Quick Guide to Common Winter Home Insurance Claims

Winter cold temperatures and harsh storms can lead to power outages and burst pipes. You may be grateful for home insurance, where you can make claims when these accidents happen. However, did you know that its claims can raise your overall next year’s premiums? Being aware of the top five winter homeowners insurance claims can help prevent such damage and consequent repair bills. The most common winter home insurance claims.

These are the Most Common Winter Home Insurance Claims:

Frozen Pipes

The frozen water in a pipe can make the pipe burst, thus resulting in extensive water damage and mold. Most home insurance policies cover burst pipe damage. Your dwelling coverage covers home repair costs, and personal property coverage pays for damaged belongings.

Snow and Ice Damage

During winter, various forms of snow and ice damage to your home can occur. For example, ice accumulates on the roof after a thaw and freeze cycle where the weight causes structural roof damage. Ice dams can also cause heavy ice buildup and trigger wall and ceiling mold problems. Ice dams occur when melted snow runs down the roof and freezes before draining off the edge.

House Fires

Yes, house fires are pretty common in winter due to cooking fires around Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and Christmas Eve, and candle fires on Christmas day. Home heating and lighting can trigger house fires due to space heaters and holiday lights.

Wind and Hail Damage

There’s no doubt that your house will protect you from wind and hail. However, did you ever realize how much your home suffers from it? Always check your home and roof for damages immediately after a hailstorm so that you can promptly file a claim. It’s better than noticing the damage only after some time and ending up with your claim denied.

Personal Injury Liability

Icy driveways or stairs and falling debris or icicles are dangerous for you and visitors. You end up liable for personal injuries incurred on your property.

Preventive Measures Worth Adopting:

It doesn’t matter what the cause for damage is. Adopting preventive actions can help avoid a disaster and winter home insurance claims.

Tips to Avoid Frozen and Burst Pipes:

• Keep water running by dripping both hot and cold water lines to prevent freezing and relieve pressure in pipes.
• Cover pipes exposed to chill temperatures with sleeves or newspapers.
• Shut off the water if a pipe freezes and thaw the frozen water with a heated pad or hairdryer.
• Drain and disconnect garden hoses and sprinkler supply lines before winter sets in.
• Install leak detection technology or a water shutoff device. It alerts you when a leak appears so that you can shut off the water or make appropriate repairs.
• Maintain a consistent indoor temperature below 60 degrees if you aren’t at home for an extended period.
• Leave under-sink cabinet doors open to facilitate warm air circulation around the pipes.

Tips to Avoid Ice Dams on the Roof:

• Keep your attic properly insulated.
• Use heat cables and rubberized shingles to prevent ice dams from forming
• Keep all gutters clear of debris to facilitate the proper draining of melted snow
• Increase attic ventilation

Tips to Avoid Fallen Tree Branches:

• Regularly trim trees
• Remove dead trees or tree limbs

Tips to Prevent House Fires:

• Use flashlights instead of candles during power outages
• Turn off all electric appliances after continual use
• Water Christmas trees so that they don’t dry and become fire hazards
• Do not use the stove to heat your home
• Install a screen in front of the fireplace
• Professionally cleaning the fireplace annually
• Keep portable heating devices at least three feet from anything flammable
• Regularly test smoke alarms
• No unattended burning candles and food on the stovetop

Tips to Prevent Slipping and Falling on the Ground:

• Keep sidewalks, porches, and outdoor steps clear of snow and ice
• Know the bylaws for inclement weather
• Melt the ice using a ground treatment like salt or warm water or a natural deicer of rubber alcohol, hot water, and dish soap.

Tips to Help You File an Accurate Home Insurance Claim:

• Take pictures immediately for accurate proof of the severity of damage in a claim.
• Make temporary repairs to prevent further damage to your home
• Save all receipts of services and supplies to submit with your claim
• Know your insurance limits and exclusions

What Does Home Insurance Cover in Winter?

