The weather turns cold and with that comes the risk of ice and snow.
Winter conditions can lead to damage from falling trees or branches, burst pipes, ice dams on your roof, cracks in your home’s foundation, car accidents, etc Some of these losses may be covered by your insurance policy and some may not.
Before your home, vehicle, or property is damaged by storms and winter weather, Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation recommends calling your insurance company or agent to make sure you have the right types and amounts of coverage.
You can also take steps to prevent losses from occurring in the first place. You can:
- Inspect and maintain your foundation, gutters and roof
- Insulate and maintain water pipes
- Monitor tree health and trim as needed
- Prepare your vehicle for winter driving
If your home or vehicle is damaged in a storm, call your insurance company or agent to find out about your policy’s coverages, exclusions and deductibles before filing a claim.
Before filing a claim, it is important to know if the amount of your loss is worth the effect that filing a claim may have on your premium rates. It may be better to handle the repairs yourself, if the loss is below or close to your deductible.
Owners
A typical home insurance policy covers damage to the home caused by falling trees or branches and the weight of ice and snow. If your home has suffered minor damage, such as the wind blowing a few shingles off your house, your home insurance will likely replace the damaged shingles, but not the entire roof.
Winter storms can also create sudden damage from an ice dam on the roof or pipes bursting due to freezing. This type of damage is usually covered and can be major – if a pipe bursts and floods a home – or minor, like a leak from an ice dam causing a stain on a ceiling.
If your home has suffered severe structural damage from a fallen tree or other storm debris, and is deemed uninhabitable, and your policy has coverage of additional living expenses, this can help cover the extra costs of accommodation, meals, and even pet boarding while you can’t live in the house. Those with tenant insurance can also take advantage of this coverage.
If your home lost power and suffered only minor damage, it will likely still be considered safe, so additional living expenses may not apply. Check with your insurance agent or provider to confirm your coverage.
Cover may be available for food spoilage due to power failure. If you need to file a claim for another type of damage to your home, food spoilage can usually be added to the claim you need to file for repairs.
Auto
There are three coverage options on an auto insurance policy that generally apply to winter storms:
- Complete covers damage caused by falling trees or branches. This includes when your vehicle is parked in a garage. Home insurance excludes coverage for vehicles, even when they are parked inside your garage.
- Collision covers damage to your vehicle while driving. This includes hitting storm debris or slipping on ice.
- Responsibility covers damage you accidentally cause to other people’s property or to someone injured in an accident.
Again, if the cost to repair your vehicle is below or close to your deductible, you may not want to file a claim.
Remember, you want to make sure you have the right types and amounts of coverage and take steps to reduce your risk. Check with your insurance agent or insurance company to determine your policy’s coverages, exclusions and deductibles.
If you still have questions or concerns, the division’s consumer advocates are here to help. You can contact the division attorneys in three ways:
Visit the division storm insurance resource page for more information.
Source: Oregon Department of Consumer and Business Services