Winter Is Coming: Is Your Home Protected from Its Wrath?

Winter’s coming, and with it the snow, hail and freezing temperatures that many of us dread. While those of us who live in cold climes wouldn’t dream of stepping outside before wrapping ourselves in sweaters, scarves and boots, we don’t often take the time to make sure that our houses are equally prepared for the onset of winter.

Each year in the US, the harsh weather of the season accounts for billions of dollars in property damage. The good news is that your homeowner’s insurance most likely covers unpleasant eventualities like collapsed roofs, burst pipes, fallen trees, injuries due to icy sidewalks or driveways, and temporary housing should you need to relocate because your home becomes uninhabitable or unsafe.

The caveat

These things are not covered if you’ve been negligent in regular upkeep of your home.

Since coverage does not extend to preventable damage, it’s up to you to keep a close eye on your home’s interior and exterior and proactively take steps to ensure that it’s adequately maintained.

Questions to conside

1. Is the roof in good repair? Check for tears and divots, clogged downspouts and signs of puddling or other damage from previous snow or water accumulation. Address any trouble spots before your region’s first frost.

2. When was the last time the trees on your property were surveyed for dead limbs, branches that droop or hit your home, and rotting root structures? If necessary, call in an expert to attend to any problems. By late fall, remember to wrap trees that are especially vulnerable to cold temperatures and high winds.

3. Have you checked the drainage around your home and been prompt about removing snow accumulation along its perimeter and on your sidewalks? Flooding is usually not covered by a standard home insurance policy, and insurers may balk at providing reimbursements related to slips and falls that result from your own negligence in clearing icy patches.

4. If you expect to be gone during much of the winter, have you insulated your pipes, shut off all water valves and left the heat turned on so the house will warm to at least 55 degrees?

Finally, if you decide to file a claim, familiarize yourself with other specific points of your policy to make sure you understand the exceptions and exclusions. For example, if you live in an area that typically experiences heavy snowfall, your deductibles may be higher, or coverage amounts limited. Also double-check to see which, if any, accessory structures on the property—including detached garages or garden sheds—are covered under your plan.