How Do You Get a Pacific Northwest Home Ready for Winter?

Usually yes when the pipe bursts suddenly and you took reasonable care of the home, such as keeping the heat on. What is generally not covered is damage a carrier considers preventable neglect, like leaving a vacant house unheated through a freeze. Policies differ on this, so the specific wording in yours is what decides it. Send it to us and we will find the clause.

Wind is a covered peril on a standard homeowners policy, so a limb through the roof and the resulting water damage generally are covered, subject to your deductible. What often is not is a roof failing from age and wear rather than from the storm. Carriers look at the condition of the roof, which is one more reason to replace damaged shingles before winter rather than after.

Shut the water off at the main, then call us at 360-573-3080 during office hours or use the claim line for your carrier if it is after hours. Take photos before you clean up, and keep receipts for anything you spend drying the place out, because those are often reimbursable. Stopping the water and documenting it matter most in the first hour.

Some of it. Knowing where the water shutoff is and keeping the heat on in a cold snap are worth doing in a rental too. The building itself is the landlord's policy, but your own belongings and your liability are not, which is what a renters policy is for.