Snowpocalypse Prep: Home Insurance Edition 

Snow sure is fun, but that’s only until it starts eating your house! If you live in the Pacific Northwest, you already know the drill. One minute you are sipping coffee in the towering presence of that glorious Mt Rainier, and then the next minute your gutters are collapsing in cartoon fashion onto the top of your head. 

So let’s talk Snowpocalypse Prep, Home Insurance Winter Edition. Not in a boring “please enjoy this 47-page PDF about policy language” way, but in a real-world way where you still want to keep your toes, your roof, and your sanity. And if you want to avoid your own snowpocalypse, get a customized homeowners insurance quote today at Vern Fonk! 

What Home Insurance Covers During Winter Weather 

Your home insurance is not sitting there judging you for buying the giant inflatable snowman. It is primarily worried about “sudden and accidental” things that go wrong in winter, not the stuff that slowly falls apart because the house is 70 years old and the last maintenance it saw was during the Obama administration. With that said… 

Snow, Ice, and Wind Damage Basics 

If a windstorm rips shingles off your roof and snow melts into your attic, that is usually part of storm damage coverage. If ice sends a tree branch through your living room window, that often falls under covered perils, too, as long as the tree was reasonably healthy and this is truly a surprise, not a “yeah, the tree was basically a zombie.” 

If your carport or porch cover collapses from heavy snow, you may have a roof collapse claim situation on your hands. That is where your dwelling coverage might help pay for repair or rebuilding, subject to your deductible and policy limits. 

If a pipe suddenly freezes and bursts, flooding your floors and turning your hallway into a lazy river, the resulting water damage is typically covered. The catch is that insurers expect you to have done basic home maintenance winter prep, like keeping the heat on and insulating vulnerable pipes. If you left for Cancun with the furnace off and every window open, the company might raise an eyebrow. Or two. 

What Might Not Be Covered After a Snowstorm 

Sadly, your policy won’t cover everything that winter brings. Some things to keep in mind here include neglect as well as poor home maintenance. Specifics below. 

Damage Due to Neglect or Poor Maintenance 

If an adjuster walks up to your house and the roof looks like it has lost a 20-year argument with moss, lichens, and a family of determined raccoons, that can be an issue. Your insurer expects that you’ll do some reasonable upkeep, such as patching up water leaks early, keeping the roof in good shape, and avoiding clogged gutters. 

There is also a difference between flood and other water damage. If melting snow causes a nearby creek to overflow and water comes into your basement from outside at ground level, that is typically considered a flood. Standard Pacific Northwest home insurance policies usually exclude flood, which is where separate Washington flood insurance steps in. 

Winter Prep Steps Every Homeowner Should Take 

Now for the prep portion. Insurance can only go so far. The ideal situation is that you never need to file a claim in the first place! Here’s the definitive list of winter prep steps to take. 

Inspect and Maintain Your Heating System Before the First Freeze 

If your heating system fails in the middle of a deep freeze, your pipes are more likely to freeze and burst. That is where frozen pipes coverage can get complicated. Insurers may ask whether you kept the heat at a reasonable level. So think of tuning up the heating system as cheap insurance for your insurance. 

Protect Outdoor Faucets and Sprinkler Lines 

Hose bibs and sprinkler lines are the drama queens of winter plumbing. Disconnect hoses, drain the lines, and use those little foam covers or insulation as needed. It takes five minutes today and might save you from discovering a miniature geyser in March. 

Trim Overhanging Tree Branches Near the Roof 

Have a look at branches hanging over your roof, vehicle area, or power lines. Trimming them back reduces the chance of storm-related tree debris crashing down and gives you a stronger position if you do need to file a storm damage coverage claim later. 

Clean Gutters and Downspouts for Proper Drainage 

Clean gutters before winter and check that downspouts are pointed away from the foundation. You do not want to accidentally create a moat that later becomes a basement leak. 

Seal Drafts and Check Attic Insulation 

Sealing drafts around doors and windows also helps keep your heating system from working overtime, which your wallet and your future pipes will appreciate. 

Test Sump Pumps and Backup Power Sources 

If your home has a basement or is in a low-lying area, make friends with your sump pump. Test it before the rainy snow season gets wild. Make sure it plugs into a reliable outlet and consider a battery backup or generator, so that when the power flickers, your basement does not quietly turn into a reflecting pool. 

