Winter Home Insurance Tips for Snowbirds

January 7, 2025
Category: News, Tips & Advice

If you’re planning to escape the cold and leave your home for an extended winter getaway, it’s essential to take steps to protect your property while you’re away. An unattended home can face risks such as water damage, theft, or even unwanted animal visitors. At Cluett Insurance, we want to ensure your home is secure so you can enjoy your time away worry-free. Here are key tips to prepare your home and ensure your insurance coverage remains intact.

1. Understand Your Policy Requirements

Before you leave, check your home insurance policy to understand the terms and conditions related to leaving your home unoccupied. Many policies require that someone check on your home regularly—sometimes every 24 hours—to keep coverage in place. This ensures your home is properly heated and free of potential damage caused by heavy snow, ice, or debris.

If your home will be unoccupied for an extended period, you may need to add a vacancy permit to your policy. This ensures your coverage continues during your absence, protecting you from risks such as water damage or break-ins.

2. Prevent Water Damage

Water damage is one of the most common home insurance claims in Canada, especially during the winter months. Taking the following preventative steps can save you from significant headaches:

Shut off the Water Supply: Turning off the water and draining your plumbing system can prevent frozen or burst pipes. Adding non-toxic antifreeze to plumbing traps is an extra layer of protection.
Ensure Regular Checks: If shutting off the water isn’t feasible, make sure whoever is checking on your home knows how to handle potential issues like furnace malfunctions or leaks.
Consider Flood Insurance: If you’re in a high-risk area, adding flood insurance to your policy is a smart move for additional peace of mind.

3. Secure Your Home Against Break-Ins

Visibly vacant homes can become targets for burglars. To make your home appear occupied while you’re away, take these precautions:

Install timers on lights to create the illusion of activity.
Suspend mail and newspaper deliveries or ask someone to collect them for you.
Clear walkways and driveways of snow regularly to avoid the appearance of neglect.

Additionally, review your insurance policy’s coverage for theft. If you own high-value items like jewelry or collectibles, consider getting them appraised and adding a policy extension to ensure they’re fully covered.

4. Protect Against Animal Damage

An empty home can also attract unwelcome animal guests. Critters like raccoons, bats, and squirrels can cause significant damage, but most home insurance policies have limited coverage for such incidents. Take these preventative measures to keep wildlife out:

Seal cracks or openings around your home, especially in the attic.
Remove food sources like garbage or pet food stored in accessible areas.
Eliminate standing water from your yard to avoid attracting pests.

How Cluett Insurance Can Help

Before heading out for the winter, reach out to your Cluett Insurance broker to review your home insurance policy. We’ll help you understand what’s covered, identify any gaps, and ensure your coverage meets your needs while you’re away.

By taking these preventative steps and ensuring your insurance policy is up to date, you can focus on enjoying your time away without worrying about what’s happening at home. At Cluett Insurance, we’re here to help you prepare for every season and protect what matters most.