Jason Metzger leads our Risk Management team and is responsible for implementing strategies that help members reduce their risk of experiencing a loss.  

Q: When you consider the risks facing PURE members, what concerns you the most? 
A: Year after year, non-weather-related water damage, like plumbing leaks and appliance failures, is the most common cause of loss and disruption for our members, yet few see water as a major threat—or rather, don’t see it as a big enough threat to take action.  

Fire poses a life threat, so it is undoubtedly scarier than water, but you are much more likely to be impacted by water—and when it happens, the damage to your home and personal belongings can be devastating, not to mention the disruption to your daily life.

PURE member, friend and “Freakonomics” author Stephen Dubner has said this about risk: “Most people are pretty terrible at risk assessment. They tend to overstate the risk of dramatic and unlikely events at the expense of more common and boring (if equally devastating) events. A given person might fear a terrorist attack and mad cow disease more than anything in the world, whereas she’d be better off fearing a heart attack.” That same thought pattern happens with risks around the home. 

Q: What can members do to reduce their chance of a non-weather-related water loss?
A: There are several things that members can do to reduce their risk. Our data indicates that members who regularly maintain their homes, specifically the plumbing systems, are less likely to experience a claim.

This includes conducting regular checks and making any necessary upgrades when toilet supply lines, water heaters and other water-connected appliances reach the end of their recommended lifetime. Additionally, early detection is key.

Technology has proven effective in uncovering these small issues before they become bigger ones. See if you're eligible for the free monitoring technology we're offering to members >

Q: Why should members prioritize taking preventative action to reduce the likelihood of a water loss? 
A: The most obvious reason is that these claims are disruptive, displacing members from their homes for an average of 100 days while repairs are being made. And while our Claims team is committed to helping members recover as quickly and easily as possible, it is so much better to avoid one altogether.

The more subtle reason is that when members do their part to maintain their homes and take preventative steps, it reduces the considerable strain that these claims have on the membership, ultimately helping PURE to be as cost-effective as possible.