Why It’s Smart to Review Your Home Insurance Before Winter Hits

As temperatures drop and winter approaches, many homeowners focus on preparing their homes for snow, ice, and freezing temperatures — cleaning gutters, sealing windows, scheduling furnace checkups, and stocking up on cold-weather essentials. 

But there’s one important task that often gets overlooked: reviewing your home insurance policy.

A quick policy checkup can provide peace of mind, prevent financial surprises, and ensure you’re fully protected against seasonal risks. Here’s why now is the perfect time to take a closer look at your coverage.

1. Winter Weather Brings Increased Risk of Damage

Snowstorms, ice dams, frozen pipes, and roof leaks are common winter realities. While your homeowners policy may cover many of these issues, coverage can vary, especially if damage is considered preventable.

By reviewing your policy now, you can confirm:

• What types of winter damage are covered

• Any maintenance responsibilities required to preserve coverage

• Whether your deductible makes sense for potential winter claims
  

2. Home Upgrades or Changes May Not Be Reflected

Have you made improvements over the past year, like finishing a basement, renovating a kitchen, or building a deck? Updates can increase your home’s value, which means your current policy may not fully cover the replacement cost.

Ensuring your insurance reflects your home today helps prevent out-of-pocket surprises later.

3. Personal Belongings May Need Updated Coverage

Holiday shopping, new electronics, jewelry, or sports equipment can quickly raise the value of what you own. If your personal property limit hasn’t been updated recently, it may not cover new purchases or high-value items.

This is also a great time to:

• Create or update a home inventory

• Consider scheduled coverage for valuables
  

4. Liability Protection Matters in Snow & Ice Season

Slippery steps, icy walkways, and increased visitors (holidays, gatherings, deliveries) may elevate liability risks. Reviewing your policy ensures you have sufficient liability protection in case of accidental injuries on your property.

5. You May Find Savings or Better Options

A policy review might reveal opportunities to:

• Bundle and save

• Increase discounts for renovations or safety devices

• Adjust deductibles for lower premiums
  

A quick conversation could help optimize coverage without overspending.

Get Winter-Ready With Cushman Insurance

A few minutes now could save stress, time, and unexpected costs later. Our team can walk you through your current policy, identify any gaps, and help tailor coverage for your home, belongings, and lifestyle.

Ready to review your policy? We’re here to help — before the first snowflake falls.

👉 Contact Cushman Insurance to schedule a winter coverage checkup.