10 things to Know About Winter Risk

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Standard homeowners and renters policies cover winter-related disasters such as burst pipes, ice dams and wind damage caused by weight of ice or snow, as well as fire-related losses. Water damage and freezing account for almost 22 percent of all homeowners insurance claims, with an average of $4,024 per claim. —Insurance Information Institute
Flooding related to snow melting can overburden sewer systems, causing raw sewage to back up into the drains in the home. But sewer back-up is not covered under a typical homeowners or renters policy, nor is it covered by flood insurance. This type of coverage needs to be purchased either as a separate product or as an endorsement. —Insurance Information Institute
From 1994 to 2013, winter storms resulted in approximately $26.6 billion in insured catastrophe losses in the U.S. (adjusted to 2013 dollars), or more than $1 billion a year on average. —ISO’s Property Claim Services (PCS)
In 2007-2011, U.S. fire departments responded to an estimated annual average of 230 home structure fires that began with Christmas trees. Home Christmas tree fires caused an average of six civilian deaths, 22 civilian injuries, and $18.3 million in direct property damage per year during that period. Although Christmas tree fires are not common, when they do occur, they are likely to be serious. —National Fire Protection Association
Holiday lights and other decorative lighting with line voltage were involved in an estimated average of 150 home structure fires per year in 2007-2011. These fires caused an average of nine civilian deaths, 16 civilian injuries, and $8.4 million in direct property damage per year. —National Fire Protection Association
The top three days for home candle fires are Christmas, New Year’s Day and Christmas Eve. —National Fire Protection Association
On average, there are more than 5.87 million vehicle crashes each year and approximately 23 percent of these crashes—nearly 1,312,000 —are weather-related. Among the weather-related crashes, 17 percent occur during snow or sleet—Ten-year averages from 2002 to 2012 analyzed by Booz Allen Hamilton, based on data by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Highway Administration
In 2012, more than 65,000 people were injured while participating in the winter sports of snowmobiling, snowboarding and ice skating and required treatment in emergency rooms. During a 10 year period ending in 2012, about 41.5 people have died skiing/snowboarding per year on average. —National Safety Council, National Ski Areas Association
When hosting a holiday party, hosts should look to the liability portion of their homeowners or renters policy to protect themselves if they are sued and found liable for an accident involving a guest who drank or got sick after consuming food at their home. Consumers should review their liability coverage limits to ensure they are adequately covered should an accident or illness occur. —Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Inc.
In many states, party hosts can be held liable if a guest is involved in an alcohol-related accident. Many courts have found hosts liable for damages their party guests cause as a result of consuming alcohol and then driving motor vehicles. Many states have also enacted statutes that can be interpreted as mandating non-commercial social host liability. —Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America Inc.