Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Thomas B. Leonardi is reminding consumers to review their policies with their carrier or agent to ensure they are adequately protected during this winter season.
“The most recent winter was one for the books as Connecticut residents coped with one of the snowiest winters on record and the property damage was extensive. That is why it is extremely important to understand your policies and your coverage needs as we head into another winter storm season,” Commissioner Leonardi said.
“The Insurance Department has a number of resources to help you safely and smartly navigate all the seasonal risks in Connecticut,” Commissioner Leonardi said. “I encourage consumers to visit our online “Be Prepared” Web page, which has a wealth of information on winter coverage FAQs, claims-filing tips, links to federal and state emergency assistance and tips on how to prevent the most common types of winter losses.”
The Web site resources include safety tips on fire safety and a downloadable brochure on preventing ice dams and frozen pipes.
The department offers the following general guidelines for winter claims:
Roof Collapses : Homeowner policies will normally cover sudden and accidental roof collapses. However damage caused by age or pre-existing damage could be denied. Snow removal – Keeping roofs clear will help prevent collapses during heavy winter snowfall. Homeowners insurance does not cover injuries to the homeowner during snow removal.However damage caused by age or pre-existing damage could be denied. Snow removal – Keeping roofs clear will help prevent collapses during heavy winter snowfall. Homeowners insurance does not cover injuries to the homeowner during snow removal.

The payoffs can be great — the public adjuster, who works for the homeowner, typically gets 10 percent of any insurance settlement while the lawyers walk away with up to 40 percent. • Collusion among unscrupulous engineers and contractors costs
The South Carolina Insurance News Service estimates the property damage caused by hail in South Carolina was more than $45 million . Automobile damage was a large portion of that number, but roof repairs were also needed at many township homes and

The county landfill could not take storm debris from private property for free, Howell said, as those costs are part of any homeowner's insurance policy. Insurance companies are required to handle those recovery tasks and costs, Howell said.

More Than urged people to lock away all loose objects including garden furniture, check for loose roof tiles, and speak to neighbours to ensure that they have also removed loose items so that they can't cause any damage to your home.
As a homeowner, you probably already know that roof repair and replacement can be expensive. Because the roof is vital to the integrity of your home, proper maintenance and repair is essential. Many homeowners assume that the costs of roof repair or replacement will be covered by their homeowners insurance. Unfortunately, this isn’t always the case and many homeowners have had their repair claims denied by their insurance company.
Coverage Basics
One of the most important things to know about homeowners insurance is that all policies are different and what is, and is not, covered can vary greatly. In general, insurance companies will pay for repairs if the roof damage was related to natural disasters or uncontrollable acts. Most policies include coverage for significant weather events such as wind, hail, rain, hurricanes and tornadoes. The tricky part becomes which part of the repair will be covered by the policy.
In most cases, repairs to damaged shingles, flashing and siding will be covered by the insurance company. However, if the damaged roof causes further damage to the home by way of a water leak, this may not be covered by the insurance company. Further, the insurance company may deny your damage claim if they determine that any part of the roof damage resulted from neglect or failure to maintain the roof properly. Knowing Your Policy
One of the most crucial aspects to responsible home ownership is knowing the ins and outs of your homeowners insurance policy. You don’t want to wait until your claim is denied to find out that something isn’t covered or that prior action on your part could have prevented the claim from being denied. Know the specific terms and conditions for what damages are covered and whether there are any disqualifications or restrictions for coverage.
This is a great point: insurance doesn’t always cover roof damage. However, if a homeowner chooses a reputable roofing contractor for the repairs, he/she will find that the investment is definitely worth it. If roofing damage is not fixed in a timely manner, by the time insurance does cover it, it could be much more than a simple repair!