Important Personal Insurance Coverage To Have In Winter
by Sumona Insurance 30 November 2022
The arrival of winter brings with it a host of weather-related dangers that may affect our lives and our property. Being prepared for whatever the winter throws at you financially by familiarizing yourself with typical winter claims and insurance plans may offer you peace of mind.
There are losses each year due to cold weather, which are likely larger than estimated since many homes are underinsured or uninsured; and even the insured ones have deductibles to satisfy. Moreover, the risks covered by a conventional home insurance policy may not be sufficient.
It is essential to appropriately prepare your property and get the coverage you need to safeguard it financially if you reside in a region that experiences severe weather conditions. Get familiar with your insurance policy’s coverage and take precautions against winter’s coldest days with these helpful tips.
Insuring Your Vehicle
As the colder weather approaches, now is a good time to review your auto insurance coverage. Consider any new hazards that may arise this winter and if your insurance policy needs to be adjusted to account for them.
Do you have a car that you store away until spring? Reducing coverage on a car while it is stored for the winter might save you hundreds of dollars. You may save money on insurance premiums while your car is in storage by dropping down to comprehensive coverage alone to protect it against natural disasters, fire, theft, and vandalism.
The other side of this is that if you plan on traveling in the winter, you should think about purchasing additional coverage such as comprehensive and/or collision insurance. Your winter risk level highly depends on where you live. If you reside in an area with severe winters like Ontario, Canada, for instance, it is in your best interest to learn more about various types of car insurance and get a reasonable quote, as well as learn how to prevent costly repairs during the colder season.
Traveling to see relatives in foreign areas during the winter is risky because of the road’s hazardous conditions, the shorter days’ worth of daylight, and the potential for language barriers. It might be time to get additional insurance. If you slide on ice and get bodily injuries, collision insurance will cover your medical bills and comprehensive insurance will cover any damage to your car caused by bad weather.
Home Insurance Claims
You will need to check whether you have enough homeowner’s insurance to protect your house in the case of a disaster.
Before the harsh winter sets in, make sure your homeowner’s insurance is enough to protect your property and finances from disasters such as fire, theft, vandalism, and other forms of physical damage.
You may also prevent the need for submitting claims on your homeowner’s insurance by taking some preventative measures. During the colder months, homeowners often file claims for things like:
Burst or Frozen Pipes
Pipes may freeze and break in very cold weather, releasing gallons of water all over your home. Every year, frozen pipes are responsible for the filing of a claim in one out of every sixty insured residences. You must take reasonable precautions to cover water damage.
Fallen Trees and Branches
The majority of winter damage is caused by broken branches and tree limbs that have fallen from the heavy snow. They are capable of causing substantial structural damage to your house as well as other properties, and the cost to repair this damage might be in the hundreds of dollars.
Ice Damns
When temperatures remain low for an extended period of time, ice dams develop at the roof’s edge. When temperatures drop, the snow that has been melting is refrozen by the ice blocks. Ice dams cause ice to build beneath your roof shingles, leading to water damage, mildew, and leaks inside your house. Ice shingles may even peel off your gutter.
House Fires
Fires started by decorations in residential structures cost an estimated $13 million in direct property damage between 2015 and 2019, whereas fires started by candles cost an estimated $291 million each year. If you want to protect your house and belongings from fire and other costs, it’s important to have enough insurance.
Final Thoughts
Insurance claims spike in the winter months and the risks posed by the cold and the effects of severe winter storms are a major reason why.
It is crucial to know how to prevent winter insurance claims, since they may be triggered by anything from a vehicle sliding on ice and snow to a tree falling on a house.
The aforementioned advice on vehicle and home insurance can help you save money and stay protected against any financial loss.
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