Winter is here, bringing with it beautiful snowy landscapes—and potential risks to your home and car. In the insurance industry, claims related to ice damage, burst pipes, and auto accidents on slippery roads spike during this season.
The best way to save money and avoid the hassle of a claim is to be preventive. We’ve compiled a list of essential, proactive steps you can take right now to protect your assets and understand how your Auto & Homeowners insurance can help if the worst happens.
Home Protection – Guarding Against Frozen & Water Damage
Your home is your biggest investment, and winter is arguably its most challenging season. The two biggest threats are related to freezing temperatures: ice dams and burst pipes.
Pipes and Water Damage: Prevention is Key
- Insulate Exposed Pipes: Focus on pipes in unheated areas like attics, basements, and crawl spaces. Use foam pipe insulation (often called pipe sleeves) which is inexpensive and easy to install.
- The Drip Trick: When temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, allow a faucet to slowly drip cold water. This relieves pressure and keeps water moving, which is often enough to prevent a freeze-up.
- Open Cabinets: For sinks on exterior walls, open the cabinet doors to allow warmer air from the room to circulate around the pipes.
- Know Your Main Shutoff Valve: If a pipe does burst, the first thing you need to do is shut off the main water supply. Know exactly where this valve is before an emergency happens.
💡 Insurance Tip: Homeowners policies typically cover sudden and accidental water damage from burst pipes. However, if the damage is due to lack of maintenance (like leaving your heat off while away on vacation), coverage can be limited or denied. Always keep your home heated, even when away!
Ice Dams and Roof Safety
An ice dam forms when heat escapes through your roof, melting the snow. This water runs down, freezes at the cold edge of the roof (the eave), and creates a barrier. This barrier traps melting water behind it, forcing it under your shingles and into your home’s walls or ceilings.
- Improve Ventilation and Insulation: This is the long-term solution. Proper attic insulation and ventilation prevent the roof deck from getting warm enough to melt the snow.
- Keep Gutters Clean: Ensure water can drain freely before the cold weather hits.
- Rake the Roof: After a heavy snowfall, use a roof rake to remove snow from the first few feet of your roof edge. This is the area where ice dams usually form.
Auto Safety – Driving and Parking in Slippery Conditions
Winter driving requires vigilance. The likelihood of an accident increases significantly on icy and snow-covered roads.
Vehicle Preparation and Maintenance
- Check Your Tires: Ensure your tires have adequate tread depth and are properly inflated. Consider winter tires if you live in an area with consistent snow and ice.
- Test Your Battery: Cold weather drains car batteries faster. Have your battery and charging system tested before the deepest cold sets in.
- Replenish Fluids: Use winter-grade windshield washer fluid that resists freezing and ensure your antifreeze levels are correct.
- Create an Emergency Kit: Keep a kit in your trunk with jumper cables, road flares, blankets, a first-aid kit, and cat litter or sand (for emergency traction).
Safe Driving Practices
- Slow Down: Reduce your speed. The speed limit is for ideal conditions, not icy ones. Increased stopping distance is the main danger.
- Increase Following Distance: Give yourself at least three times the normal following distance.
- Gentle Movements: Avoid sudden steering, braking, or accelerating. Smoothness is your best ally on slick roads.
💡 Insurance Tip: If you’re involved in an accident:
- Collision Coverage covers damage to your vehicle, regardless of fault (minus your deductible).
- Liability Coverage pays for damage and injuries you cause to others.
- If you are hit by a driver without insurance, Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist Coverage may apply.
🔑 Your Next Steps for Winter Readiness
Don’t wait for a claim to happen. Take a few minutes this week to:
- Home: Check your pipe insulation and locate your water shutoff valve.
- Auto: Check your tire pressure and restock your emergency kit.
- Insurance Review: Call your agent to review your Auto and Homeowners policies. Confirm your deductibles and make sure you have adequate coverage for common winter perils.
Embrace prevention this winter. While your Homeowners and Auto insurance policies are there as a critical financial safety net, taking simple, proactive measures—from insulating a pipe to slowing down on an icy road—is the best way to keep your family safe and your assets protected. A little preparation now can prevent a major claim later, ensuring your winter season remains cozy, safe, and claims-free.