Particularly in colder regions, ice dams may become a major worry for homeowners when winter arrives. Frozen snow accumulations around roof edges may not pose a significant threat, but if they back up and penetrate a home’s structure, it could cause significant water damage. Given how expensive these repairs may be, it is important to know if homeowners insurance could cover damage from an ice dam.
Homeowners may better plan for potential winter dangers by knowing how ordinary policies handle this issue, what exclusions can apply, and how preventative steps might impact coverage. This article clarifies what is normally covered and offers advice on how to protect against winter-related hazards by examining the specifics of homeowners insurance plans about ice dam damage.
What Is Ice Dam
When the snow on your roof begins to melt and flows into the gutters and eaves, an ice dam is created. An ice ridge that forms on your roof and gutter due to water refreezing can spread up your roof and act as a barrier when further freezes take place.
As the ice dam grows, it may obstruct your gutters, making it impossible for water to flow. This might result in an even bigger ice dam and water pools that could seep into your walls and roof and cause serious damage. Moreover, water leaks, shingle damage, and even a roof collapse require expensive repairs.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Ice Dam Damage
Your homeowners insurance might cover various types of ice dam damage, but not all. It can only cover the interior damage caused by melting ice, roof damage (rarely impacting shingles), and loss of use if the damage necessitates relocation. Additionally, your homeowners insurance will probably pay for these claims if water from an ice dam leaks through the eaves and destroys walls. Furthermore, damage to walls, ceilings, baseboards, flooring, paint, and water mitigation techniques are among the often covered claims.
When Does Homeowners Insurance Not Cover Ice Dam Damage
Your homeowners insurance policy may exclude some structures from coverage due to damage caused by freezing, thawing, or water or ice weight. The following structures are frequently impacted by this exclusion:
- Patios, swimming pools, pavement, and fences
- Any structures that support a building or other structure on the property, such as walls, bulkheads, and foundations
- Docks, wharves, and piers
- Retaining walls
Additionally, your insurance might not pay for the repairs if your roof is already in bad shape and an ice dam gradually causes water damage. Furthermore, a leaky roof is preventable with regular maintenance, and homeowners insurance doesn’t cover damage caused by neglect.
Can Ice Dams Cause Roof Damage
Ice dams may appear safe, but during Wisconsin’s winter months, they can pose major problems both inside and outside. For example, they could result in water backing up beneath loose shingles and leaking into the house, or they could cause structural damage from untreated water damage.
Roofs sustain the most damage due to a variety of factors. Roof damage examples include:
- Attics condensation
- Roof sheathing damage
- Roof leaks
- Water stains on walls
- Water damage to the ceiling
- Mildew and mold
- Rot in attic framing
- Drooping plasterboard
- Roof collapse
Roof damage can result in significant costs for house repairs and other charges. Furthermore, speak with a roof damage insurance attorney right now if you think you have a legitimate claim that your insurer is refusing to fairly pay.
Does Homeowners Insurance Cover the Cost of Ice Dam Damage Removal
Homeowners insurance will probably cover the cost of ice removal and repairs if the ice dam causes damage to your house. However, preventative coverage is not offered by homeowners insurance. Therefore, your insurance provider won’t cover the cost of removing the ice dam if it hasn’t yet resulted in any structural damage.
You will need to wait for the ice dam to melt, remove it yourself, or hire a professional to do it if it is on your roof and isn’t causing any damage. Additionally, removing an ice dam costs $1,200. However, the cost of ice dam installation can vary from $400 to $4,000, depending on factors like the size of the ice dam and the roof type.
How to Prevent Ice Dams
Being preventive is the best way to avoid ice dams and save you the trouble of maintenance and insurance. Proper insulation, drainage, and ventilation are all methods to prevent this issue from becoming a costly catastrophe.
As winter approaches, you should do the following actions:
- Remove any trash and leaves from your gutters.
- Inspect and seal vent pipes, exhaust fans, and light fixtures that may allow warm air to escape from your house and into the attic.
- Look for indications of inadequate ventilation.
- Prevent snow from building up on your roof’s lower portions.
Does Filing an Ice Dam Damage Claim Worth It
The type and extent of the damage determine whether to make an ice dam damage claim. Regular claims might make it more difficult to get insurance and raise prices. Paying for the damage yourself is preferable to submitting a claim to your insurance company if it is minimal.
Therefore, contact your insurer if the damage is significant and make a claim if fixing your roof would cost a lot of money. You should receive reimbursement from your insurance company up to the policy limitations. The extent of the damage to your house determines whether you should make a claim. To lessen the financial load, get in touch with your insurer if it’s not a minor and refrain from filing if it is.