Homeowners Insurance Claims Can Depend on Weather

With winter only a few weeks away in some parts of the country, people should be aware of what situations are covered under their homeowners insurance.

One example is fallen trees, which in the winter months are often caused by ice buildup as well as heavy snow cover. Trees and branches can also cause damage in areas prone to hurricanes and other severe weather events.

"If a tree hits a home or other insured structure, such as a detached garage, standard homeowners insurance policies provide coverage for the damage the tree does to the structure and the contents within it. This includes trees felled by a windstorm, hail, weight of ice, snow or sleet," said Jeanne Salvatore of the Insurance Information Institute.

The institute also pointed out that homeowners policies will generally cover as much as $1,000 of the cost of removing fallen trees and branches - as long as they fell on structures covered under the insurance.

Another point raised by the insurance trade group was that damage to vehicles by falling branches will typically be covered under comprehensive portion of an auto policy. Taking other steps to winterize a house can help reduce any unnecessary homeowners insurance claims.

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