Preparing Your Home for Winter = Savings on Home Insurance

Even though the winter season is still a few months away, now is the best time to start thinking about winterizing your home to prevent future damage and costly homeowners insurance claims. The fall weather is ideal for preparing your home against any hardships the seasonal elements may cause in the future. Here are some precautions you can take now to get ready for winter:

Insulating Properly

Adding insulation is an excellent way to protect your home during winter. It may seem a bit expensive, but you’ll save a substantial amount on your utility bills if your home is better insulated. You should have at least 12 inches of high quality insulation in the attic of your house.

Protect your pipes

Burst pipes are a common and expensive problem during the winter. Wrapping pipes in foam insulation can prevent them from freezing over the winter months.

Clean out gutters

Do this several times before winter sets in, especially if you have a lot of trees in your yard. You should direct gutters and downspouts away from the foundation and away from walkways or driveways to avoid icing.

Check Those Windows

This is a good time of year to check your windows. If your windows seem drafty or leaky, it’s probably time to update them and get more efficient windows. New windows are not cheap, but you’ll save a lot on your heating bills if you aren’t heating the outside of your home along with the inside.

If replacing all your windows is not in your budget, you can use plastic sheeting sold to seal your windows on the inside. These window protectors seal when you heat them with a blow dryer. You can remove them in the spring.

Check Your Furnace

Your furnace should be tuned up and cleaned every year. Replace the filters as needed, since dirty filters do not allow proper airflow. Safer furnaces are less likely to cause claims on your home insurance policy.

Check Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Check to be sure that your smoke detectors are working properly. Often, this means replacing the batteries. The detectors themselves should be replaced every 10 years.

Check around your home or property

Remove any tree branches that could become weighted down by ice or snow and fall. Examine lights outside your house to be sure they are working correctly. Repair broken stairs or banisters that could become hazardous when covered with snow and ice.

Is your home ready for all that winter throws at it? Have you considered all the things that may require service in the winter if they are not properly checked ahead of time?

Call us today and learn about the benefits of winter preparation as they apply to your home insurance premiums.