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Ice Damage & Homeowners Insurance: What You Need to Know 

Ice damage can be a major problem for homeowners. Not only is the damage itself costly to repair, but the insurance claims process can be complicated and frustrating. In this blog post, we will answer some of the most common questions about homeowners insurance and ice damage. We will explain what kinds of ice damage are covered by homeowners insurance, and we will also discuss some of the exceptions. If you have any other questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us! 

What Kinds of Ice Damage Does Homeowners Insurance Cover? 

Homeowners insurance generally covers two types of ice damage:  

  • damage caused by an ice dam, and  
  • damage caused by hail. 

An Ice Dam is a ridge of ice that forms at the edge of a roof, usually where the roof meets the gutter. This ridge blocks the flow of water from the roof to the gutter, which can cause water to back up and leak into the home. A severe ice dam can even cause your home’s roof to cave in, an event that is not only dangerous to your family but also can be incredibly costly to remedy. Will your homeowners insurance step in to cover the cost of ice dam removal? In most cases, no. However, most homeowners insurance policies will cover the damage caused by an ice dam, including water damage and repairs to your roof. 

Hail can also cause a lot of damage to your home. Hailstones can be as big as golf balls, and they can easily shatter windows or dent siding. A good homeowners insurance policy will usually cover hail damage, but typically you must meet a deductible first and there also may be some exceptions. For example, if you live in a hurricane-prone area, your policy may not cover hail damage caused by a storm. 

Is There Any Kind of Ice Damage That Homeowners Insurance Does Not Cover? 

There are a few exceptions, but in general, homeowners insurance will cover most types of ice damage. One exception is damage caused by an avalanche or mudslide. These events may be covered by separate insurance policies but not by homeowners insurance.  

Another exception is damage caused by the weight of snow or ice on trees or power lines. This type of damage is usually not covered by homeowners insurance, but it may be covered by a separate policy such as property insurance or windstorm coverage. 

What If Someone Slips and Falls on Ice at My Home? 

Slipping and falling on ice can cause serious injuries, and in some cases, a person may even die. If someone slips and falls on ice at your home, you could be held liable for their injuries or the wrongful death of a loved one. This is why it is important to carry liability coverage as part of your homeowners insurance policy.  

If someone slips and falls on ice at your home, you will need to report this incident to your insurance company immediately so that they can ensure that any potential claims get reported in a timely manner. Once the claim has been made against you by the injured party’s attorney, it will go through an evaluation process where both parties’ attorneys try to reach an amicable settlement without having to go through litigation (lawsuits). If the case does go to the courts, your personal liability coverage will take care of legal costs up to your policy’s limits.  

What Should I Do If My Home Has Ice Damage? 

If your home has ice damage, it is important to take action quickly. The first thing you should do is contact your insurance company. They can help you with the process of filing a claim and getting reimbursement for repairs or replacement costs associated with the incident at hand (if applicable). Your insurance agent may also be able to provide information about what kinds of coverage are included in their policies as well as any exclusions that may apply based on where you live. Get in touch with your local independent insurance agent to find out more about how your homeowners coverage covers ice-related incidents.