As spring draws nearer and temperatures begin to rise, snow and ice storms will thankfully start to become a distant memory. There can be risks associated with the thawing and melting that occurs this time of the year, however, and that can cause damage and increased risk.

Home Insurance and Melting Snow

Damage to your home from melting snow may or may not be covered by your homeowners insurance. It all depends on the type of damage because a homeowners insurance policy will typically cover water damage, but not water damage due to flooding. For example, if melting snow were to leak into your home through a broken or faulty window, that water damage would likely be covered by your homeowners insurance. If melting snow in your yard were to cause water to start running into your basement, that would likely be considered flooding and not covered by your homeowners insurance. Instead, you’d need flood insurance to cover that damage.

Winterizing your home and checking for potential leaks before the snow starts to melt will help your home avoid damage. You may want to give your insurance agent a call to review what is and isn’t covered by your homeowners insurance when it comes to water damage and review whether you should consider flood insurance.

Flood Insurance and Melting Snow

Flood insurance can be helpful in recovering from flood damage from melting snow. There’s a heck of a lot of water in a snowbank - a 1,000 square foot roof with a foot of snow contains about 2,500 gallons of water. Imagining that leaking into your basement may have you reaching for your phone to speak with an insurance agent about flood insurance. We don’t blame you.

It’s important to note that flood insurance typically has a 30-day waiting period before coverage kicks in. Your insurance agent can help advise you on coverage and any important information to note before buying a policy.

Auto Insurance and Melting Snow

Melting snow can help make roads safer as snowbanks recede and the snow melts away, eventually leaving dry roads. However, while the snow is melting, slick patches of water and ice can be extremely dangerous. Even experienced drivers can be caught off guard by runoff from melting snow.

Until the snow has melted completely, remember to drive carefully and obey the speed limit. Review your auto insurance coverage to see if comprehensive and collision coverage may make sense for you. Those are the coverages you’d likely need if slipping on snow runoff were to cause damage to your car.

Toy Insurance and Melting Snow

Your home and car aren’t the only assets that could be affected by the melting snow. If you have a motorcycle or boat, you’ll want to take caution during the pre-spring thaw, too. Your boat may be stowed away for winter, but take some time to give a check for freezing or water damage. If the snow melting has you eager to get your bike back out on the road, be careful! The snow runoff could be incredibly dangerous when riding your motorcycle. Before putting your boat back on the water or getting your motorcycle back on the road, don’t forget to call your insurance agent to adjust your insurance policies to in-season coverage levels.

Bottom Line

The melting snow is a signal that spring is coming, but it’s not without its own winter risks. Consider flood insurance and speak with your insurance agent to better determine your risk.