Home insurance policies cover most wind, rain, snow, or ice damages. It also covers additional living expenses if your house becomes uninhabitable due to the damages and you need to stay somewhere.

Standard Home Insurance Covers Damage From:

Falling snow Fallen tree limbs Freezing rain or snow Wind to your house, roof, or other insured structures Weight of accumulated snow on your house Ice and frozen or burst pipes

What Doesn’t Home Insurance Cover in Winter?

The insurer’s declarations page lists what is covered, while the policy’s exclusions section lists out what isn’t covered. However, it’s always better to ask your insurance agent or company what your home insurance policy doesn’t cover. For example, most policies do not cover: Flood damage from melting snow or heavy rain Cosmetic damages caused by wind and hail Damages due to negligence or poor property maintenance Also, Your claim may also be denied if you weren’t living at the property when the damage occurred. Check your personal property limits as some items like antiques and jewelry have lower limits than other belongings. You may require additional coverage if you have lots of valuables. Preferred Insurance Agency of La Crosse is the La Crosse area’s #1 insurance company. We have the unique advantage of being able to run your home insurance quote through multiple insurance providers so we can get you the best price for the same home insurance coverage. Visit our La Crosse home insurance page for a homeowners insurance quote. For directions click here.  

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The 5 Types of Auto Insurance Coverage

After so many sacrifices, budget planning, and savings, you’ve finally managed to invest in your dream car. The dream car that’s been the apple of your eye for years will now finally be in your garage. But along with that investment comes the lingering fear of the risk of something happening to your car. You want to protect your vehicle against possible theft or damage through accidents, and protect yourself from injury and unforeseen expenses. And you’ll do that by acquiring auto insurance. When you first start looking, you realize that there are multiple types of car insurance coverage available, and making the right choice might seem overwhelming. You don’t know what type of coverage you might need, nor what the minimum auto insurance coverage your state is. You might also wonder if there is any way you can save money and still get your required coverage. Well, the good news is, this quick guide will provide help. Here is a brief description of the five types of auto insurance coverage and tips to help you save on your car insurance policy.

Five Types of Car Insurance Coverage

1. Liability Insurance

Liability insurance covers property damage repair costs and your medical bills if you get involved in an accident. It provides vital extra protection if you are the at-fault party in an accident. You otherwise are responsible for claims which exceed your coverage upper limit. No one wants to end up having to pay a large amount of money just because your claim exceeds your policy limits! While most states have a minimum liability insurance coverage requirement for drivers, it’s better to have more if you can afford it.

2. Collision Coverage

Collision coverage pays for auto repairs in a covered accident. It even bears the value of your car if it’s totaled, and the repair costs exceed your car cost. Depending on the value, it may sometimes not be worth having collision coverage if you have an older car. However, if you have a new or expensive car, then collision coverage proves helpful at getting you back to where you were before the accident. If you are paying off an auto loan, you are most likely required to carry collision coverage as part of your policy.

3. Comprehensive Coverage

It’s not always an accident that makes you claim insurance coverage. There may be situations where something unrelated to an automobile accident damages your car. For example, it may have borne the brunt of weather damage, gotten hit by deer, or gotten stolen. In these instances you may wonder if your insurance company will cover the loss. While collision and liability insurance covers accidents, it doesn’t provide coverage in these situations. This is where you need comprehensive coverage. This insurance coverage is indeed expensive but worth having if you can afford it, and you may be able to save some money if you have anti-theft and tracking devices installed in your car. While it’s necessary if you are a lienholder, you may not require it if your car can be easily replaced.

4. Personal Injury Protection

Unlike comprehensive coverage, which you needn’t necessarily purchase, you may want to include personal injury protection coverage as part of your car insurance policy, because the injuries sustained in an accident can get expensive and complicated. And you don’t want to end up with added medical bills and costs. Personal injury protection helps cover medical costs. It covers not just yours but also your passengers’ medical bills. And it doesn’t even matter who was at fault for the accident.

