Spring is synonymous with fresh starts, as homeowners declutter, organize, and revitalize their living spaces. While you’re airing out closets and deep cleaning your home, it’s also the perfect time to take a closer look at your home insurance. That’s because re-examining your home insurance could uncover savings you weren’t aware of, keep you better protected, and prepare you for the unexpected.
And who doesn’t love a good spring-cleaning checklist? Let’s get started.
13 ways to refresh your home insurance coverage
- Update your home inventory
It’s easy to accumulate more stuff throughout the years without fully realizing how much their value adds up. Keeping an accurate inventory of your possessions — like electronics, appliances, furniture, jewelry, artwork, clothing, tools, and outdoor equipment — will help ensure your property insurance covers everything you own in case of damage or loss. This is important for claims related to theft, fire, water damage, or natural disasters. Plus, having a detailed inventory can make filing claims much faster and less stressful.- Spring cleaning tip: Take photos or videos of your items as you do your spring cleaning and store them securely in the cloud. Apps like Itemtopia, Nestegg, and Sortly are designed for home and business inventories, making it easy to include receipts, serial numbers, and purchase dates. These apps also allow you to organize your items by room or category for better tracking.
- Double-check coverage for your valuables
Did you know your standard home insurance policy might not fully cover high-value items like jewelry, electronics, or artwork? For example, there’s often a cap on how much your policy will pay for stolen jewelry, which might leave you out of pocket if something happens. Take a moment to think about what’s in your home — things like engagement rings, family heirlooms, or pricey gadgets. It’s worth double-checking that these are properly covered.- Spring cleaning tip: Get an appraisal to find out what your most valuable items are really worth. Having this on record can make things much easier if you ever need to file a claim. Then think about adding extra coverage — like a jewelry insurance policy, which covers many expensive items, to make sure your valuables are fully protected.
- Tell your insurer about renovations or upgrades
If you’ve made any significant changes to your home — like remodeling your kitchen or upgrading to energy-efficient windows — it’s important to let your insurer know. Home improvements can significantly boost your property’s value, but if your insurance policy doesn’t reflect those changes, you could end up underinsured. Even small upgrades, like installing custom cabinets or new flooring, can impact your home’s worth. Making sure your policy is updated means you’ll be better protected in case of an unexpected event.- Spring cleaning tip: Keep detailed records of home renovations, including receipts, contracts, and contractor details. Before-and-after photos are especially valuable and can play a key role in accurately adjusting your coverage. If possible, include close-ups that highlight the quality of materials, like high-end countertops or energy-efficient appliances.
- Look for mold and water damage
Spring cleaning is the perfect time to go beyond the surface and spot any hidden issues that could turn into bigger problems if left unchecked. Mold and water damage are two issues that can easily go unnoticed until they’ve caused serious problems. For instance, small leaks under a sink or extra moisture in your basement might not seem like a big deal at first, but they can lead to expensive repairs if left unchecked. Since insurers usually don’t cover damage caused by neglect, spotting these issues early couldsave you money and help avoid hassles in the future.- Spring cleaning tip: Take a close look at areas where moisture tends to build up, like basements, attics, bathrooms, and under sinks. A moisture meter is a handy tool to find hidden leaks. Check corners, walls, and spots near the plumbing for any signs of trouble. If you spot anything, deal with it as soon as possible so it doesn’t turn into a bigger problem.
- Review your liability coverage
As the weather gets warmer, your backyard becomes the go-to spot for barbecues, pool parties, and weekend time with family and friends. But accidents happen — someone could trip on uneven steps, slip by the pool, or get hurt playing cornhole — leaving you facing legal claims or responsible for medical bills. That’s why now is a great time to take a closer look at your liability coverage and be certain it’s ready for any surprises.- Spring cleaning tip: Consider adding an umbrella liability policy for an extra layer of protection that kicks in if a claim exceeds your standard homeowners’ policy limit. It’s more affordable than you might think and can give you a lot more financial security if something unexpected happens. A Baldwin Group agent can help determine if an umbrella policy is right for you.
- Discuss coverage options for seasonal items
With springtime temperatures, seasonal items like boats, ATVs, or even golf carts get dusted off. And while these items add to the fun — they also come with their own risks. Unfortunately, standard homeowners’ policies may leave gaps if these seasonal “toys” are stolen, damaged, or involved in an accident. Before you start using them this season, take a moment to review how they’re insured.- Spring cleaning tip: Reach out to your insurer to double-check whether your seasonal items are included in your current coverage. In many cases, they’ll require separate policies or riders. For example, there are add-on policies specifically designed for boats, golf carts, motorcycles, recreational vehicles, and even e-bikes. These policies can help ensure each item is properly covered, whether it’s for theft, damage, or liability. Visit our recreational vehicle page to learn more about getting a separate policy.
