One of the first questions you customers are surely asking themselves when picking a homeowners insurance policy is this: “Is winter storm damage covered?”
Snow damage from blizzards and other severe winter weather can be expensive, which is why it’s important to make sure they have all the information on how their specific homeowners insurance policy protects them, their family, and their investments.
If you need numbers to paint a clear picture of just how expensive we’re talking, average homeowner insurance claims can hit around $3,500 – or even higher, if we’re not just talking about a damaged roof.
The good news is, in most cases, your standard insurance policies do cover unavoidable winter storm damage that is caused by ice, snow, severe temperatures, wind, etc.
There is a catch, however.
If your customers have a mountain home that you only get to during the summer months or a condo in a ski town that they’re not visiting this year because of travel restrictions, damage that manifests when homes are left unattended is something that they should be prepared for.
The best way to do that is to encourage them to take the necessary steps to prevent winter damage from happening in the first place.
Here are a few ways everyone can take the first step in protecting their home from another harsh Colorado winter:
- Make sure to keep your gutters clean! Melting snow can escape easily this way, and you’ll avoid wet, heavy, weighed-down roofs and other snow-related damage.
- Drain the water from pipes that lead to faucets on the exterior of your home. While you’re at it, put away the garden hoses until spring.
- Trim the tree branches around your property and steer clear of damage due to fallen limbs. This includes awnings, outbuildings, and any other structures on your land.
- Make an appointment to have your heating system cleaned and checked out. You’ll want everything to be in working order before colder weather hits!
