Winter Insurance. Is it necessary?
If you already have insurance coverage for your home and auto and you’re paid up, the initial answer is “no”. But, we recommend that you thoroughly review your home and auto coverages for the winter months. Winter insurance should be considered or evaluated considering that most most accidents occur in the Winter months and being here in Illinois, winter can be long.
SHOULD I INCREASE MY CAR INSURANCE DURING WINTER MONTHS?
Many insurers and even common sense would say yes. We too think it’s a good idea. Statistically, each year, 24% of weather-related vehicle crashes occur on snowy, slushy or icy pavement and 15% happen during snowfall or sleet. This alone suggests that you may want to beef up your automobile insurance for winter months. Consider that prorated throughout the insurance year, your rate may only increase slightly.
HOLIDAYS ALSO ADD INCREASED VULNERABILITY
We love the holidays as much as the next person. All those twinkling lights, electric cords, chestnuts roasting over an open fire, the fire place raging in the living room, the Christmas tree in all its glory…these things can also subject your home to vulnerability. Another reason to consider an increase in your homeowner’s insurance during the winter months.
WINTER STORMS CAN RAISE HAVOC WITH HOMES AND HOMEOWNERS
As homeowners, we experience influences that are out of our control. These things can greatly affect the safety of our home. During winter, these influences increase. Power outages due to a winter storm or blizzard can affect homes in a number of ways. Everything from potential pipe bursts to unattended candles (for light) can devastate a home. Playing it safe is always best. And, adding a second layer of homeowner’s insurance during these winter months should also be considered.
INCREASING YOUR INSURANCE CAN MEAN INCREASING YOUR DEDUCTIBLE.
Sound crazy? This is where a knowledgeable insurance agent can REALLY help. Understanding how increasing your deductible will decrease your payments and thus can actually give you better insurance. A bigger bang for the buck and increased coverage all at the same time. Win-Win!
Deer/Auto collisions increase during the winter months.
WINTER INSURANCE CAN PROTECT YOUR PROPERTY IN MANY WAYS
• Frozen Pipes: The average claim is $7,479
• Wind Damage: Average claim is $7,000
• Snow & Ice: Average home claim is $4,757
WINTER SNOW IS A HEAVY
Consider that snow weighs about 62.4 pounds per cubic foot. Drifted/Compacted snow can weigh as much as 20 pounds or more. An average 2-car garage is about 484 square feet.
CAN AUTO INSURANCE INCLUDE FREE ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE AS AN ADD ON IN THE WINTER MONTHS?
Some national insurance brands like Allstate® offer road-side assistance under the Allstate® Motor Club as an option under their auto insurance policies. A plan like this is usually less than road-side assistance plans like AAA because it’s bundled within the Insurance Policy. For more information on these options and how it can benefit you as an insured motorist, email us at info@insuredadvice.com or call to speak to one of our insurance agents, (331) 223-9788.
