Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/561260
Are You Covered for Winter? Cold weather can take a toll on your house, so make sure you have the right home insurance for the season. Here's how: Review your policy. All policies contain exclusions and limitations, and no policy covers every possible loss or situation. As well, some policies offer actual cash value coverage (which takes depreciation into consider- ation), while others cover full replacement cost (replacing your property with new items of similar kind and quality). It is important to review your policy to ensure that you fully understand your coverage. Don't hesitate to ask your broker for clarification on any wording. Add sewer backup coverage. This is a crucial precaution for the spring melt. Home- owners often don't think about water damage until it happens and not all home policies automatically include it. If you go away, have someone check on your home. You should do this year-round, but particularly in the winter, given the risk of freezing and bursting pipes. Make sure you call your broker before you leave to review the requirements of your policy when you are away. HOME SWEET HOME 50 G O I N G P L A C E S | F A L L 2 0 1 5 istock Winter-Proof Your Home 10 EASY STEPS TO PREP FOR THE SEASON by Caitlin Rooney In Manitoba, the white stuff can make an appearance as early as October. Follow this to-do list and spend winter indoors, warm and cozy, rather than outside making repairs in the frosty air – or worse, calling your insurance broker to make a major claim. 1 Clean leaves and debris out of eavestroughs, window wells, gutters and downspouts, and test to ensure proper drainage from the roof, to keep water from pooling and freezing. 2 Clear ground clutter, such as sticks and lawn ornaments, which can become tripping hazards come snowfall. 3 Trim shrubs and trees to keep branches from breaking and blowing onto the house. 4 Turn off outdoor water taps and bring in hoses (water inside hoses might freeze and expand, causing damage). 5 Ensure stair handrails are sturdy and secure. When it gets slippery, you'll need to grip them. 6 Clear the chimney of obstructions, such as birds' nests and built-up creo- sote, a solidified flammable gas. 7 Check the roof for loose or broken shingles or flashing, and patch if necessary. 8 Have your furnace checked by a professional. Change the filter if needed (do this every three months, or sooner if the filter looks dirty). 9 Install carbon monoxide detectors. e risk of carbon monoxide poisoning increases when furnaces are in frequent use and leaks are more likely. 10 Move flammable materials and electric appliances away from heating devices. GP If something happens to your home, are you covered for additional living expenses, such as a hotel? Talk to your insurance broker to find out.