Home insurance is important to have all year round. But it’s especially important to make sure you have it in the winter. The longer nights and colder weather can cause all sorts of problems. They range from icy paths to an increase in burglaries. Before you start doing your Christmas shopping, think about whether you need to set aside some money for your home insurance policy. It might be time to change to something more robust. It should be sure to protect you from the effects of the winter elements. You may also need to have some funds on hand for any small repairs you might need to do that your insurance won’t cover. If you’re feeling relaxed about your home insurance, here are some reasons you should rethink your position.
Darker Nights
The darker nights of winter can lead to a couple of problems. One of them is that break-ins are possibly more frequent in the winter months than in the rest of the year. There could also be more car thefts when the days get shorter. The statistics aren’t that clear on whether these are accepted facts. But you should still be concerned about the impact long nights have on crime. Many criminals operate under the cover of darkness. So it makes sense that they’re likely to be operating longer hours when there’s more darkness.
Not only that, but longer nights could also make accidents more likely. If you can’t see where you’re going when walking or driving as early as late afternoon, you’re more liable to slip or crash into something. Of course, home insurance won’t be much use if that happens away from home. But if someone trips coming up your dark front path, it could help you out.
Empty Properties
A lot of us leave our homes during the holidays to spend them elsewhere. Some people might employ a house sitter, but many of us leave our properties empty. An empty property, especially one where obviously no one is home, is attractive to a burglar. You can, of course, take steps to try to secure your home from anyone attempting to get in. You can install an alarm system or put up cameras to catch people out. However, there’s always a risk of a break-in and losing some of your things. That’s why it’s important to have home insurance that will pay for any damage or losses. If you return home to find someone has broken in, your provider will help to cover any costs.
Another issue with empty properties is leaving them to go cold. It’s best to leave your heating on a low setting when you leave, just in case any of the pipes could freeze. But if you forget, or it doesn’t help, you could be dealing with a disaster when you get home. A burst pipe and water damage aren’t the Christmas present you want. But your home insurance should help you take care of it.
Snow on the Roof
The weather is obviously a huge problem during the winter. It can play havoc with your home in several different ways. One of the problems you can face is snow piling up on your roof and causing too much pressure. This can cause damage and even end up turning into ice if you’re not careful. Removing the snow with a brush or snow blower can help, but you can’t do that all the time. If you’re worried about snow damaging your roof, make sure your home insurance will cover it.
Ice in Your Home
Ice can be a huge problem too. For example, ice dams can form at the edge of your roof when snow melts and the water runs down. The ice can build up and prevent water from draining from your roof, which could spell disaster. You can try to avoid this problem by keeping your gutters clear and install gutter guards. You should also pay attention to the inside of your home. It’s important to make sure your attic is well-ventilated and the floor is insulated. If you still end up with ice dams, you may be able to make a claim on your home insurance to repair any damage.
Wind and Rain
When it’s not snowy, it’s probably raining, or the wind will be blowing. The wind and rain can loosen roof tiles, batter windows, and more. Make sure you have a home insurance policy that covers storm damage, such as the one from Australia Post. You need to have a safety net in place to cover the cost of any repairs that you might need to make. However, that doesn’t mean that your policy will always pay out for any damage. If you could have prevented it, your insurance provider might not be happy about paying. So try to storm-proof your home first, and worry about making repairs second.
Increased Risk of Accidents
When winter arrives, staying on your feet becomes a little harder. Even when you have a good pair of boots and you clear your path of snow, there’s a risk of slipping. And that means anyone who comes to your home has a risk of falling and hurting themselves too. You don’t want to be in trouble if someone comes to your door and goes down as they come up your garden path. This is another thing that home insurance can sometimes be useful for. But check that it’s covered in your policy. They may cover the cost of the unfortunate guest’s medical expenses. Or they might pay for a lawyer to deal with a resulting lawsuit.
It’s essential to check what your home insurance policy will cover you for this winter. Some will pay for any weather-related damage, while others won’t touch it. If you’re covered, don’t leave it too late to make repairs or put in a claim. Fix any pressing issues as soon as you can, and don’t wait until spring to contact your insurance provider. Remember to keep any evidence of damage and repairs too.