Blog

Spring signals warmer temperatures, the return of blooms, and if you’re not prepared, some devastating damage. While there likely won’t be any melting snow to worry about this year, there are still a handful of other weather-related risks to have on your radar. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how to prepare for spring weather conditions, common insurance challenges associated with the season and steps to take in the event of property damage.

Embracing Spring – the Season of Renewal

Spring is the season of rebirth, bringing longer days, warm sun, and budding gardens. But before we can bask in all of its glory, we must first weather its storms. As they say, “April showers bring May flowers.” Spring weather conditions are notoriously unpredictable, presenting a mix of highs and lows. As temperatures rise, snow and ice begin to melt, increasing the moisture levels in the air. This, coupled with the interplay of warm and cold air masses, results in variable weather patterns including sudden temperature shifts, rain showers, thunderstorms, and dare we say snowfall in some regions. It’s important to understand the potential impact of these spring weather conditions, especially when it comes to your home and surrounding property as they can pose various risks and challenges.

Common Spring Weather Risks 

Wind Damage 

Spring storms often bring strong winds that can cause damage to nearby trees, powerlines, and homes. Falling branches or uprooted trees risk damaging roofs, vehicles and other nearby structures. High winds can also loosen shingles or siding, leading to water getting inside and possibly causing further damage indoors.

Severe Thunderstorms 

The increased temperatures of spring bring more than just added outdoor adventures. They also increase the chance of encountering severe thunderstorms. These storms feature strong winds, hail, lightning, and heavy rainfall, posing a serious threat to your home’s exterior. Siding, windows, and other outer parts of your home can sustain serious damage from the elements. 

Hailstorms 

While not as frequent as other spring weather hazards, hailstorms remain a serious threat to your property, vehicles, and home. These storms can release large hailstones that strike everything in their path, causing dents in vehicles, shattering windows, and wreaking havoc on roofing and siding materials. Even outdoor furniture isn’t safe from the wrath of hail.

Heavy Rainfall & Flooding 

If April showers get heavy enough, they bring the risk of flooding, especially in low-lying areas or regions with poor drainage. The excess rainwater can saturate the soil around your home’s foundation, increasing the likelihood of water seepage into basements and crawl spaces, potentially causing flooding. Additionally, flash floods, which can occur suddenly with little warning, pose a significant threat, causing substantial damage to any homes or property in its path. 

The Impact of Flooding Damage

Flooding poses a significant risk to Canadians, especially during the spring when weather conditions are most conducive to its occurrence. Several factors affect the likelihood and severity of flooding, including the amount and type of precipitation, the condition of drainage basins and overall climate trends. 

In recent years, there has been a noticeable increase in both temperatures and rainfall across Canada. Over the past six decades, average temperatures have increased by 1.3°C, accompanied by a 12 percent increase in average rainfall. And it’s not just overflowing from rivers and lakes – damage from storms, spring thaw and other freshwater flooding is occurring.

The impact of flooding is widespread and escalating. Statistics reveal a concerning trend:

• Floods are increasing in frequency and severity, posing a greater risk to communities across the country.
• Canada has 20 times the number of storms and floods that we had just two decades ago.
• Major floods now represent almost 40 percent of all recorded natural disasters in the country.
• 2 in 10 homes in Canada are at risk of flooding.
• Flooding is the most frequent and costly natural disaster in the country.

Weathering the Storms: Types of Property Damage Claims 

Spring weather conditions can lead to several types of property damage that may result in home insurance claims. Below we’ll explore some common types of property damage claims so that you can feel more confident in dealing with any home damage that may occur during the season. 

1. Natural Disasters 

Natural disasters can cause irreparable home damage. From floods and wildfires to tornadoes and earthquakes, these catastrophic events represent one of the most significant types of property damage claims. Flooding can result in severe water damage to homes and belongings, while wildfires can destroy entire properties. Tornadoes and earthquakes can cause structural damage, leaving homes uninhabitable. Dealing with the aftermath of these disasters requires prompt action and comprehensive insurance coverage to ensure homes are restored and families can recover from the devastation.

2. Water Damage 

From burst pipes to roof leaks, water damage can manifest itself in a multitude of ways. Burst pipes can result from freezing temperatures, corrosion, and high water pressure leading to immediate and extensive water damage. Plumbing leaks, on the other hand, are often the source of gradual water damage, slowly compromising the structural integrity of your home while supporting mould growth. Your roof may also be the source of spring sorrow. If left unattended, missing shingles could allow water to seep inside, causing severe structural damage and compromised insulation over time. Finally, flooding damage resulting from heavy rainfall, storm surges, overflowing rivers, or sewer backups can cause significant harm to your foundations, walls, flooring, and personal belongings.

