Home insurance and winter weather damage

The holidays may be over, but winter is just starting. Here is what you need to know about winter weather damage and your home insurance.

Think about liability

In the winter, your liability worries increase due to ice and a snow on your property that can pose a danger to visitors and neighbors. We tend to remember to ice the sidewalks and shovel clear paths, but what about icicles hanging from the roof or sheets of snow? These can fall and cause serious, even fatal injuries.

Keep your home safe

Snow and ice are heavy. Should they be allowed to build up and sit, they can cause structural damage, collapse roofs and leave homes uninhabitable. Once they melt, snow and ice also pose a risk of flooding and general water damage. Homeowners must keep an eye on how much snow is accumulating and look for ways to safely remove it.

Home insurance does not cover everything

If it is found that the issue you file a claim for occurred due to your own negligence, the insurance company is within their right to deny your claim. Insurance companies expect that their clients will complete basic care on the home to avoid the majority of preventable accidents. Some examples of basic care include:

• Burst pipes due to not turning on the heat or neglecting maintenance
• Damage from a fallen tree that the owner knew was at risk of falling
• Snow damage due to an improperly maintained roof
• Failure to promptly remove ice from the property
• Septic backup due to melting snow and ice if the tank has not been regularly cleaned
• Damage caused by a neighbor, as their own policy should pay out for the damages

In general, you can expect that your insurance company will cover all damage that is not a result of improper action or maintenance on your part, up to the limits of your policy. To get the best possible results, contact an adjustor as soon as the covered event occurs and take time to document the incident. Keep in mind that if damage is minimal, the financially sound choice may be to forgo making a claim.

To learn more about your winter weather coverage, speak with an insurance broker.