What Every Homeowner Needs to Know | Global News Avenue

a standard homeowners insurance Policies cover many types of winter storm damage, such as damage from high winds or roof collapse due to excessive snow or ice. Most policies will also cover the cost of cleanup or repairs if you Pipes freeze Or your furnace is damaged by low temperatures, as long as you take reasonable steps to heat your home and prevent damage.

Why Home Insurance Typically Covers Winter Storm Claims

Before determining whether your homeowners insurance will cover your specific winter storm or cold weather-related losses, it helps to understand the common dangers or causes of damage or loss, Home Insurance Policy Covers.

Under most homeowners insurance policies, the structure of your home and accessory structures, such as a garage or deck, are covered on a broad “all risks” basis. This means the insurance company will cover all causes of damage or loss to your home, except for the 10 or so policy exclusions outlined in the first section of the policy.

Standard policies cover most causes of winter storm damage or loss, including:

• storm or hail
• weight of snow or ice
• Frozen pipes or home heating system
• fire or lightning
• falling objects
• Sudden water overflow or discharge from home system
• Hot water heating system suddenly tears or ruptures
• all other dangers Except for flood, earthquake, wear and tear or neglect or any other peril excluded in the policy

In addition to understanding what your policy does and does not cover, you should also understand the basics of home insurance claims and your rights as a claimant. For example, for an insurance company claim denied For home damage, they usually have the burden of proof to prove that the cause of the damage was not covered by the policy.

When is winter storm damage typically covered?

Homeowners insurance covers damage caused by wind, snow, ice, freezing temperatures, and a wide range of other perils associated with winter property damage. A good place to start is by carefully reading your policy and the specific risks your insurance company covers (and does not cover) File a claim.

Generally speaking, most homeowners insurance policies should cover the following winter-related damage or losses, provided they are accidental and not caused by homeowner negligence or general wear and tear.

• Property damage caused by wind, snow or ice: If strong winds damage your roof, or it collapses due to excessive snow accumulation or ice dams forming near gutters, your insurance company may cover the following costs: Repair or replace roof.
• Broken pipes or equipment-related damage due to freezing temperatures: If your pipes freeze or if a pipe or appliance bursts or breaks, homeowners insurance will often cover the cost of cleaning and repairing floors, walls, furniture or other damaged items. But insurance companies won’t pay to replace broken pipes or the equipment itself.
• Accidental water or mold damage: Home Insurance Coverage water and mold damage As long as your policy covers the underlying cause of the damage and the loss is unexpected or unpreventable, such as a pipe bursting and flooding your basement, causing mold.
• Fallen trees or branches causing unpreventable damage: In addition to covering direct damage caused by wind, snow, ice, or any other covered peril, homeowners insurance typically also covers indirect Damage caused by a covered peril. In other words, if a tree on your property falls onto the siding of your home, or if a frozen branch falls and damages your roof due to a snowstorm or ice storm, your insurance company may cover the cost of the repairs , because the root cause of the loss is also called proximate cause— Covered by your policy.

To be reimbursed for repairs, the total damage or loss caused by the covered event must be greater than your policy Deductiblewhich is the amount you need to cover before the insurance starts paying. So, if your insurance company estimates $1,500 of damage to your home and your policy has a $1,000 deductible, your insurance company will only pay $500.

When is winter storm damage generally not covered?

In addition to checking your policy to confirm whether the loss is covered, you should also be aware of the various policy exclusions and coverage exceptions that insurance companies often cite when denying a claim. Here are the key policy exclusions to be aware of before filing a winter storm damage claim.

• Pre-existing damage or damage caused by general wear and tear: If your insurance company concludes that your home was ultimately damaged due to a lack of property maintenance or pre-existing damage, they may deny your claim on this basis. For example, let’s say you file a roof damage claim after a heavy snowstorm, but the insurance company discovers during the claim investigation that your roof is over 20 years old and has significant cosmetic damage. In this case, the insurance company may deny your claim due to insufficient maintenance or wear and tear exclusions.
• Damaged pipes or systems in an unmaintained home: While property damage due to freezing temperatures is generally covered, insurance companies can deny these claims if they find that the root cause of the damage was the homeowner’s negligence or lack of diligence. For example, if your insurance company discovers that your water pipes froze because you forgot to adequately heat your home or shut off the water line before it was vacant for an extended period of time, they may deny your claim.
• Obvious or preventable water or mold damage: If your home or belongings suffer water or mold damage that is preventable or visible (for example, if your windows are not sealed properly and moisture can enter the interior over time), your The insurance company may not cover your claim or workmanship exclusion due to insufficient maintenance.
• Damage caused by natural flooding: Homeowners insurance does not cover damage caused by flooding, even if the flooding was caused by snow, ice or any other covered peril. If you live in an area prone to rapid snowmelt and flooding during the winter, check to see if your home insurance company offers additional coverage for flood damage or consider purchasing a separate policy flood insurance The policy is fully guaranteed.

How to protect your home from winter storms

The best way to avoid winter storm damage and the extensive (and expensive) claims process that comes with it is to make sure your home is fully prepared to withstand the winter elements. Here are some tips for protecting your home during the long winter months:

• Clear your gutters of leaves, twigs and other debris that can trap water and cause ice clogs when the weather gets cold.
• Prune trees and branches that are particularly susceptible to falling and causing damage during freezes.
• Additional insulation will need to be added in basements, crawl spaces, or anywhere else where pipes may be exposed and susceptible to freezing.
• Consider installing an emergency pressure relief valve in your pipes that automatically activates when the pressure within the pipe reaches a certain level, limiting the possibility of a water pipe burst.

You should also consider reviewing your policy to see if there are any coverage gaps worth addressing before winter storm season. A home insurance coverage endorsement like water backup coverage is a relatively inexpensive add-on that can cover the cost of cleanup and repair if extreme snowmelt or precipitation causes your home’s sewer or sump pump to back up. Equipment failure coverage We compensate you when your home systems or appliances suffer unexpected mechanical or electrical damage.

bottom line

Homeowners insurance typically covers most winter storm damage, including wind, roof collapse, frozen pipes, and water or mold damage, as long as the damage is not caused by neglect, wear and tear, or exclusion from hazards such as flooding. To ensure a quick, successful storm damage claim, maintain your home by insulating pipes, cleaning gutters, trimming trees, and addressing existing damage, and automatically assume you’ll be covered.