Winter is almost here, and that means there could be a lot of snow, ice, sleet, and so on. So, with the coldest season of the year just around the corner, you might be wondering about your house. What if something happens to your home in the frigid winter months? You would probably want to get your home fixed as quickly as possible. So, you might turn to your home insurance. But what sort of losses are covered by home insurance? We’ll explore a couple different ways that home insurance could protect you this winter.
Winter losses that may be covered by home insurance.
First of all, we have to say that you really need to read your insurance policy to see what losses are covered and how they’re covered. You need to go over your coverage to see what your particular policy will do if you encounter a home insurance claim. Make sure you know what perils your insurance will protect you from.
1. Fire.
During the winter, we want to have a lot of heat in the home. But what if you’re in the middle of cooking a delicious holiday dinner when a house fire breaks out? Or what if some sort of mishap happens and a fire just…starts? You’d need to get your home repaired. Your home insurance may help you cover the damage from the fire.
(This is why it’s important that you have enough insurance – meaning that you need to insure your home for its replacement cost. This can cover the costs of rebuilding your home from the ground up, taking into account the costs of building materials and the contractors.)
2. Weight of ice, snow, or sleet.
If your home is damaged because of the weight of all that winter snow, your home insurance could help you cover it. Though it might look harmless as it floats gracefully from the sky, snow is heavy when it collects on a surface. Snow is inevitable in winter in certain parts of the country, so it’s important to make sure that your home insurance is prepared. Check to see if the weight of snow, sleet, or ice is covered.
Protect your home from fires. Get a quick homeowners insurance quote today.
3. Frozen pipes.
So, winter can bring sub-freezing temperatures, of course. What happens if the weather causes your pipes to freeze, leading to some major headaches? Well, your home insurance could cover the damage caused by the frozen and subsequently burst pipes, unless you didn’t keep a proper temperature in the home in an attempt to prevent the pipes from freezing in the first place. Or if you didn’t fulfill other conditions of your coverage. So, if you’ve kept your home at an appropriate temperature and have met the conditions of the policy, you may be covered by home insurance for those frozen pipes. (Check your policy for details.)
4. Theft.
So the holidays are a time of gift-giving and presents, but what if your house is broken into? If your home is burgled and someone steals your belongings, your home insurance may cover it. Note that it’s important to insure your belongings for their replacement cost value. This can allow you to replace your belongings at today’s prices.
5. Windstorms/hail.
If your home falls prey to a windstorm or hail, your home insurance may help cover you. There are different ways that windstorms can damage your home, but home insurance can help you if the wind blows a hole in the roof…and then lets water, sleet, or snow get into your home. So, that could come in handy!
6. Falling trees and such.
If a tree blows over and crash-lands into your home, your insurance could help you pay to cover the damage. Winter can come with some fierce storms, and you never know when a tree branch – or an entire tree – could fall into your house. Keep in mind that if your neighbor’s tree falls into your house, it’s still your home insurance that would have to take care of it – not your neighbor’s. (But on the flip-side, if your tree falls into your neighbor’s house…you’re kind of off the hook because their insurance would have to cover it.)
Don’t forget about your deductible.
Your home insurance probably comes with something called with a deductible. The deductible is the amount you agree to pay if you have a claim. For example, let’s say there’s a situation and you end up with $3,000 of damage to your house. It’s a covered loss, so insurance will help out. But you have a $500 deductible. That means you’d pay $500 and the insurance company would pay $2,500. Just a head’s up so you don’t feel caught off-guard!
Home insurance can be a real life-saver. Don’t underestimate how home insurance can function like a safety-net in case something goes wrong, especially in those cold winter months. Stay safe this winter, and don’t forget to read over your policy!
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