Winter Storm Preparation: Keeping Safe While Preventing Winter Homeowner’s Claims

frozen pipes

Every year, we think we’re going to get through the winter without a devastating snowstorm. And every year, we’re wrong! Even here in temperate South Carolina, winter storms can devastate communities and contribute to the millions of dollars in homeowners insurance claims each year.

Though you can’t control the weather, you can do things to protect your home from damage during winter storms by taking steps to prepare before bad weather hits. Protecting your family during an arctic blast is about more than stocking up on milk and toilet paper. It means making sure you’re doing all you can to keep your home, your belongings, and your family’s future safe.

These three winter storm preparedness tips can help you get proactive to protect your home – and save you from possibly filing a homeowners insurance claim during the next winter storm.

  1. Assess your trees 

Falling trees and limbs are one of the biggest sources of winter storm damage. From knocking out power lines to falling through roofs and causing traffic accidents, ice-packed limbs make gorgeous trees into dangerous weapons during the winter.

Assess the trees on your property. Do you have any that look particularly weak or leaning? Are there trees close enough to your home, garage, outbuildings and carport that could damage something if they fell? This can be a lot to figure out for the average homeowner, so you may want to contact an arborist. Securing the trees on your property is one of the most important things you can do to protect your property and avoid a homeowners insurance claim related to a winter storm.

  1. Protect your pipes 

Frozen pipes can be a costly business. If you want to avoid the hassle of filing a homeowners claim for a flooded basement or yard, wrap your pipes with insulation before a winter storm hits. That includes outside faucets, pipes in a cold basement or attic, and garden water features. If you’re able, cut the water off to faucets and garden fixtures and drain any that remains in the pipes before the cold weather hits.

If the temperature drops below freezing for long, you may also want to keep your water faucets dripping just slightly so they won’t freeze and burst. A few simple steps can save you from days without water and a claim on your homeowners insurance.

  1. Check your heaters 

In the event of a winter storm knocking out the power at your home, you may use kerosene space heaters to fill the gap until the power turns back on. This can be a good idea but use caution. Space heaters are notorious for starting fires, especially if left near flammable materials like curtains. Before a winter storm hits, check any available space heaters for defects or cracks, and go over proper space heater safety with the members of your household. Make sure to check the functionality of your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms, as well.

Make sure your insurance is ready for the next winter storm – Call us today! 

Winter homeowners claims happen! Edwards Insurance Agency in Taylors, S.C. has helped thousands of South Carolina homeowners protect their homes from the dangers of winter storms. We’ll help you make sure you’ve got the right coverage so you can have peace of mind no matter how crazy the weather gets.