- Division of Insurance
Cold conditions can increase the risk of damage to your home’s roof, interior, and plumbing, as well your liability risk due to slips and falls. As Massachusetts continues to experience winter weather, the Division of Insurance offers the following tips to help protect your home from an insurance claim:
Snow and ice accumulation can snap tree branches that could fall onto your home, causing structural damage.
- Cut branches that are dead, dying, diseased, or broken. Make sure there aren't any tree limbs hanging over your home or cars.
- Consider the last time your roof was inspected by a professional
- Use a long-handled “roof rake” to remove snow from your roof.
Ice dams form when heavy snow melts and refreezes. Ice dams can damage roofs, and melting ice can leak and cause indoor water damage.
- Clear debris, like leaves and sticks, from gutters and downspouts to help water flow.
- Install gutter guards to prevent debris build-up.
- Have a professional evaluation of the insulation and ventilation in your home.
Pipes can freeze and burst during cold temperatures.
- Interior and exterior pipes, such as irrigation lines and garden hoses still attached to the home, are at risk. Detach garden hoses and irrigation lines from your home.
- Seal leaks or cracks around pipes.
- To protect interior pipes, consider leaving your faucet running with a slight drip and opening the cabinet doors under your sinks. This allows water to keep moving through interior pipes, reducing the chances of freezing and allowing warm air to circulate around your plumbing lines.
Maintain your Heating System
- Have your furnace or boiler serviced before winter starts.
- Replace air filters regularly.
- Check for drafts around doors and windows and seal them with weatherstripping or caulk.
Keep Walkways and Driveways Clear
- Shovel snow regularly and apply salt or sand to prevent ice buildup.
- Use non-slip mats near entryways to help prevent falls.
There is never a bad time to review your insurance coverage to make sure damage from winter weather is covered. Homeowners looking for more guidance on how to protect their home can also check out these tips from the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).
