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Winter Storms-Home and Auto Insurance Precautions

Winter Weather      

Winter Storms Ahead:  Are You Ready?

 We admit it: As insurance pros, our picture of winter isn’t exactly cozy.  Winter storms mean traffic snarls, streets turning to sheets of ice, and cars sliding around like hockey pucks, as you can see from the pictures above. Cold temperatures can also cause pipes to burst, frost swells and other damage. Heating your home with fireplaces and wood burning stoves can increase the risk of fire.  But you can help prevent losses by taking some precautions.

 A picture-perfect winter requires a few precautions

Here are a few of our top tips to help reduce weather-related hassles this winter.. 

  1. Winter-proof your car with good snow tires or chains, new wiper blades, antifreeze, and emergency road supplies.
  2. Take it easy on the roads, go slow and be a defensive driver.
  3.  Keep your attic cool to help prevent ice dams. Insulate the attic floor and make sure it is well-ventilated.
  4.  Do not overload circuits with heating devices.

 

When winter storms hit, be smart

If you do not have to drive, stay put. If you must drive, make sure you have winterized your car and have a full tank of gas.

When the air is cold, keep bath and kitchen cabinet doors open so warm air can circulate around pipes. If pipes do freeze, let them thaw normally—they’ll be less likely to burst.
 

And if the power is out, make sure you avoid leaving candles or fires burning unattended. If you use a portable generator, follow the instructions and do not use it indoors.

 

Know what your insurance covers

Here at Gilles Smith Purdum Insurance Agency, we want to help you rest easy.  You will be more relaxed when you know you have prepared your property to lessen the chance of winter storm damage. Your homeowners insurance policy covers repair or rebuilding costs. However, your deductible does apply. Check your policy to see what is covered and to confirm the deductible you have chosen.   Depending on your coverage that you chose for your auto insurance, you may or may not have coverage, be sure you know what coverage you have and whether it will take care of your damage should you have an accident.

If you have any questions at all about your coverage, call us at 614-878-0240 or email us at info@gsp-insurance.com and we will help you review your options.

Stay safe this winter!

 

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