MISSOURI, USA — As Midwesterners prepare for the season's most frigid conditions, AAA has some tips to help homeowners and renters come of out this season without repair costs.
“The time to prepare your home for the upcoming cold weather is right now” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria. “Taking small steps now can help you avoid high repair costs and headaches down the road.”
The average frozen pipe claim costs more than $11,000, according to AAA insurance reports. The repairs can be much higher when personal property is damaged.
What you can do to protect your home
- Remove hoses from exterior faucets.
- Repair or replace weather stripping around windows and doors, vents and fans, plumbing, air conditioners and electrical and gas lines.
- Use caulk or insulation to seal all cracks, holes, and other openings on exterior walls.
- Let faucets drip a little bit to prevent freezing pipes.
- Well-insulated basements and crawl spaces will help protect pipes. Close foundation vents and windows to basements. Wrap vulnerable pipes with pipe insulation.
- Know where your water shutoff valve is so that you can turn off the water in case of an emergency.
- Air inside the walls, where pipes are, can be much colder than air in the room, so set the thermostat at a reasonable temperature, even if you will be away from home.
- Keep bathroom and kitchen cabinet doors open to let warm air circulate the pipes.
- Close your wood-burning fireplace flue damper when you’re not using it. Follow all manufacturer instructions for gas fireplaces including those with pilot lights, which may require the flue to be partially open at all times.
Winter damages covered by standard homeowners insurance include:
- The roof, if damage occurs due to the weight of snow on the roof or ice from a storm.
- Damage caused by pipes bursting and repairs costs, as long as the owner ensures routine maintenance and maintains heat in the building.
What’s not covered by standard homeowners insurance:
- Some storm damage could be excluded
- Flash floods caused by spontaneous temperature changes can cause damage to homes. However, flood insurance can be purchased separately.
- Any lack of maintenance or neglect by homeowner; including damages resulting from failure to maintain heat in your home during extreme cold temperatures.
More winter liabilities
Triming threatening trees, shutting off water and drain pipes, and cleaning your gutters will help avoid a claim. Then there are slips and falls on your property that become possibilities in winter. Liability insurance comes built into homeowners' insurance policies. This is the time to double-check the details of that coverage.
Is your home insurance ready?
AAA is urging homeowners and renters to make sure their homeowner's policies are ready for potential winter disasters. This is a great time to review your policy with your agent.
