Understanding Insurance Policies

Posted on: 18 November 2018

If you own your home, you need to take steps to prevent insurance claims this winter. Winter weather can wreak havoc on your home and cause serious damage. Unfortunately, each claim you file for property damage can lead to increased premiums on your homeowner's insurance policy. The best way to avoid winter damage, insurance claims and the accompanying premium increases, is to take precautions to safeguard your home. Here are four steps you can take to avoid winter claims on your homeowner's insurance.

Protect Your Roof

Winter can destroy your roof, especially when it comes to snow, ice, and wind. To protect your roof this winter, there are a few steps you need to take. First, begin the winter with a full roof inspection. Replace any missing or damaged shingles and make sure the flashing in in good shape. Next, apply a roof sealant to prevent leaks. Finally, remove snow before you develop a heavy snowpack. Snowpacks can cause your roof to collapse.

Insulate Your Pipes

During the winter, your pipes are at risk for rupture, especially if you don't have them properly insulated. To prevent ruptured pipes and the floods that follow, be sure to insulate your pipes before the first winter freeze arrives. To insulate the pipes under your sinks, wrap them in newspaper, towels, or pieces of leftover pool noodles. You can do the same for your exterior pipes and faucets. For those hard-to-reach pipes in your attic, apply spray foam insulation. The insulation will harden to provide a protective sleeve around your pipes.

Prune Your Trees

Trees can lead to a couple of different types of insurance claims during the winter. First, they can collapse on your home under the weight of the snow, or from soil saturation after heavy rains. Second, heavy limbs can fall on people as they pass beneath your trees. The second type of claim can also lead to personal injury lawsuits. To protect yourself, your home, and your guests, have your trees pruned before the cold weather settles in.

Prevent Ice Dams

If you have gutters on your home, and you're expecting to be hit with freezing temperatures this winter, now's the time to take action to prevent damage caused by ice dams. Ice dams can lead to flooding and can also cause damage to your roof and eaves. To avoid insurance claims related to ice dams begin by cleaning your gutters. Free-flowing gutters will prevent water from lingering long enough to freeze. Also, it's a good idea to install heating cable along the edge of your roof.

For more information, contact a company like Accurate Insurance Services today.