Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Ice Storms

Depending on where you live, winter weather can bring bitterly cold temperatures, blustery winds and large amounts of snow—all of which can be hazardous to your home. But maybe the most damaging winter hazard is ice. Does homeowners insurance cover ice storms? We’ll do our best to explain.

What is covered

The ice that results from winter storms can damage your home in a number of ways. For example, ice can build up on your roof and lead to the formation of ice dams, which can prevent melting snow from draining properly. As a result, the water can leak into your roof and damage your ceilings, insulation and walls.

How do you know if your home insurance covers ice-related damage?

As a general rule, a standard homeowners insurance policy will cover a loss if it cannot be prevented, or if it occurs suddenly and accidentally. For example, if a tree branch weighted down by ice and snow suddenly falls and punctures a hole in your roof, the damage will most likely be covered.

The dwelling coverage of your homeowners policy may also cover the cost to repair damage caused by ice dams and frozen pipes.

You could also be covered if a guest injures themselves on your icy driveway. If you were found responsible, your personal liability insurance could cover their medical bills and any lost wages. Even if you weren’t responsible, your medical payments insurance could cover costs related to their injuries.

What is not covered

Generally speaking, home insurance policies won’t cover losses that are due to preventable causes, such as poor maintenance or neglect on the homeowner’s part. The thinking is that you could have taken steps to prevent the problem from happening in the first place.

When it comes to personal liability and medical payments insurance, you will only be covered if the accident happens to someone else. These coverages will not cover costs related to your injuries, or the injuries of others who are insured under your policy.

Who determines if the cause was preventable or not?

After you submit a home insurance claim, an insurance adjuster will carefully examine the facts of the loss, as well as your homeowners insurance policy. Based on their investigation of the damage—and what caused it—they can determine if you are covered or not. 

It’s worth noting that your homeowners insurance carrier can deny your claim even if the cause of the damage isn’t obvious. They might do this if they determine you could have done more to prevent the damage before it developed.

How to avoid ice dams

An ice dam is a ridge of ice at the edge of your roof that prevents melting snow from draining properly. Ice dams usually form when a heavy snowfall is followed by a period of freezing temperatures. If an ice dam gets big enough, the water can back up into your home and cause severe damage.

Prevention tips

Fortunately, there are ways to prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Some of these tasks are potentially dangerous, so your best option is to hire a professional.

• Clean your gutters – Remove debris from your gutters before the first snowfall. This will help prevent ice buildup. Make sure your downspouts are working properly too.
• Insulate your attic – The goal is to keep the underside of your roof the same temperature as the outside air. Make sure your attic is properly insulated so warm air from below doesn’t reach the attic. You may need to seal some leaks, especially around air ducts.
• Ensure proper ventilation – Houses with good attic ventilation are less likely to experience ice dams. Good air flow helps keep the temperature cold and may help prevent snow on the roof from melting.
• Remove the snow – After a snowstorm, use a telescoping roof rake to brush the snow off the edge of your roof.

How to avoid frozen pipes

Exposure to cold winter air can cause your pipes to freeze, blocking the flow of water. Even worse, a frozen pipe can burst, causing severe damage to your home. Luckily, there are some things you can do to prevent pipes from freezing:

How to avoid slips and falls

The best way to avoid slips and falls on your property is to make sure your driveway, the steps leading to your home, and any outdoor walking paths are clear of snow and ice. You should be able to handle the stairs and walkways easily enough. If you have a large driveway, you may want to use a snow blower or hire a plow to remove the snow.

Here are some helpful tips:

Winter weather essentials

It’s important to prepare for snowstorms and other winter emergencies the same way you’d prepare for a hurricane. Here are some things to stock up on:

A roaring blaze is a great way to stay warm if the power goes out this winter. If you have a fireplace, keep a decent supply of chopped wood and fire-starters on hand. Also, make sure your fireplace is properly vented so smoke and fumes can easily flow outside.