Common Home Insurance Claims During Winter

New England winters are tough,… on both you and your home. Unfortunately, the likelihood that damage will occur to your home is a bit higher during the winter and can lead to insurance claims. Here’s a look at common home insurance claims during winter and what you can do to prevent them.

1 – Frozen Pipes

Frozen pipes create a very expensive mess for homeowners. Water pipes can burst in any area of your home and spread quickly and downward to lower levels. It’s honestly a nightmare for homeowners to deal with. Read our blog post on ways to prevent freezing pipes during frigid temperatures.

2 – Fire

As temperatures drop, households use more heating elements such as heating systems, wood stoves, fireplaces, and portable heaters. This increased the chances of a fire in your home. To reduce the dangers, practice good fire and wood stove safety and take precautions when using space heaters. It’s also a good idea to keep a fire extinguisher in your home. That can help prevent a small fire from becoming a much larger one. Don’t forget to check your smoke detectors as well!

3 – Snow Damage

Damage from snow storms is another of the common home insurance claims during winter. Wind, hail, and heavy snow can cause immediate damage to homes, but there’s also the aftermath of storms to consider. For instance, as snow melts and refreezes, ice dams can form. To protect your home, check it during the fall or early winter. Look for loose shingles and other things that might come loose during a storm. Also, learn how to prevent ice dams by reading our blog on this very topic.

4 – Slip & Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents are also common during winter months. When someone gets injured on your property, they are likely to file a claim against your homeowner’s insurance. You can minimize the danger by promptly clearing off snow from storms and coating surfaces with salt or sand.

Why Common Home Insurance Claims During Winter Can Be a Problem

Although insurance may cover these common home insurance claims during winter, you should still take steps to avoid these issues. Frequent insurance claims can dramatically increase future insurance premiums. Additionally, you must also cover the deductible for any claims, so that’s money out of your pocket. By taking precautions, you can avoid claims and the cost and headaches that come with them.