Most of us love the beauty of snowfall and we enjoy watching it, however when the snow starts to melt, it becomes a hazard to our homes. If you think your homeowner’s insurance policy will cover the damage caused by melting snow, think again.
Most problems caused by melting snow fall outside the coverage of standard homeowner’s insurance policies.
You’ll need to check your own policies to see what’s covered, but this blog will go over what is generally covered.
Is Snow Melt Covered by Homeowners Insurance?
Snow damage can come in all types of forms, and homeowners insurance coverage can help cover repair costs in some instances. Below are examples of how a standard homeowners insurance policy could help with snow damage:
Ice dams: These can develop when snow builds up near the roof and melts from the heat inside your home, forming a ridge on the roof. The problem is that these ridges can cause a roof leak from water backing up and leak into your home. Ice dam damage to your roof and interior walls are likely covered under your dwelling coverage.
Broken branches: Branches can break from heavy snow and risk damaging your roof or other parts of your home. Falling objects are considered a covered peril, and your homeowners insurance policy would likely provide coverage if your property were damaged from falling branches.
If the branch falls on your car, your auto insurance policy may cover these repair costs if your policy has comprehensive coverage.
- Roof collapses: Although rare, heavy snow may cause a roof collapse if the roof isn’t strong enough to sustain the weight of snow for extended periods of time. In rare cases like these, your dwelling coverage would once again likely cover the repairs.
How Homeowners Insurance Doesn’t Cover Snow Melt
Homeowners Insurance is great for providing important protection for your home in most situations. It provides valuable financial protection if your home were to face a huge loss.
However, it is important to note that when it comes to losses resulting from flood damage caused by melting snow, your homeowners insurance does not apply.
Is Snow Melt Covered By Flood Insurance?
When the ground becomes oversaturated with water from the snow melt and leaks into your home, this is considered flooding and is typically not covered under your homeowners insurance. Instead, flood insurance would likely cover the repairs to help you recover from water damage.
Water Damage vs. Flood Damage from Melting Snow and Ice
In the world of insurance, flooding and water damage are not the same thing. A flood is rising water moving over what’s normally dry ground.
If snowdrifts in your garden melt, homeowners insurance won’t pay for the damage. Flood insurance will, since the water is touching the ground.
Water damage is caused by water that hasn’t touched the ground. For example, if your home gets damaged from melting snow and the water is coming from above ground (such as a melting icicle), the resulting damage may be covered by homeowners insurance.
If snow comes in through a broken window and melts on your computer, that’s water damage, which homeowners insurance should cover. Now, whether the damage exceeds your deductible is another question (if it doesn’t you shouldn’t file a claim).
We are living in an unpredictable world where natural disasters are occurring more and more frequently. We might be safe now, but we can’t predict our future.
Having a flood insurance policy can give you peace of mind knowing that you are protected when disaster strikes.
If you need more information about flood insurance read our blog here.
Don’t assume you are covered. If you’re looking for adequate home insurance coverage in Minnesota or Wisconsin, contact ONYX Insurance Brokers today to review your policy. Ensure you have the right protection, including flood insurance, for your home.
