Winter weather in the mountains can shift quickly from “no big deal” to burst pipes, water damage, and road hazards. Recent conditions in the region (0:40-2:17) were a good reminder that preparation and the right coverage can reduce stress and out-of-pocket costs.

A simple readiness plan can limit damage when power goes out or roads become unsafe. Practical steps discussed included having a generator ready, filling a bathtub for backup water use, and keeping alternate cooking and heating options available (1:04-1:43). Even when your area avoids major damage, nearby communities can see heavy claim activity from frozen pipes and restoration demand (1:43-2:17).

Frozen pipe losses are among the most common and expensive homeowners claims (3:30-3:45). The key distinction: if pipes freeze because you lose power and cannot heat your home, that is generally covered under homeowners insurance (5:57-6:28). But if you simply fail to maintain heat, it may be excluded as neglect (6:07-6:28). Water losses are disruptive and can lead to mold issues if drying and remediation are not handled properly (8:01-8:31).

One way to reduce the severity of water losses is an automatic water shutoff device that monitors water flow and turns the water off if it detects a leak (6:29-7:05). It also helps to know where your home’s main shutoff is located, because stopping water fast can prevent thousands in additional damage (7:05-7:41).

Some insurance companies offer discounts for installing these devices (7:17-8:01). On higher-value homes, insurers may even require a shutoff system to write or keep a policy, with cancellation possible if it is not installed within a set timeframe (9:56-10:27).

A past water loss can complicate insurance placement, even if the claim occurred in another state or before the current owner purchased the home (8:31-9:56). In some cases, an agency has to work directly with underwriters to confirm the issue was fixed, properly remediated, and that risk controls are now in place (9:24-10:16). If you are buying a home, asking about prior water damage early can prevent last-minute insurance surprises (9:14-9:56).

Winter driving claims often come down to how the loss is classified.

If you slide on ice and hit a tree or another object, that is typically treated as a collision loss (14:52-15:54). While many people feel this is “not my fault,” insurers often view it as a driving-in-conditions loss, which can affect rates (15:21-15:54).

When a carrier pays a collision claim, your premium often increases, and the loss can remain on your insurance record for several years (15:54-16:28). Even when pricing impact eventually falls off, you may also lose claim-free discounts during that period (16:05-16:28).

Animal strikes (like hitting a deer) are typically comprehensive claims, not collision (16:44-17:59). Comprehensive coverage can also include losses like theft, fire, hail, windshield damage, and in many cases flood damage to a vehicle (17:25-19:05).

That matters because homeowners policies generally do not cover flood unless you have a separate flood policy, but a car with comprehensive coverage may be covered if it floods (18:25-19:05). Interior plumbing ruptures are handled differently than water coming in from outside, which is considered flood (19:05-19:27).

A few small habits can prevent big problems:

If you do not have to drive in icy conditions, stay off the roads (20:28-20:33).

Keep basic winter tools handy, like an ice scraper, especially for newcomers from warmer states (19:40-20:21).

Treat winter prep like hurricane prep: prepare for the worst and hope for the best (2:31-3:15).

Coverage depends on your specific policy language, terms, conditions, and exclusions. Talk with a licensed agent about how it applies to your situation (20:55-21:17).