Moen strives to empower homeowners to protect themselves from water damage and its costly consequences. Here are our top tips for saving money while investing in smart water security. Some key advice? Get your insurance company to cover the costs.

Insurance Coverage for Leak Detection Devices

Many insurance companies are willing to pay for the installation of a leak detection device in your home. Why? Because these systems help reduce the number and cost of insurance claims related to water damage. Devices like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff have been shown to save thousands of dollars on homeowners’ insurance claims annually.

Insurance companies may cover the purchase and installation of these systems through various methods, such as rebates, direct reimbursement to homeowners, or partnerships with leak detection companies to provide discounts on devices and installation.

Additional Incentives

Beyond reducing setup costs, many insurance companies offer premium discounts for installing a smart water monitoring system. Device manufacturers may also offer deductible reimbursements. For instance, the optional FloProtect Plan includes a $5,000 Deductible Guarantee, covering up to $5,000 of your insurance deductible in case of unforeseen water damage.

Installation Considerations

Total-home leak monitoring systems like the Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff need to be installed on the main water line, which involves cutting the pipe to insert the device. Installation costs vary by state, plumber, and specific job requirements.

When planning for installation, consider the following:

• Device Size: Leak detection devices vary in size, which affects the ease of fitting them onto your main water line. The larger the device, the more pipe length required for installation. Check the dimensions of the devices to estimate installation costs.
• Installation Site: Smart water monitoring devices need an internet connection and access to power. Ensure the installation site allows for easy integration with your home’s Wi-Fi and power supply. You may need extension cords or even a new outlet installation, and a strong Wi-Fi signal is crucial for system performance.

Example: Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff

The Flo Smart Water Monitor and Shutoff come in different sizes to fit various pipe widths, offering flexibility for homeowners:

Each smart water security setup is unique, with varying costs depending on the system and installation requirements. By researching and leveraging insurance partnerships, you can protect your home cost-effectively.

By taking these steps, you can ensure that your home is protected from water damage, one drip at a time. For more information on how you could save money on your homeowner’s insurance and enhance your home’s safety and savings, contact a Triton Insurance Group agent today at (866) 400-7674.

The post How to Save Money on Leak Detection: Leverage Your Insurance appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

Prior to Storm 

Create an Evacuation Plan. This includes the removal of all detachable items from your boat. These items include cushions, dinghies, sails, and any other item you deem necessary. In the circumstance that your boat is docked in a marina- talk to the operator about how to pull your boat from the water and or how to tie it up. 

• Practice Boat Evacuation Drills
• Prepare Emergency Supplies
• Keep Boat Radio Charged
• Secure Important Documents

When the Storm is Forthcoming

On average there are about 12 to 24 hours of advance warning to prepare for a hurricane. One must continue being alert and aware of updates predicting the storms path and behaviors throughout the entirety of the storm. If you plan to keep your boat in the water there are certain guidelines and precautionary procedures that need to be completed. 

• In order to prepare your boat, begin by shutting off the boat’s main electrical system and the removing of the battery. 
• Anchor your boat with at least two anchors and arrange the position to point in the direction of the prevailing winds. 
• In order to counterbalance the effects of a storm surge the anchor lines must be 10 times the water depth at the docked location. 
• Cover the vents to the engine room and also to avoid water from flooding your motor- plug the stern’s exhaust pipes.

With the tag line “More Options. More Savings”​,​ Triton promotes the ability to offer clients hundreds of quotes from leading carriers. The agency offers home, auto, umbrella, business and worker’s compensations products. Since 1993 Triton Agency has forged a path leading the way through Florida’s very complex insurance environment. Call us today for more information!

The post Preparing Your Boat For a Hurricane  appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

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Keep these key tips in mind during this time and the remainder of the hurricane season!

1. Determine your risk
2. Create an evacuation plan
3. Create a home inventory outline
4. Build and collect items for a disaster kit
5. Get the proper amount of gas to fill cars and generators
6. Avoid any low-lying areas
7. Protect your car in a garage or parking shelter

With the tag line “More Options. More Savings”​,​ Triton promotes the ability to offer clients hundreds of quotes from leading carriers. The agency offers home, auto, umbrella, business and worker’s compensations products. Since 1993 Triton Agency has forged a path leading the way through Florida’s very complex insurance environment. Call us today for more information!

The post Tropical Storm Barry Update appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

Contact us today for a free quote on flood insurance options. 

With the tag line “More Options. More Savings”​,​ Triton promotes the ability to offer clients hundreds of quotes from leading carriers. The agency offers home, auto, umbrella, business and worker’s compensations products. Since 1993 Triton Agency has forged a path leading the way through Florida’s very complex insurance environment. Call us today for more information!

The post Quick Tip Tuesday: Automatic Water Shutoff Devices appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

With the tag line “More Options. More Savings”​,​ Triton promotes the ability to offer clients hundreds of quotes from leading carriers. The agency offers home, auto, umbrella, business and worker’s compensations products. Since 1993 Triton Agency has forged a path leading the way through Florida’s very complex insurance environment. Call us today for more information!

The post Quick Tip Tuesday: Inspect Your Gutters and Downspouts appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

I would start by stating some statistics, you are 5 times more likely to have water leak than you are to have a theft claim. You are 6 times more likely to have a water leak than you are to have a fire in your home. National statics state that nearly 40% of all homeowners will suffer from a damage due to water loss. I do not sell leak mitigation devices, nor do I own any part of a company that does. When I was offered a pilot program through one of our homeowner’s carriers (Frontline Insurance Company) I jumped at the chance to test the device.  

