Homeowners know the value of a good home insurance policy, but making certain claims may do more harm than good.

On this Consumer Alert, we have the five home repairs you should think about getting fixed on your own.

Water stains mark the ceiling just above Rae Rippy's front door, but he knows better than to tell his insurance company.

"What it boils down to is, you keep a high deductible to keep your rates down so you just don't deal with small things," Rippy said.

Many insurance companies will cancel your policy if you have too many claims, often raising the premiums along the way. Homes themselves can become uninsurable if companies consider them too big a risk.

Contractors and insurance agents agree there are five common problems homeowners should address without calling their insurance agent.

Ron Williams is a professional contractor who often works on insurance claims.

Williams said that minor roof leaks are one area you should take care of yourself. In one job he is working on, he recommends the flashing be replaced where the roof meets a vertical wall. It will cost about $500.

Another problem you are better off taking care of yourself is a dripping shower pan and the rubber lining beneath the tile.

"It's only the bottom of the shower, and not as big a deal as people think," Williams said.

The cost for this repair is less than $800.

A third problem is a clogged air conditioner condensation drain. "This line here, you just put some pressured air on that, of any kind, and just blow it out and clear it," Williams explained. The cost to repair this damage would be $200 to $400.

The fourth problem is a fence blown over by the wind, breaking several wooden posts.

"It cost me less to just to go through and dig out the wood posts and put in other ones myself," said Al Somerhalder. It cost Somerhalder less than $200 for each post.

The last problem you shouldn't take to the insurance company is a broken door jam kicked in by a burglar.

Experts say that all you have to do isreplace the jam side, replace the trim and maybe paint one wall. It should cost less than $450 to repair.

The bottom line for homeowners is to see what a repair will cost before turning in a claim.