Spring is here! Many look to this time of the year as the end of worrying about the havoc weather can cause on their property. Unfortunately, this is not the case. Extreme weather can cause billions of dollars in damages every year. Being prepared for such risks is a key way to avoid this hazard. Keep these handy hints close at hand to get your home or business ready for any surprises spring may throw your way!

Examine and protect your property

Ice and snow can wreak havoc to a property. These “gifts” winter brings can cause harm to parts of a building that are supposed to keep it strong. Taking a look at important areas of your property and protecting it are key to prevent any future risks as spring makes its arrival. Look out for cracks to your foundation and install flood shields to keep water out of openings of your property. This can save you from incurring expensive repairs due to weather damage.

Empty your pipes

Water damage is one of the leading causes of insurance claims. Incidents such as the spring thaw, sewer backup, or a sump pump failure can do physical and financial harm to the property. One way to avoid this type of damage from happening is by draining your pipes. If you are unsure how to perform this procedure, you can hire a qualified professional plumber to handle this task. Not looking over your pipes and experiencing water damage can also result in changes to the rate of your insurance policy.

Protect important documents

If damage does occur on your property, important items, such as records for credit cards, government documents, and tax information, could get damaged. A great solution to guarding these documents from harm would be to keep them offsite. Having these documents in a dry, protective space will allow you to access these items should your property incur damage.  

Review your policy

It is always a good idea to go over your insurance policy with your insurer. You are able to learn whether your policy is in need of updating. Reviewing your policy also helps you to think about any improvements you may need to make to your property to be ready for unexpected surprises such as floods, storms, and leaks.

Spring is a time for new beginnings, but it can also be a time for unforeseeable weather and incidents that can cause problems to your property. The tips shared here can assist policyholders to see how to provide physical and financial protection to their homes or businesses. Do you have more questions about how to protect your property from what spring can bring? Reach out to an insurance specialist for some advice!

Resources

https://www.sgicanada.ca/news?title=thaw-safely--tips-to-protect-your-home-in-the-spring-melt
http://www.ibc.ca/on/disaster/spring-season