Tips on Preparing for a Winter Storm

Whether you’ve lived in Southeastern Massachusetts for a few months or several years, you know that heavy snowfall is a very real threat to homeowners, renters and condo dwellers alike, as it can often lead to a damaged roof, ice dams, downed trees, and street flooding, just to highlight a few. Which is why taking the time to prepare and protect your home before catching wind of an incoming storm is key.

Every Fall, Carol, with the help of her family, does her best to tick off as many, if not all, of the following to-dos in preparation for the unpredictable New England winter months.

• Thoroughly inspect all exposed pipes for possible signs of cracks and leaks
• Make sure that all piping is adequately insulated and that outside water sources are shut off
• Remove fallen leaves and excess debris from gutters
• Bring all toys and small outdoor furniture inside. As for larger items, such as benches, tables or metal firepits, tie them down to make sure they stay put during periods of strong winds.

While a standard homeowners insurance policy may provide protection against a variety of weather-related events, your property must be considered “properly maintained” by your insurance provider in order to receive payment on a claim involving weather. Which is why tackling simple home repairs prior to the winter may mean the difference between receiving a check from your carrier and being left footing the bill for some pretty hefty repairs.

Severe winter storms can bring with it whipping winds, heavy snowfall, ice, and freezing temperatures, all of which can wreak havoc on your property and sometimes even leave you without heat and electricity. That’s why it’s important for you and your family to prepare for the worst case scenario. Stacy recommends you consider buying and storing, in a waterproof container, the following household items to be used in case of an emergency:

According to the Insurance Information Institute, extreme winter weather is the third-largest cause of covered damages after hurricanes and tornadoes, in fact, losses from snow, ice, frozen temperatures, and similar weather conditions averaged $1.2 billion annually over the past 20 years.

Frozen pipes are by far one of the most significant risks for New England homeowners, especially when the temperature drops below 20 degrees. Southeastern Massachusetts is no stranger to experiencing below freezing temperatures especially on a cold January night, which is why, Morse, of course, would encourage you to take the time to make sure that your pipes are properly protected, as frozen and burst pipes, can bring an onslaught of added expenses and unnecessary stress. The Institute of Business and Home Safety reports that a burst pipe can cost a homeowner on average $5,000 in damage.

Below are a few tips from Tim to help prevent your pipes from freezing:

• Set your thermostat to a warm and steady temperature day and night. This may make for a costlier heating bill, but it will still be significantly less than fixing or even replacing your home’s plumbing.
• When the weather is particularly cold outside, let the water drip from the faucets. Running water through the faucet – even a slight trickle – can help prevent pipes from freezing because the temperature of the running water is typically above freezing.
• Open all kitchen and bathroom cabinets to allow warm air to circulate around your exposed pipes.
• Shut off all outside water sources, including outdoor water features such as fountains, waterfalls, pools, showers, and sinks.
• If you have an underground sprinkler system in your yard, you’ll want to make sure that the system is drained and switched off before the winter to prevent freeze damage.

In the unfortunate event, your pipes do freeze, do your best to try and locate the frozen pipe. From there, you’ll want to turn the water on, warm the pipe using a hairdryer or heating pad, and call a licensed plumber. If you are unsure where the pipe has frozen, common places include pipes running against exterior walls or where your water service enters your home through the foundation. And should a pipe burst, immediately shut off the water at the main valve and call a plumber to assist you.

If you experience a loss and need to file a claim this winter, of course, the team at Morse is here to assist you through the entire process, as well as answer any claims related questions you may have.

No matter what season it is, it is critical to know what your specific homeowners’ policy covers and what it does not, especially if you were to experience a loss at home. Because every insurance policy is different, we strongly encourage you to sit down with an experienced agent, like Morse, at least once a year to ensure you are protected from not only the harsh winter months but anything else that life may throw at you.

Every fall, Dan schedules a quick phone call with his trusted agent, so as soon as the winter weather hits he can worry less knowing that his family as well as his home, garage, car, lifestyle, and landscaping are all properly protected.

A standard homeowners policy may provide the financial coverage you need in the event of a covered weather event, but not always. For instance, if you were to experience a flood in your basement because over a foot of snow rapidly melted after a storm, any resulting damage to your home or your things, including furniture, family heirlooms, and clothing, would not be covered, unless you have a separate flood insurance policy in place.