Tips for avoiding winter insurance claims

In the Midwest, snow, ice, and freezing temperatures can cause substantial damage to property, totaling in billions of dollars of insurance claims each year. Here are ways you can avoid pricey claims on your home during the winter months.

  • Set the temperature in your home to at least 65 degrees. Keeping your temperature at 65 degrees or above will help prevent pipes from freezing and cracking.
  • Inspect your roof. Check your roof for cracks and missing shingles that may be a result of the weather. These cracks cause water damage, and a heavy snow fall could damage your roof.
  • Secure your outdoor furniture. Keep your outdoor furniture in a safe place to avoid snow damage. Stray furniture can also cause damage to your home in increased winds.
  • Make sure your home is insulated properly. Ventilate your attic so the outside air can’t enter your home. Check your walls and any cracks in your home to make sure no warm air is escaping.
  • Check your furnace and boiler system. Checking your heating system and its filters will help prevent fires once you begin running your heat regularly.
  • Regularly clean the space behind your dryer to avoid starting a fire. The dry and cold weather in the winter causes static electricity. Cleaning out the lint and dust from behind your dryer will help prevent sparking a fire.
  • Salt your driveway to prevent slips and falls. Remember to salt your driveway and sidewalks to prevent someone from getting injured on your property. While a standard home insurance policy covers injury from falling to a certain dollar amount, if the injury exceeds your policy’s coverage, it could leave you open to a lawsuit.

Sources:

Propertycasulty360

Insurance.com