-         If you’re away from home for four days or longer, make sure your plumbing system is drained or someone is checking your home daily to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Most home insurance [...]]]>  British Columbia is expecting severe winter conditions this year. To keep you and your home safe, we pass on this information:

 -         If you’re away from home for four days or longer, make sure your plumbing system is drained or someone is checking your home daily to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting. Most home insurance policies will not cover water damage due to frozen burst pipes unless these actions are taken.

-         When it starts to snow, watch for heavy accumulation on roofs, canopies, greenhouses, etc. as these can collapse under the weight of snow. Keep your stairs and walkways free of snow to avoid costly “slip & fall” claims.

-         Make sure your drain tiles and drainage around your home are free of obstructions as these are the cause of flooding and sewer back-up. The cost to have it checked by a plumber is usually less than your insurance deductible.

-         Maintain and secure your fences and trees to avoid windstorm damage.

-         Use caution and common sense when using candles in your home. Have fire extinguishers and smoke detectors nearby.

 To see examples of actual claims we’ve experienced over the years, visit our “Tales From The Claims File” at http://kamiinsurance.com/news/claims/tales-from-the-claims-file/

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before and after photos of a lovely backyard tent that couldn’t handle the weight of snow.

Check out more types of claims in our “Tales from the claims file” page under the “Claims” tab.

We rarely have to worry about freezing pipes but [...]]]> Almost every home insurance  policy contains a little-known exclusion that states “…water damage caused by freezing (pipes) is NOT COVERED if you are away from home for FOUR CONSECUTIVE DAYS or longer UNLESS you have drained the plumbing OR arranged for someone to check the house daily”……

We rarely have to worry about freezing pipes but all it takes is a few days of cold weather and the failure of your furnace; We’ve seen it happen to people who left for winter vacation and didn’t take precautions. So before you leave for sunny beaches, take a moment to shut off your water at the main line or have a reliable friend enter the house every day to make sure the heat is on. Even if you don’t go away in the winter, shut off the water supply to your outdoor taps to prevent those from freezing.