Texas has been known to be one of the centers of damage during winter. Winter storms leave trails of damage in their wake, from a power outage to water shortage (due to burst pipe). At the end of each disaster, policyholders may file more claims.
Winter strategies generally include stacking up food, adding chains to your vehicle tires, defrosting your pipe, etc. For this reason, home insurance in winter does not only include liability damage, home structure, or additional living expenses. It also includes coverage for spoilt food, vehicle damage, and spoilt water pipes. This post contains insurance strategies for winter weather for Texans. Read on to find out more!
Insurance for Spoilt Food
Most of us stack up food and essential supplies for winter for good reasons. That’s because we don’t want to be caught outside in a blizzard. However, what happens if the food item gets spoilt due to a power outage? Winter insurance in Texas covers food that went bad due to the weather, but if the claim amount exceeds the amount stated in your policy, you will have to pay the cost out of pocket.
Insurance Coverage for Damaged Water Pipes due to Winter Weather
In Texas, homeowners insurance covers damages for burst or frozen water pipes in winter. It also covers damages resulting from the damaged pipes. However, if the damage results from your actions, your insurer may not pay for the damage. For instance, if you knowingly turn off the heater and your pipe gets damaged, and as a result, you will not be able to claim a payout.
Insurance for ALE
Like every home insurance coverage, insurance in Texas also covers additional living expenses (ALE). The power outage is the major reason for this. Without electricity, there is no way to power the heater. Additional living expenses cover hotel bills and other additional expenses incurred due to leaving home. However, not all insurers will cover such claims. This coverage usually starts if the house is uninhabitable for 2 days consecutively and lasts for 7 days.
Insurance for Vehicle Damage due to Winter Weather
Having coverage for winter-weather vehicle damage is another winter strategy. The roads are icy, and ice from trees (also tree branches) crash on cars. This is why insurance in winter covers claims of vehicle damage. Although your comprehensive coverage may pay for this damage, you must pay a deductible too. Homeowners’ insurance can pay the cost of removing a fallen tree from your house or lawn.
Essential Tips for Filing Insurance Claims for Winter Weather Damage
- Review your insurance policy before filing for any claim to know what‘s covered and what isn’t.
- Please keep a record of the damage, i.e., take photos and make videos of the damage, no matter how irrelevant it is.
- Keep a record of any repair you make after the damage, like receipts and invoices, until the damage is evaluated.
- Ensure to keep track of your communication with your insurer.
- Make sure to be present when a claim adjuster is scheduled to visit.
- Get repair bids from different contractors and make comparisons with your adjuster’s report.
- Keep proof of all deductible you paid on your insurance claim.
- Try to pay out of pocket if the claim payout is less than your deductible because, in this way, you will avoid having claims on your record that won’t payout.
- Assert your right to the coverage you paid for.
- Prepare yourself to negotiate with your insurer if you don’t like the settlement.
- If you want to file for a huge claim, hire a public adjuster to handle the paperwork on your behalf.
- Archer Insurance Group, Houston, Texas, is a single source for all your insurance needs. Our team of insurance experts is available to guide you through the process to get insurance tailored to your need. Reach out to us to get a quote for free!
