How to Prepare for Heavy Snowstorms in New Jersey

New Jersey snowstorms can bring heavy snowfall, high wind, cold temperatures, freezing rain or sleet, and immobilizing conditions. That's why homeowners should prepare for heavy snowfall before it happens. With a few steps, you can make sure your home is protected against possible damage that comes with heavy snowfall.

A New Jersey independent insurance agent can help. In addition to preparing your home, you can speak with an agent to understand what coverage you have in your home insurance against heavy snowfall damage. 

7 before-the-Snowstorm Steps to Help Protect Your Family

Nowadays, there are relatively early warnings when a heavy snowstorm is headed your way. But living in a state like New Jersey, where winter months can bring cold temperatures and heavy snowfall, there are several steps you can take to prepare your home long before the winter storm warnings come through.

1. Weatherproof your home: Take some time to patch holes, insulate cracks, and check your pipes to ensure that they won't freeze. This can be done every year before winter starts. 
2. Check your chimney: If you have a chimney, make sure your flue is not shut or blocked before winter. If it is, then smoke and exhaust can't leave your home. If you use your fireplace frequently, it's always a good idea to have a yearly chimney maintenance check.
3. Check smoke detectors and carbon monoxide devices: These devices should be checked monthly. The batteries should be replaced twice a year. 
4. Check your furnace system: Have a qualified technician check your furnace system and vents every winter to ensure that they're working correctly.
5. Create an emergency kit: If a snowstorm shuts off your electricity, traps you in your home, or causes you to evacuate, an emergency kit can help. Some things to include in your kit are flashlights, batteries, food, blankets, etc. You'll also want to create an emergency kit for your vehicle with the same items, along with a shovel, tire chains, cat litter for getting stuck in the snow, jumper cables, etc.
6. Create a plan for yourself and your family: Consider what you would need for every family member to remain safe during a storm. This includes children, the elderly, pets, babies, and those with disabilities. 
   • Elderly: Consider medications, extra warm clothes, necessary schedules, and essential paperwork. 
   • Pets: Consider potential boarding options, if necessary, food, access to fresh water, and pee pads. 
   • Babies: Consider emergency meds, a first aid kit, diapers, clothes, food, and formula. 
   • Disabilities: Consider mobility needs, medications, comfort items, important documents, and necessary schedules.
7. Check your insurance: Insurance can provide a level of protection against heavy snowfall. Speak to your agent ahead of the season to ensure that you have the coverage you need. This should be done regularly to make sure any recent purchases or sales are adequately covered.

5 Immediately-before-the-Snowstorm Steps to Help Protect Your Family

Those seven steps can and should be taken long before a storm comes. You can also take some steps as soon as you get a news alert that a storm is on the way.

1. Check your emergency supplies: Following local weather reports can help you hear about a storm for several days before it's scheduled to come. You can also stay on track about whether the storm is progressing. Once a storm is announced, you can check your emergency supplies to make sure you have everything you need.
2. Bring all pets indoors: Animals should be brought indoors anytime the temperature drops below 32 degrees. No pets should ever be left outside during a snowstorm. If you don't have the capacity to keep your pets indoors for an extended period, you can make arrangements ahead of time with a friend or dog boarding business that can help.
3. Get your car packed, checked, and ready: If your storm plans include leaving before the storm arrives, you can prepare your vehicle ahead of time with a radiator and antifreeze check, checking windshield wiper fluid, filling your tires, and having a full tank of gas. It's always best to leave during the day before a snowstorm arrives rather than after a storm hits.
4. Prep for a potential power outage: Snowstorms often result in power outages. Heavy ice or freezing rain can impact power lines or cause tree branches to break onto power lines. Candles, flashlights, and propane stoves can be helpful during a power outage.
5. Protect and monitor your water source: Ensure that you always have access to fresh water. Keeping your heater about 58 degrees can help prevent your pipes from freezing, but you can also insulate them and make sure you keep drinking water on hand.

What to Do Right after a New Jersey Blizzard

Now that you know how to fully prepare your home for a heavy snowstorm, it's time to discuss the steps you can take immediately after a blizzard. 

1. Protect life: Similar to any event, the first priority after the blizzard has passed is making sure that all forms of life are safe and protected. If there are any injuries, it's best to call 911 immediately. 
2. Protect property: Once you know your family and pets are safe, you can begin taking steps to check your property. You may need to turn off your natural gas or propane and the electricity. If there is any damage to windows or roofs, you can cover them with rain tarps or plastic sheeting. 
3. Document the damage: If your home sustained significant damage, you'd want to document the damage using your phone or another recording device. Take photos and videos of your property, belongings, and the damage. If you need to file a claim, this information will be passed on to the insurance carrier.
4. Communicate: Once all of the immediate priorities are met, you can reach out to friends and family to let them know that you're okay and see if they need any assistance. Most social media channels offer the ability to mark yourself safe after a catastrophic event. This can be valuable if phone lines and connections are down.
5. Initiate the claim process: If you need to file an insurance claim for the damage to your home, you can start with your independent insurance agent. A quick phone call to your agent can get the ball rolling on the next steps. Your agent can contact your insurance company for you and help you take the steps needed to start the claim process. A claims adjuster will need to visit your property and inspect the damage. Work with them and assist them in any way you can to maximize the coverage you receive.

How Does Home Insurance Cover Snowstorms in New Jersey?

Fortunately, your New Jersey home insurance will provide some coverage for snowstorms. Home insurance is made up of several coverages designed to protect your home's structure and the stuff inside your home. In the event of a snowstorm, here's how your home insurance would help.

• Coverage for structural damage: Dwelling coverage will help pay for damage to the structure of your home. This includes walls, ceilings, built-in appliances, and similar items. Coverage often extends to detached structures as well. 
• Coverage for personal property damage: Your insurance includes coverage for personal belongings like furniture, clothing, electronics, knickknacks, silverware, etc., 
• Coverage against liability claims: If a guest was visiting your home during a snowstorm and was injured, liability coverage would cover medical expenses or legal expenses if you're sued. Coverage extends to all members of the family living in the home, including pets. 
• Additional living expenses: If your home was severely damaged or destroyed and you needed to live elsewhere while awaiting repairs, other living expenses coverage reimburses for associated costs. This includes hotel rooms, eating out, extra gas mileage, etc.

Your home insurance may have some exclusions in coverage for heavy snowstorms, including damage to other structures, fencing, patios, swimming pools, etc.

Can I Make Changes to My Insurance before a Snowstorm?

New policies do not cover a "loss in progress," and you cannot increase the amount of coverage you have during a loss. That's why it's best to work with an insurance agent early on before a potential disaster strikes to ensure that you have the right coverage and proper policy limits set in place.

How Can an Independent Insurance Agent Help?

Extreme winter weather can last a few hours or a few days. With some preparation, your home can be better protected from damaging snowfall. Should you need insurance, a New Jersey independent insurance agent can make sure you have the best coverage available.

Agents will shop multiple quotes and present you with several home insurance options that fit your needs. They can guide you in selecting a policy and limits that fit your home and your budget. Agents are available across the state and ready to help you secure the best home insurance in New Jersey.