Utah’s winters can be brutal, with temperatures often falling below freezing. Depending on where you live, you may see up to a foot of snow. These conditions can quickly turn hazardous, especially if your home sustains damage during extreme weather. Fortunately, you can protect your family and property with the right homeowners insurance policy.
Understanding Homeowners Insurance in Utah
Homeowners policies cover a wide range of property damages, several of which may occur during the winter:
- Water damage from burst pipes
- Broken windows from storms
- Collapsed roof from ice dams or falling tree branches
Additionally, it covers personal liability, which is essential if a guest falls and sustains an injury on your property. An injured party may claim that, as the homeowner, you were negligent in clearing your yard of snow and ice, resulting in physical harm. If the guest sues, your insurance can cover the costs.
Of course, there are exceptions. Most homeowners insurance won’t pay for the following:
- Damage resulting from lack of maintenance
- Non-plumbing flooding
- Mold removal
- Repairs and replacements exceeding the policy limit
- Destruction due to landslides
Protecting High-Value Homes
Insurers put limits on standard policies to ensure they don’t take on too much risk. Unfortunately, that means owners of high-value homes may pay out of pocket.
The good news is that you can fully protect your property with additional coverage. For example, you can take out a high-value policy for expensive items:
- Jewelry
- Art
- Electronics
- Furniture
Similar policies cover luxury homes that cost more to repair. Finally, you can get separate flood and earthquake policies to protect your home from natural disasters.
Your agent can help you create comprehensive homeowners insurance by tailoring coverage to your needs. You may also be able to save money by being proactive. For example, weatherproofing your home and installing security cameras reduces the chance you’ll need to file a claim.
Navigating Winter-Related Risks
How can you protect your house when winter weather strikes? The first step is to identify risks. For example, if you have trees near your home, you should inspect them for dead branches, which can snap under the weight of snow. Getting your roof checked for damage is also a good idea, as snow can exacerbate it and even cause leaks.
Once you have a list of potential risks, prioritize them by their cost and likelihood of causing harm. Then, you can address the most pressing issues.
Of course, the unexpected can still happen, no matter how prepared you are. If that occurs, your homeowners insurance can ease stress by paying for alternative accommodations and displacement-related costs, such as takeout expenses.
Safeguarding Your Utah Home With Homeowners Insurance
Homeowners insurance can make or break your budget during the winter months. Without the right coverage, you can end up paying for repairs, belongings replacement, a hotel, and living expenses. Depending on the value of your property, this amount of money can be devastating to spend all at once.
Comprehensive coverage minimizes the stress on your wallet and can even make the repair process more convenient. Get a quote today to safeguard your property this winter.
About BTC Insurance Services
Founded in 2011, BTC Insurance Services has proudly served Utah businesses with comprehensive and custom-tailored insurance coverages for a decade. We pride ourselves on fostering long-term client relationships with a personalized and hands-on approach, and have established a reputation built on quality and transparency. For more information about our products and services, we invite you to contact one of our reputable agents today at (855) 944-3457, or send us a message here.