5. Uninsured or Underinsured Motorist Protection

While all drivers are required to have auto insurance, unfortunately, some don’t. So there’s always the risk of you ending up in an accident with someone who doesn’t have insurance. And you won’t receive a payment if they don’t have coverage. This is a scenario you want to avoid at all costs. There’s also the risk of the driver having only liability insurance. The problem here is that many states have a relatively low minimum liability coverage requirement. So there’s the chance that it may not be enough to cover all of your accident expenses. In this case, you end up receiving a lower amount of money than necessary to cover the cost of vehicular damages and personal injuries. Uninsured or underinsured motorist protection will help with your expenses, and most likely something you will be interested in having since a 2021 study shows that about 1 in 8 drivers are uninsured! The good news is that it’s relatively inexpensive to add uninsured/underinsured motorist protection to your existing policy. Besides, it can prove really helpful if you end up in an accident with an uninsured or underinsured motorist! There you go! You now have a much better understanding of the five types of car insurance coverage available. It’s up to you to decide which coverage you should and preferably must get based on your budget and coverage needs.   To help get you protected, contact Preferred Insurance Agency today and we’ll save you money on your same auto insurance policy or better, and make sure you and your family are protected from the unexpected. We’re serving providing the La Crosse and Onalaska with the best auto insurance prices and customer service. We serve the  surrounding areas of Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin as well. Call (608) 881-6566 visit us at 401 King Street, La Crosse. Or submit our online quote form, and we’ll get back to you shortly.

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How to Save Money on Car Insurance | Preferred Insurance Agency of La Crosse #shorts

#car #insurance #la-crosse #wisconsin #shorts How to Save Money on Car Insurance Paying for Car Insurance month after month seems like a pain, that is, until you need it. Just because auto insurance is required doesn’t mean there aren’t ways to save money. 1) Shop Multiple Insurance Providers 2) Combine Your Insurance Policies 3) Claim Any Insurance Discounts 4) Pay-by-the-Mile Insurance Policy 5) Reduce Your Insurance Coverage 6) Pay Your Bill Semi-Annually 7) Compare Insurance Prices Annually Taking the time to call us right now or fill out the form above could be a great way to add more money to your purse or wallet for the essentials required for taking care of your family. Similar Videos: https://youtu.be/gBcU3qc_m1g https://youtu.be/_5KCmrJRMoc Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUgMAGwgSu90uk8KAPjZ38_dBox4hBlCP https://www.preferredlax.com/la-crosse-wisconsin/auto-insurance/ https://preferredinsurance.tumblr.com/post/617387291900592128/how-to-save-money-on-car-insurance-during-a

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Can I Repair My Own Vehicle After Filing an Auto Insurance Claim?

Can I Repair My Own Vehicle After Filing an Auto Insurance Claim? Some drivers out there may have the skills to do their own auto repairs and may want to save money on repair expenses after an accident where the vehicle is destroyed or damaged. So what should you do after an accident and you have filed an auto insurance claim? Are you able to repair the vehicle yourself? In this article we’ll explain if this is something you can do without worry. More: https://www.preferredlax.com/can-i-repair-my-own-vehicle-after-filing-and-auto-insurance-claim/ Preferred Insurance Auto Insurance of La Crosse, WI https://www.preferredlax.com/la-crosse-wisconsin/auto-insurance/ #lacrossewi #carinsurance #autoinsurance Similar Videos: https://youtu.be/gBcU3qc_m1g Playlists: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUgMAGwgSu90uk8KAPjZ38_dBox4hBlCP

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Community: What is There to Do on Halloween in the La Crosse Area?

