Winter damage and home insurance: Coverage, exclusions and tips

Winter weather damage: What does homeowners insurance cover?

Homeowners insurance covers many types of winter damage, including burst pipes, roof damage from snow and ice, wind damage, and accidental fires. Your coverage depends on the cause of the damage, your policy limits, and whether you maintained your home.

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 of the exclusions and limitations in 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?

Yes. Homeowners insurance covers damage when snow or ice accumulation causes a roof, wall, or other insured structure to collapse or suffer damage. Your policy also covers damage to belongings inside the home caused by winter weather.

Heavy snow may damage a roof, porch, deck or garage. If the weight of snow or ice causes structural damage, your dwelling coverage pays for repairs, subject to your deductible and policy limits.

2. Does insurance cover roof leaks from snow?

Yes. Insurance will cover a roof that is leaking as a 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?

Yes. Homeowners insurance covers water damage from sudden and accidental discharge, including burst pipes caused by freezing temperatures. Water damage is 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?

Yes, in most cases. 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?

Yes. 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

Homeowners insurance covers accidental fire damage to your house and belongings. This includes fires involving fireplaces, furnaces, space heaters, and other heating equipment.

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) estimates that heating equipment caused an average of 37,365 home fires each year from 2020 through 2024. Space heaters and heating stoves accounted for 30% of heating equipment fires and 73% of deaths from those fires.
Slips and falls caused by ice and snow. If someone visiting your home is injured in a fall, the policy's medical payments coverage 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

Homeowners insurance excludes winter damage caused by poor maintenance, gradual leaks, and neglect. Standard policies also exclude flooding and earthquake damage, while sewer or drain backup requires separate coverage or an endorsement under many policies.

Common exclusions include:

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

Prepare your home before freezing temperatures arrive by protecting exposed pipes, maintaining your roof and gutters, trimming weak tree branches, and inspecting heating equipment. These steps reduce the risk of burst pipes, roof damage, fires, and injuries.

"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 pipes from freezing temperatures

Insulate exposed pipes and seal gaps that allow cold air into areas where plumbing runs. Keep your home heated during freezing weather and follow your insurer's requirements when leaving the property vacant.

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

Inspect your roof for damaged shingles, loose flashing, and other problems before winter. Clear gutters and downspouts so melting snow drains properly and does not collect along the roof edge.

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 to 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

Remove dead or damaged branches before winter storms arrive. Heavy snow and ice increase the risk of falling branches that damage your roof, garage, vehicles or other property.

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

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

Heat your home safely

Have your furnace and other heating equipment inspected before winter. Keep space heaters away from furniture, curtains, and bedding, and follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.

Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for using 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

Remove snow and ice from steps, sidewalks, and driveways to reduce the risk of falls. Apply an appropriate ice melt product and keep entrances clear for guests and delivery workers.

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?

To file a winter storm damage claim, first take photos of the damage and make temporary repairs where it is safe and possible. Then contact your insurance company to file a claim. Keep all receipts and records, get repair estimates, meet with the adjuster, and review the settlement. Do not make major repairs or discard damaged items until the insurer has inspected them, unless they pose a safety risk.

Take these steps to file a winter storm damage claim:

Document the damage: Take timestamped photos and videos of all damage, and keep damaged items until your insurer inspects them.
Prevent further damage: Make temporary repairs, dry wet areas, and save receipts for related expenses.
Contact your insurer: Report the damage, file your claim, and request a claim number and adjuster contact.
Keep a claim log: Record conversations with your insurer and save all written communications.
Get repair estimates: Request written quotes from licensed contractors before starting major repairs.
Meet the adjuster: Show the damage and provide photos, repair estimates and other supporting documents.
Review your settlement: Check the payment amount, understand actual cash value (ACV) versus replacement cost, and dispute any undervalued items.