Winter in Maryland brings its own unique challenges to homeowners throughout the state. Whether it be snow, wind, or ice, the weather in the winter months can cause major problems for many homeowners. Fortunately, many of the issues that arise are covered by homeowner’s insurance. Let’s look at the most common homeowners insurance claims during the winter months.
Environmental Damage
Some of the most common insurance claims during the winter involve damage to the house or cars on the property during the event of a snowstorm. Snow and ice can weigh down branches and cause them to fall on the house, car, shed, etc. This type of damage can be a huge inconvenience, so having a good home insurance plan that can quickly help you get them resolved is important. In addition to branches causing damage, excessive amounts of snow and ice can cause roof damage and, in extreme cases, collapse.
Freezing Damage
Burst pipes are another very common issue during the cold winter months here in Maryland. Frozen pipes in homes that aren’t properly winterized can cause a ton of damage to the interior of the home. Not only will the pipes need to be repaired and/or replaced, but in many cases so will the floors, and ceilings depending on where the burst occurred. Even the most careful homeowners who winterize their house properly are at risk for burst pipes if their home isn’t insulated well.
Fire Damage
Finally, fire claims are common in the winter because of the use of fireplaces and woodstoves in the winter months for warmth. In addition to fireplaces and stoves, space heaters can pose a major risk, as well as heated blankets, especially with older heaters and blankets. Christmas trees also pose a fire risk in many cases, especially if they aren’t properly watered and cared for, and contribute to a significant amount of home fires each year.
Homeowners’ insurance is an essential part of owning a home, and during the winter months especially you need good coverage to ensure you and your family stay safe and happy all winter long. At Freedom Insurance we offer homeowners’ insurance in Carroll County, MD and we’d love to discuss your specific needs with you so we can help you find the perfect policy for your home. If you are in the market for homeowners’ insurance or are looking to change policies, give us a call today!
