Does Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Snow Damage?

Having homeowner’s insurance is important and it possesses many benefits. We all know that we need to have homeowner’s insurance, but a good amount of home owners have it simply because they were told they need it and are unsure of their policy’s benefits. Residents of the North East know that we will get snow, and the amount we are capable of getting. Large amounts of snow can do damage to any home, especially when it gets heavy, or begins to melt. Many home owners may not know that their homeowner’s insurance can in fact cover damages caused by snow.
I’m sure there has been a time when homeowners have thought, does my homeowner’s insurance cover snow damage? Most standard homeowner’s insurance policies do cover “winter weather storm damage” such as wind, snow, ice, and any damage caused by excessively cold temperatures.
One thing to take note of is that if snow does not touch the ground, any potential damage from that would be covered. For example, if melted snow on the ground were to get into your basement and cause water related damage this would actually not be covered by your homeowner’s insurance. This type of situation would be considered flood damage, and you would need to have flood insurance in order to cover damages. Although you would think that snow flooding would be covered as winter storm damage, it’s not.
Are you currently a homeowner in need of flood insurance? Let your friends at Ion Insurance help you choose the right plan for you.
If you own a second home that might see snow this winter, there are multiple precautions you need to take in order to be covered for any winter weather related damage. You need to properly winterize your home if you are not going to be there. This entails shutting off your water and draining your pipes to prevent them from freezing. It would be a great idea to ask your homeowner’s insurance provider if your home would be covered if it is unoccupied for a period longer than 30 days.
A few tips for protecting your home and preparing for the snow include:

• Cleaning out your gutters to allow melted snow to flow freely
• Inspect your roof and shingles for any ways water may get in, and make any necessary repairs
• Shovel snow away from your home to prevent water from getting inside when it melts, if possible
• Get as much snow off your roof as possible by using a roof rake to prevent roof damage
• Drain any faucets that may lead outside your house, and remove any garden hoses

As winter creeps closer, we all know that getting hit with snow here in Connecticut is inevitable, and we need to prepare accordingly. Having the peace of mind that if your home were to get damaged due to snow, your homeowner’s insurance will cover you in most instances. There are numerous ways you can prevent your home from facing winter storm related damage, but if something were to happen, you know you will be covered.
If you are unsure if your homeowner’s insurance covers winter storm damage, contact the professionals at Ion Insurance to discuss your policy today.