Make it a Winter Free of Insurance Headaches

With winter already making an impact on a number of areas of the country, consumers will want to be sure that they have the proper homeowners’ insurance plan in place to prevent financial disasters.

As the Insurance Information Institute (I.I.I.) points out, a number of winter-related disasters can be averted by taking a few simple means to protect your residence from freezing temperatures, wind and snow.

According to a spokesperson for the I.I.I., standard homeowners’ policies provide protection for winter-related issues like wind damage, burst pipes, fire-related losses and more. Coverage for flooding can be purchased through the National Flood Insurance Program and from a number of private insurers. Winter-related damage to cars is typically covered through the comprehensive portion of an auto insurance plan.

As the I.I.I. points out, melting snow can produce major damage to a property, as winter storms are the third leading cause of catastrophe losses.

According to the I.I.I., winter storms resulted in 7.4 percent of catastrophe losses across the country from 1990 to 2009, or an average of $1.25 billion per year (in 2009 dollars) with the average homeowners’ insurance claim for water damage and freezing being $5,896.

The Farmers’ Almanac reports that the “eastern third of the country, (New England down to Florida and as far west as the lower Ohio River and Mississippi River Valley), will experience colder-than-normal winter temperatures. Across New England, where relatively balmy temperatures prevailed during the winter of 2009-2010, the upcoming winter will be the equivalent of a cold slap in the face, as we forecast much colder-than-normal temperatures.”

In order to increase your chances of avoiding a winter weather issue in your residence, I.I.I. reminds consumers of several tips:

First, trim trees and remove dead branches, as ice, snow and wind could lead to weak trees or branches that could break and damage your home or car. They also can fall and injure someone who is walking by your property.

Also be sure to fix steps and handrails, thereby potentially preventing someone from falling and seriously injuring themselves.

Individuals should also keep the home warm, setting the thermostat for at minimum 65 degrees. Substantially lower temperatures could lead to frozen pipes. It is also important to add extra insulation for attics, basements and crawl spots. Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will also assist in protecting pipes from freezing.

Also make it point to have fire and smoke alarms working properly. This is very important due to the fact residential fires go up in the winter. Consumers should also look to install a carbon dioxide detector, given that a well sealed home can trap in toxic gas.

Residents should also have a licensed contractor search for structural damage. In the event damage is found, repair it now before a problem can occur. It is also a good idea to inquire on ways to prevent water damage resulting from snow-related flooding. <./p>

Finally, in the event you are going to be gone for a substantial period of time, put in place several winter weather-related precautions.

First, make sure the water is off. Second, have a friend or relative check on your home so that if there is an issue, it can be taken care of quickly. This will also lessen the chance of your home being robbed.

Having the right homeowners’ insurance in place will present less problems as you shiver through the winter.