Winter damage and home insurance: Coverage, exclusions and tips

Winter weather damage: What does homeowners insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance covers most damage caused by winter weather, including damage from blizzards and ice storms such as:

Wind damage: Trees and branches falling on your home, damage to the roof and other structures
Damage from the weight of snow and ice: Damage to the roof, gutters and other structures from heavy snow and ice
Damage caused by frozen pipes: Water damage to the interior of your home and your personal property due to frozen pipes that burst

It's important to be aware that there are exclusions and limitations to your coverage.

"(Covered items) can include damage to the roof, siding, and structural elements of the home, as well as damage to personal property, such as furniture and appliances. However, it's important to note that coverage and exclusions can vary depending on the specific policy and the insurance company," Andrew Lokenauth, adjunct professor at the University of San Francisco, says.

Let's break down some common types of damage from winter weather and how insurance covers them.

1. Does homeowners insurance cover snow damage?

Homeowners insurance covers damaged caused by snow, including when the weight of snow causes roof collapse or when heavy snow causes tree branches to fall on your house. Your home insurance will cover structural damage as well as damage to your personal property from snow, with some exclusions.

Coverage is provided by your dwelling coverage, as well as other structures coverage if a detached structure is damaged.

2. Does insurance cover roof leaks from snow?

Insurance will cover a roof that is leaking as the result of melting snow as long as there is no evidence that the roof was previously damaged or in a state of disrepair. Roof leaks due to age or wear and tear are not covered by homeowners insurance.

3. Does homeowners insurance cover frozen pipes?

Homeowners insurance covers water damage from sudden and accidental discharge, which includes burst pipes due to freezing temperatures. Water damage the second most common insurance claim.

"Water damage from freezing pipes is the most significant source of home damage,” says Tim Shaw, president of Tim Shaw Insurance in Fort Myers, Florida. "Not fire, not hurricane, but water loss because of a broken pipe."

4. Does homeowners insurance cover wind damage?

Wind damage is generally covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy’s dwelling coverage unless there is a hail and wind exclusion. If you live in an area prone to windstorms, check your policy or ask your insurer if you are covered.

5. Does homeowners insurance cover ice damage?

Heavy snow accumulations and ice can damage gutters, roofs, decks and downed trees. Standard homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by snow and ice. That includes damage caused by fallen trees or branches.

If ice forms on your gutters and prevents runoff from draining properly, it can cause water to build up and seep into your home. This sort of damage is generally covered.

Other common winter homeowners insurance claims: Fires and injuries

Damage to structures and personal property from snow and ice are common in the winter, but there are other risks you should be aware of, including:

Fires caused by space heaters and fireplaces. Home insurance covers accidental fires caused by heating devices. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that between 2019 and 2023, space heaters and heating stoves were involved in 29% of fires in the U.S., and nearly half of all heating fires (46%) occurred between December and February. Fireplaces and chimneys were responsible for another 8%, causing 27% of direct property damage.
Slips and falls caused by ice and snow. If someone visiting your home is injured in a fall, the medical payments portion of the policy will cover medical bills regardless of fault. Should your visitor sue you for their injury, the personal liability portion of your policy will cover you.

What winter damage isn't covered by home insurance? Exclusions and caveats

There are some exclusions to your homeowners insurance coverage, and also some maintenance requirements that insurance companies set out as part of the insurance contract. Here's what may not be covered:

Damages resulting from water seeping into your home if you failed to maintain or repair your roof, including clearing ice dams
Damage resulting from negligence, including failure to remove trees you knew were dead and at risk of falling
Anything caused by an excluded peril: All home insurance policies exclude floods and earthquakes, but some may also exclude wind and hail damage, requiring an endorsement

How to protect your home from winter weather damage and avoid a claim

Preparation is the best way to avoid a homeowners insurance claim, and the stress that comes along with winter damage to your home.

"To prevent potential damage from winter storms, you can take a few preemptive actions, such as clearing gutters and downspouts of leaves and debris, removing dead or dying trees and branches, insulating pipes to prevent freezing (and) securing loose outdoor items, such as patio furniture and grills," Lokenauth says.

Protect your home with these tips.

Protect your pipes from freezing temperatures

Take these steps to reduce your frozen pipe risk:

Drain and disconnect hoses
Drain sprinkler supply lines
Insulate pipes located in unheated spaces like basements, crawl spaces, attics and garages
Apply pipe sleeves or heat tape to the most vulnerable pipes
Keep the home warm. If you leave town, set the thermostat to 65 degrees F or higher
Leave garage doors closed
When it's very cold, let cold water drip from the faucet

Maintain your roof and clear your gutters

Avoid ice dams and damage from the weight of snow with these tips:

Make sure your roof is in good shape; have it inspected regularly
Clear your gutters ahead of winter
Insulate adequately so your home's heat doesn't escape through the ceiling
Seal any gaps that let warm air leak from the house into the attic
Make sure your attic is ventilated so that cold air from outside can enter that space. You don't want it too warm up there because that can cause snow on the roof to melt, and when it contacts the cold eaves, it may refreeze, forming a dam
Clear snow from your roof regularly to prevent buildup
Clean up your yard and secure any outdoor items

Perform tree and yard maintenance before winter

Reduce the risk of damage from a fallen tree or yard debris flung by the wind by:

Trimming back and tree branches overhanging your roof
Removing dead or diseased trees on your property
Securing any outdoor furniture or decorations

Heat your home safely

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for use of the heating equipment
Keep any heating device at least 36 inches from anything that can catch fire
Have a professional clean and inspect your chimney prior to the start of each heating season
Do not leave heaters unattended or with unsupervised children

Clear sidewalks and driveways to prevent falls

Prevent injuries on your property by:

Clearing snow quickly, especially if the temperatures are likely to cause a melt and refreeze
Clearing ice with ice melt or putting down sand to provide traction
Removing tripping hazards that may be hidden by snow, such as cords for holiday decorations

How do I file a winter home insurance claim?

Your insurance company will have specific instructions for filing a claim, but we've outlined the process, as well as tips for dealing with a winter home insurance claim, in the related story here: Winter storm claims: Dealing with insurance after winter damage.