Keep It Clean... Or Lose Your Home Insurance

Insurance companies usually don’t poke around the inside of your home when they write up your home insurance policy.

But that could be changing, as insurers increasingly cite “hoarding” risks that cause people to trip over your stuffed animal collection or start home fires from flammable materials lying around the house.

There are a host of new reality TV shows, like American Pickers on the History Channel, that feature houses, barns, garages, and basements chock full of junk and the occasional antique or collectible that gets the show’s hosts all giddy and excited.

But what seems like potential treasure to some, is seen as an accident waiting to happen for insurance companies.

You can actually see where insurance companies are coming from. In a word, too much junk means too much potential for disaster.

So what exactly is hoarding, and how can it negatively impact your homeowner insurance? According to LandlordAssociation.org, "Compulsive hoarding and cluttering refers to the acquisition of and failure to discard a large number of possessions, which appear to be useless or of limited value, in an attempt to decrease stress and anxiety. This serious and prevalent problem can lead to eviction and homelessness."

Insurers see a litany of problems from having too much clutter in your home. According to the Mental Health Association, here are the big ones:

• Safety Hazards. A cluttered house can limit mobility (causing falls) and can be especially hazardous to the elderly and disabled.
• Health Hazards. Excessive clutter can lead to inadequate cleaning. Rotting food items can attract bugs and rodents, leading to health hazards. Reduced cleaning can also worsen existing allergies and breathing problems.
• Fire Hazards. Clutter can block doorways and windows, making leaving a home very difficult. Boxes, paper, clothing and other items are extremely flammable and will add fuel to a fire.