Your Home vs. The Polar Vortex: What’s Covered When Things Get Cold
2025-10-27
Every winter brings surprises. Your insurance shouldn’t be one of them.
While we’re all stocking up on hot chocolate and digging out the winter jackets, let's talk about something a little less cozy but way more important: getting your insurance winter ready. Because let's be real, the only thing worse than a -30°C morning is a surprise claim that isn't covered.
Our homes are our sanctuaries, but winter can be a real homewrecker. Grab your favourite mug, and let's get into the nitty-gritty of protecting your home from the wild Alberta winter. Here’s what you need to have on your radar:
Burst Pipes: When water freezes in your pipes, it expands. That expansion can cause a pipe to burst, and when things thaw out. you could be looking at a serious indoor water park you never asked for. Most standard home insurance policies cover sudden and accidental water damage from a burst pipe. BUT, there's a catch. If you're away for more than a few days, you need to have someone checking your home daily or shut off your water supply completely. If you don't, your claim could be denied. (Source: https://acera.ca/are-burst-pipes-covered-by-home-insurance-in-alberta/)
Ice Dams: Those pretty icicles hanging from your roof might be a sign of trouble. An "ice dam" is a ridge of ice that forms when snow on your roof melts and then refreezes at the eaves. This process creates a barrier that prevents proper drainage, allowing water to back up behind the dam and potentially leak into your home damaging ceilings, walls, and insulation. Damage from an ice dam is also typically covered under standard home policies. The key is to prove it was a sudden event, not a long-term leak you ignored. Keeping your eaves clean in the fall is your first line of defense!
The Icy Sidewalk: Picture this: a delivery driver steps onto your walkway and slips on an icy patch. They’re injured. What now? In Alberta, you’re responsible for keeping your property reasonably safe for visitors. That means shoveling snow and salting walkways regularly. Your home, condo, or tenant insurance includes liability coverage to protect you if someone gets hurt or their property is damaged and you’re found legally responsible.
But keep in mind, your insurer will check whether you took reasonable care. Did you clear the snow quickly enough? Did you salt or sand when it was icy? Liability coverage helps cover medical costs or legal fees, but prevention always makes life easier.
Final Thoughts:
Every home insurance policy has its own details and limits. What’s covered in one policy might not be in another. That’s why your insurance broker is your best resource. They’ll help you review your policy, fill in any gaps, and make sure your coverage fits your lifestyle.
Your home is important, but so is your vehicle. Winter roads in Alberta have their own set of risks, from icy highways to flying ice chunks. In the next part, we’ll break down how your auto insurance can protect you when the temperature drops and the roads get slick. And for those who like to stay one step ahead, we’ve also put together a Winter Readiness Calendar - your go-to guide for what to check, fix, and prepare each month before the deep freeze hits.
Stay warm, stay covered, and keep that coffee mug full.