The La Crosse area has much to offer its residents with the bluffs and the river to enjoy in the summer, and now we can enjoy the crisp fall air and beautiful colors of the trees, but what is there to do on Halloween in the La Crosse Area. Well, in an effort to give back to the community we've created a guide to The Best Decorated Halloween Houses in La Crosse so now you don't have to wait until Halloween Night to do something spooky. This list of all of some of the best Halloween Houses in the Coulee Region, will make it easy for you to have all of the information all in one place including, name, address, viewing hours, and even a little bit of information about each display. We've also included a Best Halloween Houses of La Crosse Map so you know exactly where do go and it conveniently opens in Google Maps. If you've got kids, this will be the perfect Halloween Activity to enjoy, before the holiday or even make Tick or Treating, all that much more enjoyable. Sponsored by Preferred Insurance Agency of La Crosse Home Insurance

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Can I Repair My Own Vehicle After Filing an Auto Insurance Claim?

Some drivers out there may have the skills to do their own auto repairs and may want to save money on repair expenses after an accident where the vehicle is destroyed or damaged. So what should you do after an accident and you have filed an auto insurance claim? Are you able to repair the vehicle yourself? In this article we'll explain if this is something you can do without worry.

Can I Repair My Own Vehicle After an Auto Insurance Claim if It is Fully Paid Off?

If you have successfully paid off your entire vehicle there is a great chance that your auto insurer will allow you to perform the repairs yourself. In this case, you are able to use the check sent to you from the auto insurance company for whatever you please. Technically speaking you wouldn't even need to repair the vehicle with the payout.

Can I Repair My Own Vehicle After a Car Insurance Claim if I am Still Paying it Off?

In this case, your auto loan lender is actually, in a sense, a co-owner of the vehicle. Because of this, most lenders prefer to do vehicle repairs with a licensed auto-mechanic. If you just happen to be a licensed auto mechanic, then reach out to your insurance company and find out if this is something they will allow.

You Will Need A Quote From a Mechanic

Regardless of whether you want to undertake the project of repairing your vehicle yourself or take it in to be fixed by a certified mechanic, you will still need to take the vehicle in to a certified mechanic in order for them to assess the damage to you car, truck, motorcycle, or other vehicle and provide a credible estimate of how much it will cost to repair all damage that you can submit to the insurance adjuster. Because the potential for insurance scams exist, your insurance company will require what they consider to be a "real" estimate from a certified professional. Otherwise people may provide inflated repair cost estimates in order to get more money from the insurance company than would actually be required to fully repair the vehicle.

How Do I Find Out if I Can Repair My Own Vehicle After An Accident?

One thing you definitely want to do is find out if you are allowed to repair the vehicle yourself after filing a claim. You don't want to go ahead and do the repairs yourself only to find out this is not allowed per your car insurance policy and you end up paying all of the expenses out-of-pocket. The best thing for you to do to find out whether or not it is ok to repair your own vehicle after an accident is to reach out to your insurance company or insurance agent, they will be able to give you accurate information as to whether it is ok for you to go ahead with repairs or not. Another option would be to actually go ahead and read your insurance policy to see if it gives information on what to do in this situation. If it does, you will have a better understanding on what to do in this situation, if not, as mentioned above, reach out to your insurance agency or insurance company for the best information on how to move forward. Preferred Insurance Agency has helped countless drivers obtain car insurance and make the process easy by making sure you have the coverage you need. We can find you affordable car insurance in Wisconsin and we have local agents that you can speak with on the phone or in person. Call us now at (608) 881-6566 , fill out the online contact form above, or come in for an office visit, and stop worrying needlessly about your car insurance coverage. We’re here to put your mind at ease. Follow Us on Social Media: Facebook Tumblr Weebly Pinterest Blogger   You Might Also Be Interested In: Cheap Car Insurance in Onalaska, Wisconsin Preferred Car Insurance Wisconsin Winter Driving Tips What is the Minimum Required Car Insurance Coverage in Wisconsin? How to Save Money on Car Insurance During a Financial Emergency  

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Boat Insurance in La Crosse WI | Preferred Insurance Agency

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