Fall in Southwest Missouri means cooler mornings, changing leaves, football and festivals—and the reminder that winter isn’t too far behind.
While you’re cleaning gutters and getting the house ready for colder weather, it’s also a good time to give your insurance a quick checkup.
Here are 5 fall insurance tips for Missouri homeowners before winter arrives.
1. Check Your Roof and Exterior
After the weather we’ve had this year, start here.
Wind and hail accounted for 42.5% of homeowners insurance losses nationwide in 2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Walk around your home and look for damaged shingles, siding, gutters or other exterior issues.
And if you still have damage from our April hailstorm, don’t assume it can wait. There may be deadlines and other considerations when filing a claim. Read our article, Still Have Hail Damage From the April Storm? Don’t Wait to File Your Claim, or give us a call if you’re unsure what to do.
2. Get Ahead of Frozen Pipes and Fire Risks
A little fall maintenance can prevent a very expensive winter problem.
Water damage and freezing claims averaged approximately $15,400 per claim from 2019–2023, according to the Insurance Information Institute.
Disconnect outdoor hoses, insulate exposed pipes and make sure you know where your main water shutoff is located.
If you have a fireplace or wood stove, have it inspected and cleaned as needed. This is also a good time to service your furnace and test your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors.
We’d much rather help you prevent a claim than have to help you through one!
3. Make Sure Your Home Coverage Still Makes Sense
Did you remodel the kitchen, finish the basement, build a detached garage or make another major improvement this year?
Tell your insurance agent.
Remember, your home’s market value isn’t the same as its rebuilding cost. Your dwelling coverage should reflect what it could cost to rebuild your home—not simply what you could sell it for.
You don’t have to figure that number out yourself. That’s part of what we’re here for.
4. Watch for Deer
Here’s one that every Southwest Missouri driver can relate to.
October and November are peak months for deer movement. The Missouri Department of Transportation reported 2,952 deer-related crashes in Missouri in 2024, resulting in four deaths and 420 injuries.
And here’s something worth checking before you need it: damage from hitting a deer is typically handled under comprehensive coverage, not collision coverage.
Not sure if you have comprehensive coverage? Check your policy or give us a call. You can also learn more about Missouri Auto Insurance.
5. Think About What Changed This Year
Some insurance gaps happen simply because life changed and nobody thought to tell the insurance agent.
Did you add a teenage driver? Buy an ATV, side-by-side, camper or boat? Add a building? Put in a pool? Make a major home improvement?
Those are things we want to know about.
It’s also worth reviewing your liability limits and whether an umbrella insurance policy makes sense as your assets and responsibilities grow.
Add Insurance to Your Fall Checklist
You don’t need to spend your weekend reading insurance policies.
But you should know whether your coverage still fits your life.
If it’s been a while since we’ve reviewed your insurance—or something has changed this year—contact Smart Insurance Agency.
We’ll take a look with you, answer your questions and make sure you understand what you have.
No pressure. No insurance jargon. Just a conversation.