When winter weather rolls into town, that means one thing for homeowners: an increased risk of weather-related damage. To limit the impact of harsh, freezing temperatures and blustering blizzards, it’s important to understand some basic snow home maintenance to avoid having to make a costly homeowners insurance claim. By going through a basic winter home maintenance checklist each year before temperatures drop, you can keep your home in tip-top condition and ensure your homeowners policy gives you the protection you need.
The Relationship Between Home Insurance and Winter Weather
Colder weather comes with some additional considerations when it comes to home insurance. Standard policies cover many unexpected cold-weather events that could affect your home, including damage from falling snow, wind, and burst pipes. However, you may not be able to make a claim if you don’t keep up with your property and properly prepare your house for the colder temperatures.
For example, if a sudden blizzard piles snow onto your house, damaging your roof, you could be able to make a claim. However, if you already had roof issues or let your gutters get clogged with leaves and debris, your insurance provider may argue that you could have prevented the damage if you properly maintained your roof.
Insurance typically only covers roof replacements and other repairs related to a covered peril, and a lack of upkeep could interfere with your claim. As a result, it’s critical to keep up with your house and take preventative measures as the seasons change. Not only can you prevent inconvenient damage, but you can get the most out of your policy. By using a few winter home care tips each year as it gets colder, you can protect your investment in your house and avoid the time-consuming claims process.
Basic Steps to Secure Your Home from the Cold
If you want to make sure your home can handle even the toughest storms during the cold season, you’ll want to inspect and reinforce every aspect of your property carefully. When preparing a home for winter, the following are some of the most important areas to address.
Managing Heating and Plumbing Systems
Maintaining the temperature in your house is essential for avoiding frozen pipes. Start by setting the thermostat to at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, even if you’re going on vacation. You should also open cabinets near your pipes to circulate warm air more effectively and keep the metal from getting too cold. If you have pipes that are particularly prone to freezing, you can insulate them even more with heat tape and other protective materials.
If you’re expecting a particularly cold freeze, keep your faucets dripping. The flow of water will help decrease the chance of a burst pipe. If you’re planning to be away from your property for an extended period of time, you may even want to turn off your water supply and drain all pipes to prevent an unexpected accident.
Exterior Checks and Fixes Before Snowfall
Carefully inspect the outside of your home, including your fence and roof, to address any hazards before snow starts to fall. Clear out your drainpipes and reinforce any damaged areas. You’ll also want to trim any trees on your property to avoid falling limbs during windy storms. If you have any plants and other landscaping, you can keep them in good shape during freezes by protecting them with frost blankets or plant covers.
Emergency Readiness and Supplies
If a winter storm does hit, you want to be prepared. Set up an emergency readiness kit to keep you, your home, and your family safe during heavy snowfall. For example, you’ll want to have a generous store of clean drinking water in the event that your pipes freeze. Add emergency blankets, warming devices, and waterproof rain gear for extra protection.
While you prepare your home, take the time to winter-proof your car as well. Inflate your tires to the right pressure, inspect your battery, and replace your windshield wipers to prepare for flurries. Depending on the local climate, you may also want to get snow tires or tire chains. For good measure, keep a window scraper in your vehicle to clear away ice.
Understanding and Updating Your Homeowners Insurance
Along with implementing these winter tips for your home, you should also review your homeowners policy. Make sure your plan includes protection for common issues in your area, especially if you’re located in an area that gets severe winter weather.
Snow home insurance claims can range from falling debris to roof damage, so you’ll need to cover all your bases. Be sure to explore common exclusions, such as flooding from melted snow. Depending on your specific situation, you may want to get extra endorsements for flooding, windstorms, and beyond.
If you’ve recently made any upgrades to your house or constructed additions to your property, you’ll also want to make sure your policy reflects these improvements. Without updating your policy, you may not be able to get the coverage you need.
Proactive Measures to Lower Homeowners Insurance Costs
Even if your policy covers all your winter damage, it’s best to avoid filing a claim in the first place. Your premium will likely increase if your insurer has to pay for serious damages. When you take care of your house properly, you can help avoid unnecessary price hikes. Along with handling standard cold weather tasks, carefully document your maintenance to show that you’ve been proactive about keeping your home in good shape and avoiding unnecessary seasonal issues.
Make Sure You’re Covered This Winter
Cold temps, heavy snowfall, and other elements of winter weather can impact your home in different ways. Understanding common issues is essential to preventing frustrating, expensive damages. Completing a basic home care checklist each year before temperatures plummet could help you keep your house in great shape while also keeping your premiums low.
Even after you finish winter-proofing your home, snow and ice can still take their toll on your property. That’s why working with a reliable insurer like Freeway is essential. With a homeowners policy from Freeway, you can maintain your peace of mind all winter long. Set up your coverage today by finding your local Freeway Insurance office, using our online quote generator, or calling 800-777-5620.
