Winter can impact your home more than any other season, and you may end up with an unsightly snow damaged roof.
Heavy snowfall, ice, ice dams, and water from melted snow are the main culprits of this type of damage. Learn more about home insurance policies as they pertain to snow damage below.
Potentially Covered Damage
A homeowner’s insurance policy may cover damage that is a direct result of winter weather events, including:
- Damage from wind-driven snow
- A tree collapsing on your home
- Frozen or burst pipes
- Roof collapse
- Ice dams
However, it is important to note that not all policies are crafted the same, so what one company covers may not be covered by another company, and vice-versa. Moreover, most insurance providers require policyholders to take reasonable steps to prevent losses.
For instance, if the damage was preventable and occurred due to your negligence in part, your claim may be denied. We recommend going over your policy carefully. If you are unsure of what is and is not covered, talk to your insurance agent.
The best step you can take to preserve your roof’s integrity is to incorporate snow damage prevention into your home maintenance checklist.
Expert Tips to Prevent Snow Damage
Routine home maintenance is a must to get your claim paid. If you ever need to file a claim, these preventative measures may help strengthen your case.
Prune Your Trees: Strong gusts of wind and snowstorms can cause your trees to blow away, damaging your roof.
Clean Your Gutters Each Fall: Leaves and other debris can cause water to back up, freezing your gutters in the winter
Point Downspouts Away: When snow begins to melt, the water will not be able to pool around your foundation if you point your downspouts away.
Keep Track of Snowfall: Unfortunately, some storms can drop huge amounts of snow on your roof. The Roof Doctor can clear snow from your roof in a safe and effective manner.
Schedule Routine Maintenance: The sooner a problem is caught, the sooner it can be fixed, which is why our professional roofers encourage preventative care. We conduct annual maintenance checks to make sure everything’s on the up and up.
Contact The Roof Doctor
A snow damaged roof is a burden that no homeowner should have to deal with. The Roof Doctor can perform annual routine maintenance on your roof and ensure that your roof is in top condition. In the event that your roof is damaged due to snow and you file an insurance claim, we can review the Statement of Loss from your provider and note any items they may have missed.
We serve various cities across Utah, including Salt Lake City, Tooele, Ogden, Layton, Orem, Provo, Bountiful, and more. Get in touch with us today for a free estimate.