Winter's whipping winds, heavy snowfalls and freezing temperatures make it the most grueling season for your home. While the first big winter storms may still be a few weeks off, figuring out what kind of homeowners insurance coverage you have ahead of time will give you a chance to prepare before the mercury starts falling.

Most standard homeowners insurance policies include coverage for winter-related storm damage, which includes that inflicted by wind, snow, ice, freezing rain and severe temperatures. All policies are different, however, so it never hurts to double check with your home insurance broker about specific hazards

While most home insurance policies cover damage from trees felled by winter weather, the same cannot be said of floods. Even if a flood is caused by a winter weather event, such as rapid melting, a standard home insurance policy will not cover the damage. You can, however, augment your existing coverage with a separate flood insurance for more complete coverage.

Other exceptions to winter weather-related damage include damage suffered by a home that has been unattended for the season. Many standard policies have exclusions for damages that result from a home being left unattended for more than 30 days, or for those that are not properly equipped to handle the elements.

To make sure your home is properly winterized, now is the perfect time to get outside and perform some maintenance. To help protect your home from winter's harsh climate:

• Clean your gutters to make room for melting snow.
• Make sure your roof shingles and flashing are intact.
• Trim tree limbs that hang over your home. If you cannot reach the branch safely, call a professional.
• Pack up garden hoses and drain the pipes that feed their faucets.

For more information about affordable home insurance in Hampton and the surrounding areas, contact Fundy Mutual today.