2025 Hanover Home Report Finds Homeowners Have Ample Opportunities to Increase Home Safety

Core Insights - The 2025 Hanover Home Report emphasizes the need for homeowners to adopt risk prevention technologies and solutions to protect their homes from significant damage [1][7]. Awareness and Action Summary Water Damage Prevention - 79% of homeowners are aware of water sensors, and 76% are aware of automatic water shutoff devices [6] - Only 16% have installed water sensors, and 13% have installed automatic shutoff devices [6] Structural Safety - 61% of homeowners are aware of fortified roofs, and 59% know about wind-rated garages [6] - 17% have updated their roofs with fortified materials, and 10% have installed wind-rated garages [6] - Increased awareness is noted, with 57% of homeowners checking their roofs in the past 12 months, up from 38% in the previous year [6] Fire Prevention - 99% of homeowners are aware of smoke detectors, and 97% are aware of fire alarms [6] - 67% have installed smoke detectors, and 62% have cleaned dryer vent ducts in the past year [6] - 57% have serviced HVAC systems or changed filters in the past year [6] Recommendations for Homeowners - Installing water sensors and automatic shutoff devices can significantly reduce water loss impact [6] - Regular property inspections, including checks of water heaters, roofs, and HVAC systems, can prevent costly damage [6] - Maintenance activities such as trimming trees and cleaning gutters can mitigate wind and hail damage [6] - Fire safety measures, including installing smoke detectors and cleaning dryer vents, are essential for fire prevention [6] Industry Insights - The report indicates that the insurance industry has made progress in educating homeowners about risk prevention, but further efforts are needed to encourage actionable steps [5][7].