Dressing Your Home

Are you covered?

Spring may be on the calendar, but its not in the air just yet. With the frigid temperatures and heavy snowfall weve experienced this year, its worth taking a moment to consider the effect of the elements on your home.

Are you covered for damage from burst water pipes? Are you responsible if someone slips on ice and gets injured on your property?

If you have home insurance, you probably think, Yes. But thats not necessarily the case.

Winter weather can wreak havoc on homes, and if youre not sure about what your home insurance covers, it can create headaches for homeowners, says Henry Blumenthal, VP and chief underwriter at TD Insurance.

Take this quiz and find out if you know enough about your coverage.

True or false: I have home insurance, so any damage caused by winter elements will be covered.

False. If the damage could have been prevented by proper maintenance, your policy wont cover you.

True or false: If I leave my home for more than 3 or 4 days and dont have anyone checking on my house, I am liable if my pipes freeze.

True. If you plan to be away for more than four days, either turn off your water or arrange for someone to come by regularly to make sure the heat is on. Pipes freeze easily during cold weather, especially when vacationers turn their heat off, and you could be on the hook for any resulting damages.

True or false: Furnaces, boilers and chimneys should be serviced at least once a year.

True. Malfunctioning heating systems in your house during the winter months can result in smoke damage or cause a fire.

True or false: If someone slips and hurts themselves on my property as a result of a slippery walkway or stairway, they can make a claim against me.

True. Under most circumstances, this will be covered by your home insurance policy, but it is always best to prevent accidents if you can. Make sure you clear your walk and spread salt not only is it neighbourly, but it can help prevent injuries.

True or false: If an icicle hits my car and damages my windshield, I can file a claim against the property owner.

Neither. This type of damage would actually be covered by your auto insurance policy. However, its still important for the property owner to maintain their building properly. Your auto insurer could seek recoveries for the damage if they felt you were negligent.

Freezing water is a major cause of damage in the winter. It can be responsible for everything from burst water pipes to cracked masonry. And as temperatures go up and down, the roof can be susceptible to damage from shifting ice and snow.

These are some of the most common home insurance claims during the season. But most of them are completely preventable with proper home maintenance.

No one likes dealing with issues that accompany owning a home especially ones that could have been avoided, says Blumenthal. Taking some time to fix trouble spots protects the value of your home and can save you money in the long run.

Follow these tips and reduce the likelihood youll ever have to make an insurance claim.

1. When in doubt, ask. Find out exactly what your home insurance policy covers.

2. Check winter hot spots. Vulnerable exterior areas include roof and walls; check for obstructions that could prevent melting snow from draining away from the house. Inside your house, your heating system and pipes should be your biggest concerns.

3. Insulate. In addition to saving you money on your heating bills, ensuring your attic is well-insulated and well-ventilated will prevent ice dams from forming on your roof and water leaking in.

4. Do it sooner than later. Deal with issues before they become problems. Address issues right away and prevent further damage to your home or property that may not be covered by your insurance policy.

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