5 Common Winter Home Insurance Claims in New York and How to Prevent Them

‘Tis the season to be jolly (and maybe a little concerned about the snow). Here’s why an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

Key takeaways:

Common winter home insurance claims can cause expensive interior and exterior damage.
Water-based risks drive much of the winter storm damage New York faces.
Keeping warm without awareness causes fires.
Flood insurance is a good investment for future winters.

You’d be hard-pressed to find a New York native who doesn’t take winter seriously. Preparing for the season is a natural part of our lives, and the smartest New York homeowners take steps to weather-proof their property well before snow hits the forecast.

The first step is recognizing what typically goes wrong in and around the home during winter. The next is reducing the odds of facing those cold-weather problems in the first place.

Understanding where your home insurance offers protection (and where it doesn’t) helps you prepare. Pair that knowledge with a few preventative measures, and you’ll be well on your way to avoiding many common winter home insurance claims.

Winter in New York: A Stress Test for Your Home and Policy

The winter storm damage New York deals with can hit hard. It’s also projected to worsen in the coming decades. But here’s the thing to remember: “worse” doesn’t actually mean more snow or significantly colder temperatures.

Yes, we still face freezing temperatures that can cause burst pipes, contribute to heating-related fires, and damage roofs.

However, the real culprit in the future will be heavier, longer, and more frequent winter rainfall, which will contribute significantly to four of New York’s five biggest winter risks.

(You can get a flood insurance quote from us here.)

All this doesn’t mean you have to lose sleep. Taking preventive action can reduce risks and help ensure your policy covers what it needs to…so you’re not left footing the bill.

#1. Frozen or Burst Pipes

This tops the list of winter home insurance claims in New York. Damage or loss is usually covered under standard home insurance and renters’ policies, provided the break is sudden and accidental and not a result of neglect.

One possible ground for insurers denying burst pipe claims is if the home wasn’t sufficiently heated. You can better prevent burst pipes in severe cold by:

Maintaining an indoor temperature above 55°F.
Insulating your pipes.
Keeping faucets on a drip.

With burst pipes from winter storm damage, New York insurers could also deny a claim if the property was left vacant and unattended. Consider having a trusted party check on your home throughout any periods of absence.

#2. Ice Dams and Roof Collapses

Roofs weighed down by snow and heavy rainfall can struggle to drain properly if gutters get blocked. This creates ice dams, forcing water through weak spots in roofs, leading to damaged insulation, walls, and ceilings.

Some of the best preventative practices for this are:

Having a well-ventilated attic.
Cleaning gutters regularly (and especially before winter).
Checking the roof before and after winter storms to assess damage.

Once again, proof of responsible maintenance helps ensure that any roof-related winter claims (such as collapses) are approved by your insurer. Here’s how to care for your roof while staying safe.

#3. Windstorm Damage

New York’s average winter wind speeds are slowly increasing from 9.4 mph to 10.3 mph. That’s enough to break windows, rip roof shingles, and bring down trees. Thankfully, these winter home insurance claims are covered under most policies.

The winter storm damage New York gets from wind can also turn natural and man-made objects into damaging projectiles. Make sure to:

Secure outdoor furniture and decor.
Inspect your home’s exterior and roof for any loose elements.
Trim branches near your home.
Know how to evaluate your home’s risk of storm damage.

Another tip: Double-check how your home insurance covers detached structures on your property, such as fencing, garden sheds, or gazebos. It’s common for these external objects to be covered, but usually for much less than the home itself.

#4. House Fires from Heating Equipment or Candles

You may think heat-related issues aren’t a priority when temperatures plummet, but you’d be wrong. Sources of heat and light around the house are the most common cause of winter home fires, and a leading cause of winter home insurance claims.

What’s more, they’re considered the worst kind of fire by loss measurement. Here are the top risk factors to be aware of:

Fireplaces
Space heaters
Holiday lights (candles and electrical)
Christmas trees
Cooking fires

A few simple steps can manage these problems:

Never leave natural sources of heat and light unattended.
Clean your chimneys regularly.
Maintain a three-foot distance between heaters and any flammable items.

Insurance typically covers fire-related repairs and the replacement of damaged property, but don’t rely only on that. Smart safety habits help avoid expensive accidents and bodily harm.

#5. Slip-and-Fall Liability Claims

Remember all that extra rain New York will be getting in the coming winters? Cold temperatures quickly turn that into lots of ice and more winter home insurance claims.

This is the time of year when the chances of residents, guests, and neighbors slipping and falling around your home rise dramatically.

That’s where liability insurance comes in. It will help cover the cost of injuries sustained on your property and make medical bills and possible legal fees easier to bear.

You can reduce the chances of things going that far by taking these preventative steps:

Quickly clear away any snow or sleet on walkways.
Salt walking surfaces to help prevent groundwater from freezing.
Keep walking areas well-lit after dark.

All these tips can help you stay proactive and better protected while reducing your need to file a home insurance claim this winter.

But don’t worry if you have to; we’ve got a five-step guide for that, too.

How NICRIS Helps Homeowners Prepare for Winter Storm Damage in New York

We help New Yorkers make the right moves by proactively reviewing their current home or renters’ insurance to stay ahead of winter home insurance claims.

It’s also important to accept a growing kind of winter storm damage New York must consider: increasing flood risks driven by climate change

This will likely only worsen as rainfall gets heavier and more frequent. Buying flood insurance is a strong way to financially prepare for this rising threat.

Call Us for Confident Coverage This Winter!

NICIRS will help you find coverage that fits your needs while providing advice on any add-ons you could benefit from, like sump pump strategy, sewer backup, or higher liability limits for next-level winter protection.

Don’t let winter home insurance claims sour the season.