The device I had installed is about the size of 32 oz. cup, it attached to the outside of the home and I would recommend using a plumber as it must connect to your main water line. It also requires electricity so make sure you have a power source near the installation site.  The support team walked me through the initial installation and within minutes the device was synced to my Wi-Fi, an APP was installed on my phone. For the next two weeks, I was told my device would be in learning mode and it would monitor my water usage to ascertain a range of ‘normal’ water usage. I laughed at the word “normal” as a household of five (3 teenagers) does not understand normal water usage. For the next two weeks, I proceeded to torture my family with text messages about “who was taking such a long shower” or why did we use 200 of gallons of water yesterday, was laundry necessary every day. Eventually, the newness of my device took a back seat to other life events, but there was something reassuring knowing that someone else was watching over my property. 

Now the two-week learning phase was over, and the glow on my phone went from “learning” to “monitoring,” I had no idea what that meant, but would soon learn. The pool needed some water and I had asked my son to fill up when he got home from school. It was about 3:45 when I got the first text message on my phone about critical water usage. Seconds later I got an alert, that linked me to the app saying if my device didn’t hear from me it was going to shut down the water going into my house. As I was frantically dialing all my family members my phone began ringing, it was the call center monitoring my device asking if I needed assistance. Turns out it was not a flood of biblical proportions in my home, it was my son, filling the pool. There is a learning curve with the system but together we learned for the next couple of months.  

About 6 months after installation I started getting notice of excessive water usage every morning. The device would pressure test the entire plumbing system every night and the last couple days it had been noting water usage throughout the night. I called the support team and they instructed me to check all the toilets in the home and make sure they were not running as the amount of water that had been leaking was minimal. Over the next couple hours, together we continued to monitor the water consumption which increased with every passing hour. We had just remodeled the home and most of the above-ground plumbing were new, there were no visible signs of a water leak, but we knew we had an issue. I could shut off the water supply to the home with the swipe of a finger, so we did. I called in a plumber who worked on the home and we went through the house “swiping” the water on and off, listening to the floors and walls until we found the leak.  

What we found was a broken pipe under the foundation of the home in the middle of the master bath. The pipe in the foundation was older and sleeved in a PVC jacket so the water was making its way into the ground. When the ground became saturated it began making its way up the PVC sleeve toward my bedroom wall. Had I not had the water monitoring device in my home there is no telling what the extent of damage would have been. It was a pin sized hole in the pipe with a slow and very undetectable leak. It would have probably filled several walls with water, ruined cabinets had we not detected it. The cost would have been tens of thousands instead of a couple thousand. The device looks to retail for 495.00 and is now offered at many of the local hardware stores. I am sure there are many brands, models and variances in the water monitoring field. The average deductible in the State of Florida is 2,500 for a claim of this nature, not to mention the out of pocket expenses not covered by insurance.  

If you would like any further information please do not hesitate to give us a call, we would be happy to help in any way.  

Here is a link to the device: https://meetflo.com/

The post There is an APP to Protect Your Home From Water Damage & Leaks appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

Dog Bite Liability

First, on the list: dog bite liability.  A dog bite was commonly covered on all policies, now dog bite exclusions are the norm.  A Dog bite is STRICTLY interpreted by the law, meaning that almost always the dog owner will be held liable.  Dog bite claims on average run approximately 24k per incident.  What you can do is speak to your agent about adding back coverage.  If you cannot add coverage back you may be able to purchase a separate policy for a dog bite.

Trampolines

Second exclusion relates to Trampolines, Diving Boards and Slides.  Trampolines, diving boards, and slides fall under the “Attractive Nuisance Doctrine” meaning they are items which can lure children to trespass on your property.  An important thing to note about this doctrine is that you are responsible for a child’s injuries regardless of whether they were invited on your property or not.  Insurance carriers exclude liability and in many instances will not insure a home that has any of these items.  There are no rider and coverage cannot be purchased separately for any of these items.

Water Damage

Finally, water damage exclusions and limitations are becoming more popular on most policy forms.  With the increased incidents and rising cost of water damage claims, most carriers have included water damage exclusions.  Although this exclusion is more common on homes over 30 years of age we are now seeing carriers add it to newer homes.  Water damage is defined as any sudden or accidental discharge of water from plumbing or appliances.  Also included is water which penetrates through the roof or exterior walls.  Fortunately, this coverage can be purchased back in part or in whole.  Make sure you speak to your agent about your water limitations.

Many exclusions and limitations exist in your Home Insurance, having a professional agent to explain coverage is your best safeguard against exposure.

The post 3 Home Policy Exclusions You Likely Never Knew About appeared first on Triton Insurance Agency.

Check out some of these simple issues that cost these homeowners BIG!

Crazy, isn’t it?

These are just a few of hundreds of claims that we’ve seen caused by the overtightening of these components with tools.  It is absolutely a concern and one we are thankful can be observed by noting tool marks prior to catastrophic losses such as these.  I hope that this helps to illustrate that this is not being “nit-picky” at all, but rather a salient concern that will result in failure if not remedied.  We have already replaced several of these couplers that were observed cracked and actively leaking during the Home Checkup, likely saving our insureds months of repairs and loss of their personal property. Want to read more? Check out Tower Hill’s blog post here

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