Escalating storms can very quickly turn the peacefulness of winter wonderlands into a homeowner’s nightmare, leaving many to wonder if their homeowners insurance will protect them.

The answer is likely yes for direct damage the storms might cause. That means damage from trees falling or roofs collapsing because of accumulated snow or a blizzard’s winds. Pipes that freeze and burst due to weather-related causes are probably covered, too.

What your policy won’t protect you against is damages where your insurer believes that homeowner negligence – or failure in standard maintenance – was a factor in the incident. Here are some weather-related issues that may be denied coverage:

  • Freezing temperatures can freeze your pipes, which can break in thawing. If your insurer puts it down to your neglect for turning the heat off or not draining the pipes, you may be paying the costs from your own pocket.
  • The weight of snow and ice can cause trees to fall and their limbs to break and cause damage. If you knew there was a potential issue – say the tree was diseased – but did nothing in advance, you could be held liable.
  • If melting snow seeps through a roof that the insurance adjuster judges was poorly maintained or improperly built, repairing the damages is your responsibility.
  • And, in some locations, laws stipulate a timeframe for snow and ice removal from sidewalks. If you don’t clear them in a timely manner, you are putting yourself at risk for thawing water damage.

A big risk is damage caused by flooding. It’s common in regions that are prone to severe winter weather followed by warmer breaks and won’t be covered by your homeowners policy. Pipes can freeze and break, drainage systems freeze and flood and septic systems can back up, too, pushing raw sewage up from your drains. If these sorts of issues are common where you live, consider flood insurance as an additional investment on top of your homeowners policy.

With promises of snow, sleet, ice and polar vortexes as the winter storm season approaches, knowing the reach of your homeowners policy for potential damages will help you emerge whole – and ready to tackle summer!

If you would like to speak with one of our experts about your home insurance needs, you can contact HUB today. Additionally, you can easily quote and compare multiple property insurance options online here.