'Paralyzing' Snow Storms: How Insurance Can Help

BUFFALO, N.Y. - Nov. 21, 2022 - PRLog -- Parts of western and northern New York are projected to get up to six feet of snow, and headlines are calling this snow storm "paralyzing." CNN even called it "historic," explaining that heavy snowfall threatens to bring down trees, damage property and knock out power. It's important to consider how severe weather events like this one may affect your home and car now that severe winter storms are becoming the norm.

In New York, snow may come down at three inches an hour, in a rare event called "thundersnow," when lightning occurs within a snow storm. The National Weather Service has also issued a lake-effect snow warning for the Buffalo area on Wednesday, describing the storm as a "potential high-impact, long-duration lake snow event."

Climate change has warmed most bodies of water, creating heavy precipitation of snow and ice, in this case in Lake Erie and Lake Ontario. When cool air moves over warm bodies of water, it creates moisture and precipitation, so snowstorms like this can affect many states on the coast this winter.

About six million people in five Great Lakes states, from Michigan to New York, are under snow alerts as of November 18, 2022. Flights have been canceled, schools closed and commercial traffic has been banned on some roads.

Now, imagine dealing with a damaged home and car on your own, without an insurance company backing you financially! Here's what you need to know about storm damage, how your home and car may be affected by severe storms and when you are covered by insurance.

Damages Caused by Snow Storms and 'Thunder Snow'

Trees go down, falling on cars, homes and commercial buildings. The roads are dangerous, and those who do not follow the curfew are very prone to having a car accident. Here are some winter-related events from last year and whether or not they would've been covered by home insurance.

2021 Natural Disasters Related to Snowstorms

Natural Disasters in the U.S   Fatalities   Covered by Homeowners Insurance?

Winter   40   Yes, in the case of freezing pipes, heavy snow

Cold (https://smartfinancial.com/does-homeowners-insurance-cove...)   106   Yes, in the case of freezing pipes, heavy snow, downed heating systems

Wind (https://smartfinancial.com/windstorm-insurance)   56   Yes, but you may have a separate wind deductible

For more insights, visit: https://smartfinancial.com/winter-storm-insurance