Winter has officially begun, and just as every season brings different kinds of conditions and possible perils, winter does, too. Being cautious and preventing accidents tends to sound more complicated than it really is. This is why we are bringing five insurance tips for winter that should help us stay safe and claim-free during the coldest time of the year.
One of the most common perils of the season is suffering from snow damage on our home or property. Fires and electrical damage are common problems we might face if we’re not careful with our holiday decorations, too. Also, inspecting our heating systems and devices is an essential part of our home prep for cold weather. Keeping your sidewalk and driveway clear of snow, as well as driving when temperatures drop are other insurance tips for winter we should keep in mind during the season.
Watch Out for Snow Damage
Suffering from snow damage is one of the most common issues we might experience during winter. As snow accumulates on our roofs, its weight keeps on increasing, and it can end up damaging your roof. Therefore, we want to make sure we are removing snow from any of our properties to avoid damage. If we are not able to do it ourselves, hiring a professional should do it, even when it might represent an extra expense.
Don’t Overload Your Home Circuits
Who doesn’t enjoy the sight of a house covered with warm and colorful Christmas lights and holiday decorations? We should be mindful, however, and avoid overloading our home circuits and electrical installation. This might cause damage to the internal wiring of our home, and even burn other appliances in case of a surge. Not only that, but it could also start a fire inside our home. Buying surge protectors and power slips can help us protect our devices, and our home, from any kind of damage.
Inspect Your Heating Systems and Devices
Depending on where we live, temperatures might drop so much that using our heating systems and other heat devices is the only way to endure cold weather. Therefore, we must inspect our heaters, chimneys, and any other device we use to keep our home warm and cozy. Making sure they are working properly will help us prevent any possible damage to our device and our home.
Keep Your Sidewalk and Driveway Clear of Snow
One of the most obvious yet important insurance tips for winter is keeping our sidewalk and driveway clear of snow and ice. A slippery sidewalk could also give us liability issues if someone else happened to have an accident inside our property. Also, if we’re having family or friends visiting, they might get fall and get hurt too. So, remember to shovel your driveway regularly to remove the ice and snow. Also, you might want to add some anti-slip tape on your driveway and steps, too.
Drive Safe When Temperatures Drop
For most of us, our routine might remain the same regardless of the temperature outside and having to drive from and to our home could be particularly risky during winter. Thus, we must take extra precautions before driving under severe climate conditions. Before leaving the driveway, remember to clear the snow and ice off your car, including the roof, windshield, mirrors, lights, hood, and trunk. Also, when already driving, keep in mind that speed limits are meant for dry roads. Remember to reduce your speed and increase your following distance from other drivers. This will help us avoid an accident that could affect not only you but other drivers out there.
