Most Common Winter Claims: Home Insurance in New Bedford, MA

Sometimes the best way to avoid a bad experience is to learn how others got themselves into a situation where it happened to them. Your New Bedford insurance agent wants to provide you with all of the latest tips and insight into the most common MA homeowners insurance claims experienced in the winter months. The hope is that you will make adjustments accordingly to avoid becoming another seasonal statistic.

Home insurance in New Bedford is designed to protect your investment and everything in it, but there are things that you can do to prevent problems from happening in the first place. The best place to start is to meet with your agent to discuss your New Bedford home insurance policy to make sure that you have enough coverage to provide for repairs or replacements in your time of need.

Insurance Statistics in America

According to the Insurance Information Institute, the percentage of claims made for winter-related incidents in recent years has doubled from what it was just two decades ago. Make sure that you take the necessary steps to protect your home with a comprehensive MA homeowners insurance policy designed to cover your home and belongings. Create a to-do list for every season so you can perform essential inspections, make repairs, and keep up with ongoing maintenance to reduce your chances of having to file a claim. While there are certain situations beyond your control, such as weather-related damage, many of the claims listed here might have been preventable.

• Frozen Pipes – Studies show that water damage caused by frozen pipes is by far the biggest type of damage done to homes in the United States. You might think that it would be fires, hurricanes or other weather conditions, but frozen pipes are a big accident just waiting to happen.
• Hail Damage – While some states have issues with hail more than others, New Bedford home insurance agents deal with hail damage every year. Damage to roofs, vehicles, and other types of personal property can be very costly. After a hail storm, make sure to inspect or have your roof inspected for damage.
• Wind Damage – While wind storms wreak havoc year-round, winter wind storms are by far one of the most common types of damage caused during the season. While you might be thinking loose shingles, gutters, and shutters, other personal property items can become a big problem during a wind storm. Outdoor furniture, children’s play toys, and trees can become weapons of mass destruction if there is enough force behind them.
• Snow and Ice – Something that most Southeastern Massachusetts residents know all too well about is seasonal snow and ice. Tiny snowflakes may seem harmless until they all band together and cause damage to your roof, deck, gutters, trees, and storage shed. Ice dams and other drainage issues can result in thousands of dollars of damage – if you’re lucky.

What You Can Do

Your MA homeowners insurance policy does not cover all damage caused by winter weather and conditions. Go over your home insurance policy with your New Bedford insurance agent to find out what you are covered for – and what you aren’t. There are two things you can do to protect yourself in the winter: increase your home insurance in New Bedford and take proactive steps to protect your home from common winter claims. Winter damage can come out of nowhere and leave you without a lot of options. The statistics don’t lie, approximately one out of every fifteen insured homeowners will file a claim each year. One of out of every thirty protected homes will experience hail or wind damage each year, and approximately one out of every fifty-five insured homes will suffer water damage from frozen pipes.

To prevent frozen pipes, drain and disconnect all outdoor hoses and drain sprinkler supply lines. Insulate all of your pipes that are located in unheated spaces, including attics, basements, garages, crawl spaces, and storage areas. You can use pipe sleeves or apply heat tape to some of the most vulnerable pipes to add some protection. Keep your thermostat set at 55 degrees minimum whenever you leave your home and keep your garage doors closed. To reduce hail damage, inspect your roof each fall and make any repairs. If hail damage is frequent in your area, consider using hail-resistant roofing materials and make sure to file any related claims as soon as possible. Do everything you can to prevent ice dams by insulating your home to prevent heat from escaping through the ceiling. Consider hiring a professional so you can do it right.

Call Borden Insurance for a FREE New Bedford Home Insurance Quote
If you are interested in learning more about home insurance in New Bedford and the surrounding area, contact Borden Insurance at 508-999-3636. We can answer any questions that you might have about MA homeowners insurance policies or connect you with a New Bedford insurance agent who can get you the coverage you need to protect your home.