tree trimming, along with gutter cleaning, should be performed each spring and fall. Additional tree trimming should also take place in advance of anticipated storms, if conditions permit.
Protection against structural damage
Water damage unrelated to weather is one of the most common claims impacting homeowners, leading to nearly 40% of home losses (when factoring out catastrophic weather events).
Agents can help by providing guidance on water mitigation solutions, such as sensors or shut-off systems.
Water damage
29%
41%
36%
64%
Learn more
43% of homeowners did not trim their trees and 51% did not clean the gutters.
Are trees trimmed away from the house and gutters cleaned?
Learn more
12% of homeowners replied
that they did not know where
the valve was located.
Do you know where your water shutoff valve is?
Click to learn more
20% of wind and hail claims not related to catastrophic weather events involve trees. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to protect against structural damage to their homes, especially in areas with high winds or severe storms.
Tree trimming, along with gutter cleaning, should be performed each spring and fall. Additional tree trimming should also take place in advance of anticipated storms, if conditions permit.
Protection against structural damage
Water damage unrelated to weather is one of the most common claims impacting homeowners, leading to nearly 40% of home losses (when factoring out catastrophic weather events).
Agents can help by providing guidance on water mitigation solutions, such as sensors or shut-off systems.
Water damage
39%
40%
44%
56%
Learn more
39% of homeowners did not trim their trees and 70% did not clean the gutters.
Are trees trimmed away from the house and gutters cleaned?
Learn more
11% of homeowners replied
that they did not know where
the valve was located.
Do you know where your water shutoff valve is?
Click to learn more
20% of wind and hail claims not related to catastrophic weather events involve trees. That’s why it’s important for homeowners to protect against structural damage to their homes, especially in areas with high winds or severe storms.
Tree trimming, along with gutter cleaning, should be performed each spring and fall. Additional tree trimming should also take place in advance of anticipated storms, if conditions permit.
Protection against structural damage
Water damage unrelated to weather is one of the most common claims impacting homeowners, leading to nearly 40% of home losses (when factoring out catastrophic weather events).
Agents can help by providing guidance on water mitigation solutions, such as sensors or shut-off systems.
Water damage
Roofs
Homeowners were also asked if they knew their roof's age, and if they inspected their roofs
for signs of damage in the last 12 months.
Countrywide
Northeast
south
midwest
west
The above two tasks are the quickest and easiest steps a homeowner can take to prevent fires in their homes.
Recommendations include cleaning dryer vents seasonally, and testing smoke detectors twice annually.
These quick visual inspections not only increase efficiency in homes, but enable homeowners to spot potential
water damage before they start. Water heater function should be checked twice a year for signs of leaks or rust.
HVAC filters should be checked monthly and changed seasonally.
Did not clean
their dryer vents
Did not change
smoke detector batteries
Did not check
HVAC / change filters
Did not check
water heater function
How engaged are homeowners
with routine maintenance tasks?
American homeowners (defined as those who own a home) were asked to respond to a series of questions
asking which listed tasks they performed in the last 12 months.
By scheduling and performing routine maintenance, homeowners can help protect themselves against some of the most common home claims. Independent agents can help by sharing best practices and checking in during annual reviews.
Did not check roof
for issues including damaged shingles and sealant
62%
Homeowner estimates of their roof’s age in years
A roof is a home’s first line of defense against severe weather, and should be
visually inspected for damage annually, and after major weather events. Yet, across the board, this was the listed maintenance task least likely to be undertaken by homeowners.
Less than 10 years
between 10 - 14 years
between 15 - 19 years
between 20 - 24 years
25+ years
Unsure
50%
16%
11%
9%
6%
8%
59%
45%
22%
8%
14%
6%
6%
63%
54%
15%
10%
7%
5%
8%
65%
55%
17%
9%
5%
4%
9%
61%
41%
12%
16%
11%
10%
9%
The typical lifespan of a roof is 20-25 years, a figure that varies based on which part of the country the home is located. Based on this, these responses suggest that 23% of homes have a roof that may have
reached the lower end of its anticipated lifespan.
Damage related to roofs makes up 70-90% of residential losses in catastrophic weather events. When homeowners remain diligent about the state of their roofs — monitoring for broken or missing shingles, or moss growth — simple repairs and upkeep can
head off major damage and claims down the road.
Age of features of home
Homeowners were surveyed on the estimated age of their home’s windows, electrical systems, water heaters and HVAC systems. Their responses suggest that a percentage of homes have features that have reached the lower end of their anticipated lifespan, including:
Windows
Recommended lifespan: 20 - 40 years
Less than 10 years
between 10 - 14 years
between 15 - 19 years
between 20 - 24 years
25+ years
Unsure
HVAC systems
Recommended lifespan: 10 - 15 years
Less than 10 years
between 10 - 14 years
between 15 - 19 years
between 20 - 24 years
25+ years
Unsure
Electrical systems
Recommended lifespan: 25 - 40 years
Less than 10 years
between 10 - 14 years
between 15 - 19 years
between 20 - 24 years
25+ years
Unsure
Less than 10 years
between 10 - 14 years
between 15 - 19 years
between 20 - 24 years
25+ years
Unsure
Water heater
Recommended lifespan: 8 - 12 years
36%
17%
11%
11%
14%
10%
30%
12%
7%
5%
5%
16%
29%
14%
10%
10%
21%
16%
65%
15%
7%
4%
2%
7%
Countrywide
Northeast
south
midwest
west
Roughly one out of three homeowners will be due for renovations between now and the next few years. It is important for agents to know when and if these renovations are scheduled to take place, to reinforce the importance of upgrades — especially to roofs and windows — to help protect their homes from bad weather. Agents can further assist customers by having a list of trusted contractors and service providers in their community for referral.
