Winter storm damage is a potential nightmare for homeowners and businesses.
Wind, ice, snow, and cold temperatures may impact your building’s structure and cause severe damage.
Although it is difficult to predict the severity and the impact they may have on your home or business, there are ways you can prepare to avoid losses and navigate insurance claims.
Why?
In 2021, we have had a few days of winter storms in the Greater Philadelphia area. Only in a few days have we received many emergency calls for restoration jobs involving:
- Burst pipes due to colder temperatures
- Water damage caused by leaking roofs
- Roof collapse due to the weight of snow, ice, and sleet
If experiencing these events is stressful, frustration adds to the reality of the situation, especially when interacting with the insurance company.
Winter Storm Damage and Your Named Perils
Let’s be clear. This list is not universal.
It varies between insurance policies and insurance companies.
Named Perils cover the specific causes of damage or injury.
Your Named Perils clause may cover against some perils like fire, smoke, wind, and more, but they may not cover all perils or only cover perils in some instances.
Therefore, it is always a good idea to read your Named Perils clause carefully.
In the event of winter storm damage, check if your insurance policy includes coverage for:
- The weight of snow or ice or sleet
- Falling objects
- Freezing
The number of Named Perils varies between insurance policies. Depending on your insurance company and the insurance policy you bought, separate endorsements may be necessary to cover additional perils that may not appear in your Named Perils.
As always, make sure you understand exceptions clearly.
To avoid unnecessary frustration and stress with an insurance claim, determine what your policy covers ahead of time, in fact, well before discovering it the day of the loss:
- Check what your insurance covers under “sudden & accidental.”
- Determine what is included and excluded from the Named Perils.
- Check if you need a separate endorsement to include perils not covered by your insurance policy.
Ultimately, winter storm damage will happen during a homeowner or renter’s lifetime. Therefore, know what to look for and expect.
The Most Common Winter Storm Damage
In terms of winter storm damage, the most common property damage types are roof damage or collapse. They are usually caused by the weight of snow, ice, or sleet.
Another typical winter storm damage is burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures. Damage caused by frozen pipes is ‘sudden and accidental,” assuming that you maintained heat in your home and applied best practices of your home or building’s water supply.
Finally, ice dams are the third category of winter storm damage. They can cause water damage to walls and ceilings. An ice dam that forms at the edge of a roof can prevent melting snow from draining off the roof. Typically, this would not be covered by a basic Named Perils policy.
There are Preventative Measures to Avoid Winter Storm Damage
Although you might have the right coverage, maintaining your property is the best way to anticipate winter storm damage and insurance claims.
Therefore, before and during winter, take the time to check your property periodically:
- Evaluate your roof. Flat large roofs are more prone to damage in case of snow or ice build-up.
- Verify your vents to avoid leaks
- Check your insulation materials
- Protect your pipes with foam
- Disconnect hoses from your faucets, and drain the water from exterior faucets
- Cover your exterior faucets with protective materials
- If there is an accumulation of snow on your roof during the winter, safely remove it.
Your Takeaways
As always, preparation is essential. Therefore, know what your insurance policy covers and do your due diligence with the insurance company. Make sure you understand what is covered and not covered.
Always evaluate your property before and during the winter season. If your area faced an episode of snow or ice, check how your property is impacted and take precautionary steps to maintain a sound structure.