While most of us enjoy the wonders of winter, snow and a white Christmas, it is safe to say that this past northeast winter was far from enjoyable. The first storm and flurries bring out the blankets, hot chocolate and warmth radiating from a crackling fire. It’s winter at its finest. At night the outside floodlights illuminate millions of snowflakes falling like teeny tiny feathers. These winter moments are enchanting New England. But after far too many enchanting snowfalls well into April, all you want is a day above 32 degrees, the snowstorms to cease and everything frozen to thaw – without flooding the interior. Our last winter the only aspect worse than the mental burden of our torrid weather, was the burden on homes, which endured quite a beating from Jack Frost. The spring and summer repairs have been constant in anticipation of winter’s return. Demand for construction couldn’t be higher.

Along with finding a suitable team to perform needed repairs, one must navigate the benefits derived from your property & casualty insurance coverage. Here are a few steps to help guide you through the homeowners claim process.

To start, review your homeowner’s insurance coverage to verify your coverage limits. Many of the standard homeowner’s insurance policies provide winter-related storm damage; but it is advisable to note which specific types of damage are covered (i.e. as a result of snow, ice, rain, temperature etc.) in your particular policy. Also, keep in mind that standard homeowners insurance doesn’t provide flood insurance; so in the case of winter related flooding, you will not be covered unless you have additional coverage. So, for story purposes, let’s say it’s late March and all of a sudden your roof partly collapses due to snow. What do you do?

1. Insurance policies place a time limit on filing claims. Determine the time limit on your policy. Ask questions: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?
2. Take reasonable steps to protect your property from further damage. Save receipts for your expenses to clean up the damage. Submit these receipts to your insurance company for reimbursement.
3. You need to substantiate your loss. Avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited your home. Consider taking photographs or videos of your property damage. Prepare a home inventory; make a copy for your adjuster and supply him or her with copies of receipts from damaged items.
4. If your home is severely damaged and you need to find other accommodations while in repair, keep records of all additional expenses incurred. Most homeowner’s insurance policies provide coverage for the “loss of use” of their home. However, many policies do NOT provide coverage for the additional living expense if a mandatory evacuation is ordered and there is no loss to your home.
5. Once your insurance company has been notified of your claim, the company is required to send the necessary claim forms to you by the end of a specified time period. (The time period varies from state to state.) Return the properly filled-out forms as soon as possible in order to avoid delays.
6. Your insurance company will arrange for the adjuster to come and inspect your home. Cooperate with them as they gather information. The adjuster cannot approve your claim, but the insurance company, in the determination of your claim, often uses their report.

The difficult part about homeowner’s claims is that there are politics and subtle policy tricks that can undermine your comfort, especially during an obvious time of distress. Returning to our example of the roof collapse, the last thing you want to worry about is not being covered due to small clauses. Some of these hidden clauses are exclusions for damages that result from a home not being properly winterized (e.g., not shutting off the water and draining the pipes) or a home being left unoccupied for a long period of time (e.g., more than 30 days). This nuance is especially important for retirees who escape to a warmer climate during the winter. Also be aware that your home insurance premiums may more than double after filing claims. Determine that your claim is well worth it and not just a relatively small fix (less than $5,000 in damages). A typical house files one claim every ten years; so in order to avoid higher rates, be mindful of your claim rate. While insurance is inherently necessary and beneficial to own, the best practice is to avoid any claims in the first place. Here are a few tips to help prepare your house for the coming winter season which is just around the corner.

• Clean your gutters and downspouts so that melting snow can flow freely away from your home
• Inspect and repair roof shingles and flashing to prevent water damage
• Trim tree branches on your property, particularly close to your home
• Apply weather stripping and caulking around doors and windows;
• Inspect storm doors and windows for broken glass
• Drain water from pipes leading to exterior faucets and remove garden hoses
• Insulate pipes that are susceptible to freezing
• Have your heating system cleaned and inspected Besides stocking the pantry with hot chocolate and marshmallows, prepare yourself mentally for the upcoming winter; before it arrives, strengthen your home base. The last thing you want to worry about is your home’s durability when the snow beckons you outdoors for snow angels, snow showing or catching snowflakes on your tongue.

Sources:

http://www.360financialliteracy.org/Topics/Insurance/General-Insurance-Topics/Is-winter-storm-damage-covered-by-my-homeowners-insurance-policy#sthash.iwWwEEix.dpuf

http://www.uphelp.org/pubs/claim-or-not-claim%E2%80%A6that-question-david-shaffer

http://homeownersinsuranceguide.flash.org/fileclaim.htm