35%
22%
9%
9%
16%
9%
48%
12%
7%
7%
6%
20%
34%
14%
9%
7%
22%
14%
68%
17%
4%
2%
2%
7%
38%
16%
12%
12%
12%
11%
59%
13%
5%
5%
2%
15%
32%
15%
11%
9%
16%
17%
67%
12%
6%
5%
2%
8%
32%
17%
15%
11%
14%
11%
57%
13%
7%
5%
5%
14%
22%
14%
9%
12%
25%
19%
61%
18%
7%
2%
4%
8%
37%
13%
10%
13%
17%
10%
46%
9%
8%
5%
8%
17%
27%
12%
9%
14%
24%
12%
64%
14%
9%
4%
2%
7%
Stats appearing in orange indicate a variation above the countrywide data of at least five percentage points —
highlighting particularly important topics for conversation with homeowners in this region.
The typical lifespan of a roof in the Northeast is 20-30 years, a figure that varies based on where the home is located. Based on this, these responses suggest that 26% of homes in this region have a roof that may have reached the
lower end of its anticipated lifespan.
The typical lifespan of a roof in the South is 15-25 years, a figure that varies based where the home is located.
Based on this, these responses suggest that 30% of homes in this region have a roof that may have
reached the lower end of its anticipated lifespan.
The typical lifespan of a roof in the Midwest is 20-25 years, a figure that varies based on where the home is located. Based on this, these responses suggest that 18% of homes in this region have a roof that may have
reached the lower end of its anticipated lifespan.
The typical lifespan of a roof in the West is 20-30 years, a figure that varies based on where the home is located. Based on this, these responses suggest that 30% of homes in this region have a roof that may have
reached the lower end of its anticipated lifespan.
Windows
Water heaters
Electrical systems
HVAC systems
35%
35%
37%
45%
Water heaters
32%
34%
Windows
Electrical systems
HVAC systems
36%
52%
Water heaters
33%
33%
Electrical systems
Windows
HVAC systems
35%
41%
Windows
36%
39%
Water heaters
HVAC systems
Electrical systems
43%
44%
Water heaters
36%
36%
Electrical systems
Windows
HVAC systems
40%
54%
Remember that many homeowners don’t routinely perform inspection or maintenance on these systems.
Reversing this behavior can remove a significant hurdle towards preventing water damage events.
Why this matters
Many homeowners reported engaging in at least some form of routine maintenance around the home. But not all.
In fact, 7% of homeowners didn't perform any task from the survey in the last 12 months. By scheduling and routinely
performing these home maintenance tasks, homeowners play an important role in helping to keep rates affordable
and stable, and their homes safe.
This also presents a critical consultative opportunity for independent agents. By providing valuable knowledge and resources
to help homeowners increase their home maintenance efforts, and avoid costly and disruptive claims, agents can reinforce
their value as not just an insurance expert, but a trusted adviser.
Some insurance carriers are helping to bring attention to the importance of routine maintenance to homeowners
through educational content, partnerships with vendors that offer discounted services, and aerial imagery inspections
to proactively identify issues before they lead to a loss.
Dan Halsey — President of Personal Lines, The Hanover Insurance Group
All products are underwritten by The Hanover Insurance Company or one of its insurance company subsidiaries or affiliates (“The Hanover”). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions and is subject to the company underwriting guidelines and the issued policy. This material is provided for informational purposes only and does not provide any coverage or guarantee loss prevention.
Survey Method
This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of The Hanover from February 22 - 26, 2024 among 2,060 adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,126 own a house. The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within +/- 2.5 percentage points using a 95% confidence level.
About The Hanover
The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc. is the holding company for several property and casualty insurance companies, which together constitute one of the largest insurance businesses in the United States. The company provides exceptional insurance solutions through a select group of independent agents and brokers. Together with its agent partners, The Hanover offers standard and specialized insurance protection for small and mid-sized businesses, as well as for homes, automobiles, and other personal items. For more information, please visit hanover.com.
Press Contacts
Emily P. Trevallion etrevallion@hanover.com 508-855-3263
Kyle Tildsley ktildsley@hanover.com 508-855-3287
Stats appearing in orange indicate a variation above the countrywide data of at least five percentage points —
highlighting particularly important topics for conversation with homeowners in this region.
Source: The National Association of Home Builders
Source: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety
Homeowners in the Northeast were surveyed on the estimated age of their home’s windows, electrical systems, water heaters and HVAC systems. Their responses suggest that a percentage of homes have features that have reached
the lower end of their anticipated lifespan, including:
Homeowners in the South were surveyed on the estimated age of their home’s windows, electrical systems, water heaters and HVAC systems. Their responses suggest that a percentage of homes have features that have reached the lower end of their anticipated lifespan, including:
Homeowners in the Midwest were surveyed on the estimated age of their home’s windows, electrical systems, water heaters and HVAC systems. Their responses suggest that a percentage of homes have features that have reached the lower end of their anticipated lifespan, including:
Homeowners in the West were surveyed on the estimated age of their home’s windows, electrical systems, water heaters and HVAC systems. Their responses suggest that a percentage of homes have features that have reached the lower end of their anticipated lifespan, including:
Stats appearing in orange indicate a variation above the countrywide data of at least five percentage points —
highlighting particularly important topics for conversation with homeowners in this region.
Stats appearing in orange indicate a variation above the countrywide data of at least five percentage points —
highlighting particularly important topics for conversation with homeowners in this region.