Will Homeowner’s Insurance Cover Winter Storm Damage?

1/10/2017 (Permalink)

As with any insurance claim, call the claims department immediately and take photos of the damage.

All policies vary so please read the specific coverages, terms, provisions, exclusions, and conditions of your policy itself.  However, here are some typical coverages of homeowner’s insurance relating to winter storm damage:

 Ice Dam Insurance Coverage

Very few insurance policies cover ice dam or snow removal from your roof or anywhere else on your property for that matter. However, interior or exterior damage caused by an ice dam on your roof is typically covered. As with any insurance claim, call the claims department immediately and take photos of the damage.

Frozen Pipes Insurance Coverage

Not all companies pay to have frozen pipes thawed by professionals, though some will. Most policies cover pipe replacement and water damage. The coverage may not apply if you turned the furnace off for the winter without winterizing the house and its contents.

Interruption of Services

If you lose power during a storm, an all-risk homeowner’s policy usually pays for spoiled food, repairs to damage caused by loss of power, and appliances damaged by the outage. Many policies also will pay for shelter when you lose power for extended periods during the winter. If you lose heat and fail to take steps to prevent pipes from freezing, your policy may not cover the resulting damage.