The survey, conducted by Impulse Research, of Los Angeles, over the summer, and sponsored by Chubb, asked homeowners about their experience with water damage and if they followed some simple practices to avoid problems.

Of the 1,633 people surveyed, 39 percent said they turned down the heat in their homes to below 60 degrees in the cold weather months, if they went away on vacation.

Chubb recommends that the temperature be left at 65 degrees, and access doors to exposed pipes be opened to allow warm air from the heating system in.

Homeowners should drain all pipes flowing to the outside. During long periods of time away from home, the owner should turn off the water and have someone check the home to ensure the heating system is functioning and there are no frozen pipes.

Forty-one percent of vacation homeowners failed to shut off the water and drain pipes when closing a house at the end of the season.

The survey found that homeowners do not take some basic steps to prevent water damage.

Among the numbers:

? 31 percent never inspect washing machines.

? 36 percent do not inspect toilets.

? 61 percent do not inspect water heaters.

? 97 percent did not install a moisture or water detection system.

The survey also noted that more than half, 51 percent, did not have enough coverage to deal with the damage, either not having coverage or only minimal coverage.

Chubb noted that the average cost for a claim from water damage or freezing rose 38 percent, from $2,519 in 1998 to $3,469 in 2002, according to information supplied by Insurance Services Office.

Scott Spencer, worldwide home appraisal manager for Chubb Personal Insurance, noted that more and more homes are filled with expensive items that can be destroyed by water damage.

He mentioned fine art, computers, and home theater systems. Newer homes also have more bathrooms and hot tubs, which mean more plumbing that can leak or crack and create a potential water disaster.