Winter Weather a Major Cause of Home Damage

01/18/2010

Americans in many parts of the country can look forward to at least a couple of more months of winter weather. With that in mind, it's important to take the necessary maintenance steps that can help prevent unwanted calls to one's home insurance company.

The Insurance Information Institute recently noted that 22 percent of all homeowner losses nationwide in 2007 were caused by water damage and freezing, adding that winter storms account for about $1 billion in damages each year.

"Everyone should also know how to shut their home’s water system off. If water freezes and pipes burst, time is of the essence to keep damage to a minimum," said Michael Barry of the I.I.I.

The organization points out that standard homeowner insurance policies will usually cover damage from burst pipes, wind damage, and power outages caused by wind and falling objects, among other things.

The group advises people to keep homes heated to at least 65 degrees to avoid frozen pipes, since the temperature inside the walls tends to be much colder than the actual walls. People are also urged to be on guard against the ice dams that can build up and damage rooftops, especially in the late winter and early spring.

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