Review Emergency Supplies and Evacuation Plans 

Have some backup food, water, flashlights, medications, blankets, and maybe a battery bank for your phone. Know a couple of ways to get out of your neighborhood if a tree blocks your usual route. Is this directly part of home insurance winter coverage? Not really. But it helps keep everyone safe long enough for the insurance adjuster to return your calls. 

Document Property Conditions Before Winter Hits 

If you need to file a roof collapse claim or snow damage insurance claim later, having “before” photos makes it easier to show what changed and what was brand new damage from that one brutal storm. Take quick photos or videos of your roof, siding, yard, trees, interior rooms, and any recent upgrades before the real winter hits. Store them in the cloud or your email. Also, know what to do when your roof starts acting like a water park! 

Know Where Your Main Water Shutoff Valve Is 

Find your main water shutoff and practice turning it off. If a pipe bursts at 3 a.m., every second matters. Shutting off the water at the main can limit the damage, which helps both you and your insurer. It also lets you feel briefly heroic in socks and pajamas. 

Common Winter Claims in the PNW 

There are a few types of claims that consistently pop up in the PNW, specifically. Some of them include burst pipes and water damage. Others include roof collapses. And others are just … “oopsies.” More on that in a moment … 

Burst Pipes and Water Damage 

Homeowners policies often cover resulting water damage from a sudden pipe burst if you made reasonable efforts to keep the home heated and the plumbing protected. The actual pipe repair may be handled differently from the cleanup and reconstruction, depending on your policy. 

Roof Collapse From Heavy Snow 

If the weight of snow or ice causes part of your roof or a permanent structure to collapse, your dwelling coverage may respond, subject to limits and exclusions. Keep in mind that if the roof was already in awful shape, the insurer may question whether neglect played a role. 

Slips, Trips, and “Icy Oopsies” on Walkways 

Personal liability in your homeowners policy can sometimes help if a guest or delivery person is injured on your property and you are found responsible. Insurers also expect you to make a reasonable effort to clear snow and treat ice on walkways, steps, and driveways. So grab the shovel and deicer early instead of doing the “I will deal with it later” shuffle. 

Storm-Related Tree Debris Causing Property Damage 

Wondering how to weather the storm with home insurance? If a windstorm or heavy snow knocks a tree or large limb onto your home, garage, or other covered structure, the resulting property damage is often covered as storm damage. Cleanup of the tree itself might have coverage limits and rules, especially if the tree belonged to a neighbor. 

When To File a Claim — and When To DIY Repairs 

A good rule of thumb is to think about safety, scope, and cost. If something affects the structural integrity of the home, electrical systems, or basic habitability, it is probably in claim territory. For purely cosmetic small problems that cost less than the deductible, DIY or paying out of pocket often makes more sense. That’s the fast rule of thumb on winter claim prevention. 

Stay Cozy and Covered This Winter 

Winter in the PNW will always be a little chaotic. One day it is damp and 47 degrees, the next day your street has become an advanced-level Mario Kart track, and the trees are auditioning for a disaster movie. 

At Vern Fonk Insurance, we’re here to help! Give us a call today at (800) 455-8276, get a quote online, or visit us in person to discuss your winter coverage needs! 

FAQs 

Does Home Insurance Cover Roof Collapse From Snow? 

This is a big one on the list of homeowners insurance tips. Answer: Usually. With a but. If the roof was already failing due to age or neglect, your insurer might limit what they pay or deny the claim. Regular inspections and maintenance help you argue that snow was the real culprit, not thirty winters of ignored moss. 

What if Frozen Pipes Burst? 

If you abandoned the house with no heat and no preparation, coverage may be reduced or denied. If it truly was a freak cold snap and you had taken reasonable precautions, that is exactly when insurance is meant to step in. 

Are Snow Removal Damages Covered? 

If you accidentally ding a railing while shoveling, that might be on you. But if you hire a snow removal company and they cause major damage to your property, their liability insurance may come into play. 

How Can I Prevent Ice Dams? 

Ice dams happen when warm air in the attic melts snow on the roof, which then refreezes near the colder eaves, trapping water. To prevent this kind of thing from happening, focus on good attic insulation, proper ventilation, and sealing air leaks. Keeping gutters clear also gives meltwater somewhere to go. 

Should I Increase Coverage Before Winter? 

It is not a bad idea to review your limits before the storm season kicks into high gear. If building costs in your area have jumped, your existing dwelling limit might not be enough for a worst-case rebuild after severe storm damage coverage events.