3. Fire & Smoke Damage 

Kitchen accidents, electrical faults, candles left unattended, heating system malfunctions, and natural disasters can all be the source of house fires. What’s more, even after the flames are extinguished, the smoke can linger, causing extensive damage to the property.

4. Accidental Damage

Accidental damage is one of the major types of property damage claims. It includes unexpected occurrences that cause harm or destruction to property, belongings, or structures. Whether it’s a fire resulting from a mishap in the kitchen, or your dog Fido got into some serious damage in the backyard again, we’re human - accidents happen, and this is where they would typically fall under.

5. Impact Damage 

Have you ever had someone drive onto your front lawn? No? What about a tree crashing down onto your roof after a severe storm? Both instances are considered impact damage: “any harm inflicted on property and its structures resulting from a physical collision or forceful impact from external sources.” As you can tell by the above examples, the instances of impact damage can vary, ranging from accidental collisions between cars and structures to intentional acts of vandalism resulting in property damage. 

When is a Home Considered a Total Loss? 

You’ve likely heard the term “total loss” mentioned at one point or another. But what does it mean? At its simplest, total loss represents an insured object that has been damaged so badly, that repairing it, exceeds the limits of the policy. In this case, it would be cheaper to replace the object in question.

As you can imagine, though, what’s considered “destroyed” and “sort of damaged” is subject to interpretation. To help keep everyone on the same page, the total loss of a home is defined specifically: when the cost to repair damage to a house is greater than the value the home is insured for.

Total loss is further broken down into actual total loss and constructive total loss. Actual total loss indicates that a home has been destroyed with nothing of value remaining. Constructive total loss suggests the home is not destroyed, but the repair costs will still exceed the home’s insured value. Whichever situation you find yourself in, so long as the destruction was something covered by your policy, you’ll receive the full insured value of the home. Expert tip: if your policy includes guaranteed replacement costs, your insurance company is required to pay the full cost of rebuilding the house, even if it’s more than the home’s insured value. 

How to Avoid the Most Common Spring Home Insurance Claims 

Sometimes, you just can’t escape making home insurance claims. But for the ones that you can prevent, follow these trusted tips: 

Water damage

Whether it was the spring thaw or flooding damage, water has a way of waltzing right into our homes and making a mess. Keep these tips in mind to prevent hefty water damage claims:

• Store valuables in a dry, elevated place.
• Seal any cracks in your home’s foundation and basement floors before the next forecast of rain.
• Ensure your sump pump is in good working order and consider purchasing a backup battery in the event your power goes out.
• Install a backwater value to help prevent sewer backups.
• Keep pipes clog-free by throwing oily substances like bacon grease in the compost rather than down the drain – over time this can build up and create blockages that can lead to sewer backups.
• Prepare for spring and make sure gutters are clear of debris. Once clean use a hose to check for leaks and blockages.
• Check your roof for any loose or missing shingles and repair immediately.

Hail and Wind 

Well-known for their ability to cause damage, windstorms can become extremely hazardous. Prepare by securing or storing items like patio furniture, planters or outdoor tools that could be damaged by hail or blown away by the wind. Don’t forget to take care of any overhanging branches! Strong winds and heavy rain can cause these branches to snap and fall onto your roof and any nearby powerlines. Inspect the trees around your property, identifying any branches that are hanging over your home or other structures. Using pruning shears or a saw, carefully trim them back, cutting them to where they meet the main trunk or a larger branch.

Fire 

Preventing house fires is important and despite what many believe, often within our control. Here are some simple yet effective tips to keep your home fire-free this spring:

• Install smoke detectors on every floor and make sure to test them monthly. Don’t forget about carbon monoxide detectors!
• Extinguish candles or any open flames before leaving the room.
• Have your chimney inspected and cleaned annually.
• Clean out the lint trap of your dryer thoroughly after each use.
• Always hire a licensed professional for electrical work in your home.
• Have a fire extinguisher on hand and check it regularly to ensure it’s in working order.
• Prevent kitchen fires by rolling up sleeves, putting lids on pots, and turning handles away from kids and pets.

Feel Protected This Spring With Acumen

Don’t let the threat of spring weather conditions dampen your outlook on the season. With the added peace of mind provided by home insurance and water protection, you can feel protected no matter what’s in the forecast. At Acumen our brokers use their professional knowledge and experience to assess your needs, shop for the best value in insurance coverage and help you in the event of a claim. Ready to protect the place you call home? Request a quote today.