- Explore discounts that might be available to you
When it comes to insurance, many companies offer discounts that can help lower your premium. These could be based on things like bundling policies, making eco-friendly upgrades to your home, or even keeping a claim-free record. It’s worth asking about discounts — you might be surprised at how much you could save without losing any coverage.- Spring cleaning tip: Beyond bundling, you may qualify for savings by installing security systems, making your home more disaster-resistant, keeping a good credit score, paying your premium annually, or having a newer home. Even small improvements, like upgrading to energy-efficient lighting or a smart thermostat, can make a difference.
- Take steps to optimize your home security
Securing your home not only makes it safer, but it can also lead to savings on your insurance premiums. Simple upgrades like adding a smart doorbell or motion-activated lights can really boost your home’s security. For even more protection — and maybe bigger discounts — you might consider things like monitored alarms or video surveillance.- Spring cleaning tip: Before making any upgrades, reach out to your insurance provider to find out which security features qualify for discounts. Many insurers have specific criteria or even partnerships with device manufacturers, so it’s worth asking for recommendations. For example, some companies may offer bigger discounts for professionally monitored systems compared to DIY setups.
- Review your policy limits and deductibles
If you’ve owned your home for several years, the coverage that seemed perfect when you first got your policy might now leave you under-protected. On the flip side, you might be overpaying for coverage you no longer need. Take the time to review your policy limits and deductibles from year to year. This will help make sure your insurance coverage matches where you are in life today.- Spring cleaning tip: Check in with your agent once a year for a quick policy review. They’ll help you make sure your coverage matches your current needs and budget. For instance, if construction costs have gone up, you may need to increase coverage to be able to rebuild after a major loss. Or, if you’ve built up your savings, you might want to raise your deductible to lower your premium.
- Evaluate your home-based business coverage
These days, many people are working from home, running side hustles, or launching full-fledged businesses right from their living rooms.Most homeowners’ policies don’t include coverage for business-related equipment, inventory, or liability. It’s worth taking a closer look at your insurance so you won’t be left vulnerable if something goes wrong.- Spring cleaning tip: Take the time to review your home-based or small-business insurance. Key policies to consider include business interruption insurance to replace lost income, cyber liability insurance if you deal with sensitive data, and commercial auto insurance for cars and trucks used just for business.
- Keep records of completed home maintenance.
Neglecting things like a leaky roof or a malfunctioning smoke detector can turn into costly repairs if left unaddressed. But, if something does go wrong, having a record of completed projects can make a big difference in how your insurer handles your claim. For example, proof of regular HVAC servicing can show that a system failure wasn’t due to neglect and, potentially, streamline the claims process.- Spring cleaning tip: Keep a simple home maintenance checklist to track important tasks and include dates, photos, receipts, and service provider details in your log. To make it easier for you, try a home management app to keep it all organized and accessible if you ever need to file a claim. Some we like include Centriq, HomeKeep, and HomeZada.
- Be prepared for emergencies
Emergencies can pop up when you least expect them, and it’s easy to feel overwhelmed in the moment. One of the toughest parts is finding important info like your insurance policies or a list of emergency contacts. When things are hectic, scrambling to find paper copies or remember where you saved them only adds to the stress. Without a plan, you could end up missing important coverage or not being able to act quickly when it counts.- Spring cleaning tip: Consider storing digital copies of your insurance documents and a list of emergency contacts — like your insurance agent, local contractors, or family members — in the cloud or on a secure drive. By syncing your laptop with cloud storage, you’ll ensure these important files are backed up and accessible from anywhere, even if you need to access them from another device during an emergency.
- Revisit your exposure to risk
Spring flooding, summer storms, brush fires in autumn, or winter ice — each season has its own set of challenges. If your home insurance policy isn’t up to date, you could be left with unexpected out-of-pocket costs. That’s why it’s important to regularly review your coverage to make sure it’s protecting you against the specific risks in your area. A little proactive planning now can help you avoid surprises later, so you’re ready if disaster strikes.- Spring cleaning tip: Work with your insurance agent to assess local risks and ensure your policy covers them. For example, flood insurance may not be included in standard home policies but could be necessary depending on where you live. One of our agents can help identify coverage gaps and suggest updates for fuller protection.
Start spring cleaning
Spring cleaning goes beyond dusting and decluttering — it’s about preparing your home for the changes ahead, ensuring it’s ready for whatever the seasons bring. Why not extend that mindset to your home insurance? A quick policy review now can help safeguard what matters most and set you up for a more worry-free year ahead.
If you’re ready to take the next step, consider The Baldwin Group. We’ll help you navigate your options, provide tailored advice, and even find ways to save. With our support, you’ll feel confident that your insurance is working for you, no matter the season.
Let’s make sure your coverage is as fresh as your home. Give us a call at (813) 939-5288 or click here to get started online.
