WHY SHOULD PLUMBING COMPANIES POSITION THEMSELVES AS EXPERTS IN LEAK PREVENTION DEVICES?
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IMPORTANCE OF PROPER SETTINGS
If sensitivity and thresholds are set up wrong upon installation, the system may have false alarms, or worse, the device may miss slow but damaging leaks. Proper calibration ensures the system reacts appropriately in any scenario.
1. High Flow Rate—A limit to the max instantaneous flow allowed; for most homes, a range of 6-10 GPM is an indication of a burst pipe or valve.
2. Excessive Water Use—This is a daily limit threshold, which is largely determined by the number of people living in the home.
3. Extended Water Use—Water use over a long period of time can mean there’s trouble with the plumbing system. Issues range from a running toilet, which is an easy fix, to a pinhole leak behind the wall, which requires immediate attention.
4. Unexpected Water Usage—Users should generally know what time of day, water use would be unexpected, and the system can generate an alert to notify them if water use exceeds a set threshold during that time. Example: A water softener regeneration cycle in the middle of the night may be normal, but use exceeding a preset amount could be a warning sign.
5. Vacation vs. Home Mode—The best apps allow one set of parameters when set to “occupied” and another, tighter range of “away” settings. The vacation or away setting can be as easy as remotely shutting off the valve or allowing basic operations, like an ice maker or irrigation system, for example.
Water softeners have created issues for leak prevention devices if the app doesn’t have specific settings to account for high intermittent use, which some water treatment equipment requires. The LeakSecure team has implemented settings to allow their devices to work properly when installed in-line before the water softener and is working on several different brand-specific integrations to eliminate any guesswork. LeakSecure also reads water quality, so it can help predict when the media should be replaced. If it’s installed after water purification equipment, it can tell customers if their equipment is working properly.
Pool fillers that run for extended periods need to be accounted for depending on the type of filler and flow rate. These fillers can use considerable amounts of water in the summer months, so seasonal adjustments to usage requirements might be required to keep things running smoothly.
As you can see, it’s all about proper settings and data-driven solutions to ensure ongoing customer satisfaction. It pays to consult each homeowner about how to adjust their system settings through the app, which is free of charge—no subscription is required. Empowering your customer with knowledge at the time of installation means you won’t be going back later to problem solve, and they’ll think of you first when they need expert service.
INSURANCE COMPANIES LOVE LEAK DETECTION
Here are the facts:
· 1 in 50 homeowners files a water damage claim each year.
· With leak detection and shutoff systems, insurers can reduce claims by up to 90%, according to pilot programs in high-risk areas.
· Water damage accounts for 23% of homeowner insurance claims, with annual payouts exceeding $9 billion.
· Even a modest reduction in claim volume translates into hundreds of millions in savings across the industry.
· Offering incentives for leak prevention devices not only reduces direct claims but also attracts more responsible policyholders, strengthening the overall portfolio.
· There are 14,000 water damage claims, averaging about $14,000 each, which means insurance companies are forking over nearly $200,000,000 per day.
· Some insurance carriers are even forcing homeowners to install some manner of mitigation for damage from leaks; this trend is unlikely to reverse course. It’s best to be ahead of this shift towards a solution that requires professional installation.
Q: What do the top ten insurance companies have in common?
A: They ALL give discounts for Leak Prevention devices.
The top ten homeowner’s policy underwriters, which combine to cover 60% of American homes, offer their customers discounts and/or rebates to cover the cost of installation. Just how much customers can save depends on the company, but here’s the breakdown:
1. State Farm (up to ~10% premium discount for approved water shutoff systems)
2. Allstate (provides 5%+ discounts in some markets)
3. USAA (typically 3–5% discounts on policies with professionally installed devices)
4. Liberty Mutual (Some states offer smart home discounts, including leak detection.)
5. Farmers (Some policyholders can get up to 8% off)
6. Travelers (Discounts vary by state)
7. Nationwide (offers 5–10% discounts in some states for automatic shutoff devices)
8. American Family (provides smart home discounts bundled with water leak prevention devices)
9. Progressive (No standard national discount program, but some regions offer device rebates or credits through partners)
10. Chubb (among the most generous: 10–12% premium credits for homes with whole-home water shutoff)
Most discounts require automatic shutoff capability, not just sensors/alerts. With leak detection and shutoff systems, insurers can reduce claims by up to 90%, according to pilot programs in high-risk areas. The biggest known discount is through Cincinnati Insurance, offering 12% or more on annual premiums. The case for a quick return on initial costs is obvious. Don’t just take our word for it; call your insurance company and see how much you might be able to save.
To summarize the market, it’s a win-win-win for all the stakeholders, and it’s a data-driven game changer for service companies everywhere.
· For consumers: Leak prevention devices stop waste, cut bills, prevent costly emergencies, and qualify for insurance savings.
· For insurers: They sharply reduce claim frequency and severity, protecting profitability.
· For utilities & communities: They conserve millions of gallons of treated water annually.
As for the companies installing LeakSecure, they gain 24/7/365 remote monitoring and insight into each customer’s home. By installing these devices, companies are able to bring extra value while building trust and unprecedented loyalty among their customer base.
For more information about how you can become a preferred partner of LeakSecure, go to LeakSecure.com/partner-hub, where you’ll find resources and contacts to set up training so you can become a frontrunner in this momentous shift in our industry. That’s not just.
