Tuesday, June 30th, 2026 — A new survey from PEMCO Mutual Insurance found that homeowners in Washington and Oregon remain more concerned about house fires than water damage when leaving home for vacation, despite water losses accounting for the largest share of costly property insurance claims. The findings highlight a persistent perception gap that insurers can address during renewal discussions, particularly as summer travel increases.
According to the survey, 51% of respondents worry about something happening to their home while away, yet only 24% correctly identified water damage as the leading source of expensive home insurance claims. Industry data cited by PEMCO shows water is responsible for 45% of all interior property damage in U.S. homes, exceeding losses from fire and burglary combined. At the same time, burglary rates continue to decline nationally.
For claims adjusters, the results reinforce the continuing importance of water loss investigations, mitigation, and early intervention. Water losses remain among the most frequent and expensive residential claims, often involving plumbing failures, appliance leaks, frozen pipes, or water heater failures that can escalate quickly if a home is unoccupied.
The survey also points to an opportunity for insurers to reduce future claims through greater adoption of smart home technology. Less than 10% of U.S. households have leak detection systems installed, despite many insurers offering premium discounts or subsidized devices. Connected leak detection systems can alert homeowners before minor leaks become major losses, reducing claim severity and limiting secondary damage such as mold and structural deterioration.
For carriers, agents, and adjusters, the research underscores the value of educating policyholders about their actual exposure to water losses. As renewal season coincides with peak vacation travel, discussions around leak detection devices, remote monitoring, and preventive maintenance may help improve customer awareness while reducing claim frequency over time.
