Winter means snow and ice in many parts of the United States. For homeowners, a lot of headaches can be caused by ice. If you live in an area where your home may be susceptible to ice damage, cover damages and repair costs with insurance.
Insurance claims for ice damage, freezing, or water damage are filed by one in every 50 insured homes, according to the Insurance Information Institute. There are a number of things to keep in mind when it comes to covering ice-related damage, where the typical homeowners insurance policy is concerned.
First and foremost, examine where in the country you live and possible inadequacies in your insurance policy coverage if any. How do you know if inadequacies exist? Here are some ways in which insurance can help protect your home against ice damage. If in any of these areas, you’re not covered, you probably should be.
Ice Dams
Melted water may be stopped from running off of your roof when, at the edge of your roof, ice forms, creating an ice dam. Against the ice dam, water gets backed up and can cause water damage because it leaks through the roof. To help with repair costs from ice dam damage, dwelling coverage should be in place. If the ice dam causes damage to your personal belongings, protection may not be provided by personal property coverage.
Roof Collapse
Serious problems can be caused by ice forming on your roof during the coldest months of the year. When ice and snow buildup get to be too much for your roof, it may collapse from the weight. If your roof is destroyed or damaged by a collapse, repairing or replacing it should be at least partially covered by your insurance.
While your home is being repaired, hotel bills and other living expense increases may also be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy’s additional living expense coverage, if you have it.
As necessary, clear off ice and snow from your roof, keep gutters clean and free-flowing, and take other preventative measures as needed.
Hail Damage
Windows and roofs can be seriously damaged by hail. Including ice-related losses such as hail, specific perils may be covered by your homeowner’s insurance if it includes dwelling coverage. Specified within your policy you will find the limits to how much damage repair is covered.
Other types of structure coverage may help with repairs if the hail damage occurs on an unattached garage, shed, or some other unit that is not lived in.
Ice-Related Injuries
Let’s say someone slips on the ice outside your home and sustains significant injuries.
Where your homeowner’s insurance policy is concerned, typically, this is where liability coverage comes in. Of course, conditions and limits apply to liability coverage just like every other type of coverage. Additional protection can be offered by a personal umbrella policy. Your insurance agent will be able to help you decide as to whether this is a good idea for your circumstances.
Frozen Pipes
If your home is damaged from frozen pipes, leaking, or burst pipes, damage may be covered, at least in part, by homeowners insurance. If, however, inside the house, the proper temperature wasn’t maintained, those frozen pipes and the damage caused by them may not be covered.
Protect Your Family, Your Home, and Your Assets with Help from K&N Insurance Brokerage
We, at K&N Insurance Brokerage, can help you find condo insurance, renters, homeowners insurance, automobile, boat, motorcycle insurance, and more. All of these will help protect you, your belongings, and your family against whatever may come along – regardless of what Mother Nature has in store.
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