Did you know that winter storms can cause as much damage as hurricanes? While the wind speeds of winter storms are not as bad as cyclones, the storm fronts can be over 600 miles long and sweep across half a continent. It’s no surprise that winter storms result in massive insured and uninsured losses year on year. To put things in perspective, 2022 was the third most expensive winter since 1950 with winter storms wreaking havoc across the US.

Damages attributed to winter storms

Winter storms primarily damage buildings, vehicles, and infrastructure with wind speeds going over 99m/h. These storms are typically accompanied by heavy snowfall or freezing rain which causes structural damage to homes and buildings, road accidents as well as business interruptions, especially when huge volumes of snow and ice cripple infrastructure. Besides this, damage to plumbing is very common with pipes freezing.

Why are winter storms so chillingly dangerous?

The key difference between winter storms and tropical storms is in terms of their areas of formation and tracks, and also the intensity and geographical spread. Winter storms typically form in the transition zone between subtropical and polar climate zones when bursts of cold polar air meet subtropical warm air masses causing large, low-pressure vortices. The maximum wind speeds are 80 -100 m/h which are lower than those possible in severe tropical storms, however, speeds of over 100 m/h winds are also possible in exposed coastal locations or higher mountains. Wind fields can go up to 1200 miles wide, causing ice and snow storms or blizzards which inflict damage through ice or snow pressure.

Winter woes for homeowners to consider

As a homeowner, there are certain risks that the winter brings with it, and while you can take extra measures to make sure your insulation is working, thermostats are functional and your gutters are clean, there are still risks involved which every homeowner must consider.

1) Structural damage: Huge volumes of snow and ice on a roof can potentially cause structural damage to your home. Excess snow should be habitually removed from the roof and downspouts and gutters should be cleaned to prevent flooding. Keeping this in mind, some winter storms are so severe, that even if you take all the precautions, structural damage is unavoidable. In such instances, homeowners insurance will help cover the structural damage caused by a winter storm. At Gonzalez Insurance, offer comprehensive, custom homeowners insurance that will allow you to safeguard yourself without breaking the bank.

2) Frozen pipes: Unprotected water pipes freeze, which leads to no water and a lack of heating in some cases. This is why it is crucial to have heat circulate in your home and so that there’s sufficient insulation to help keep pipes at a constant temperature. If a thermostat malfunctions and pipes freeze to the point that they burst, the damage done can be to the tune of hundreds of dollars to fix.  This is why having homeowners insurance in the winter is a must because it can save you from damages that can cost a small fortune.

3) Slip and falls at home: Winter is the season of slip and falls with all the ice and slippery surfaces! If someone slips on an icy patio or anywhere on your property, homeowners insurance will safeguard you with personal liability if someone is injured on the property. It will also cover medical expenses if any.

Winter woes for commercial building owners to consider

We don’t mean to sound like alarmists, but the truth for small business owners is that getting through hurricane season is just half the battle fought, you must now brace yourself for an unforgiving winter without letting your guard down.

1) Water damage caused by frozen pipes: When temperatures dip, water can freeze the plumbing, which causes pipes to burst leading to hundreds or thousands of dollars in commercial water damage. Frozen pipes can damage floors, walls, structures, inventory, equipment, and furniture as well. To prepare for this time, businesses can take a few measures to combat this such as hiring a contractor to repair cracks and ensuring that the building is properly insulated. Thermostats can help maintain an even temperature even during the night and on weekends. However, to safeguard yourself, make sure your commercial building insurance is up to date because it is detrimental to safeguard a commercial building in winter.

2) Slip and fall accidents: Icy walkways lead to accidents which are expensive and can even lead to lawsuits. If a customer or visitor falls at your workplace, having liability coverage in business insurance can come in handy, especially considering the fact that slips and falls contribute to 10% of business insurance claims. Worker’s compensation is also a must to cover costs related to employees having similar accidents.

3) Business interruptions: Winter storms can cause businesses to shut down for a few weeks especially if there is a severe storm in your area. So if you own a factory and your operations had to be temporarily shut down on account of harsh weather conditions, the business interruption cover will take care of the loss of income during this period.

Safeguarding your vehicle during the winter:

Over 150,000 auto crashes occur annually due to icy roads as per federal data, with Ohio ranking as the state with the most winter driving deaths with an average of 86 deaths per year. Driving in the winter is extremely dangerous by default, here are the most common accidents that people face:

1) Losing control of your vehicle: Driving on snowy roads can take a car 10x longer to halt completely. This can lead to accidents even if you are driving extremely carefully. This is why auto insurance exists, to cover damages attributed to such situations. Our comprehensive auto insurance plans cover all kinds of damage to your automobile, safeguarding you from hefty bills.

2) Stiffening rubber and tire pressure: When the temperature drops, the rubber on tires can stiffen which subsequently causes a shift in tire pressure, this can cause accidents and is highly dangerous. Auto insurance can cover damages to the vehicle, as well as medical expenses if any.

3) Safeguarding yourself in case of accidents: Driving in the winter without auto insurance is very risky, in case there is a collision and you are ticketed without insurance, you can have your license suspended, invite lawsuits and any property damage would have you paying from your pocket. Auto insurance protects you from this and covers damages, and liability and safeguards you.

Winter is often overlooked given that it comes straight after the most infamous hurricane season, however having the right coverage can save you thousands of dollars and give you the peace of mind you need. If you’re looking to get your insurance up to speed for the winter, reach out to us for custom-made plans that are tailored to suit your needs.