Let them know what to expect
and assure them that you are available to assist them
Every year seems to bring with it some new iteration of
“Snowpocalypse” or “Snowmageddon.” Make sure your clients
protect themselves, their families, and, if applicable, their employees.
by Michael Wayne
The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season hadn’t even ended when the West Coast and Pacific Northwest got hit with a bomb cyclone in the latter part of November. Surprisingly, unlike winter storms and hurricanes, bomb cyclones aren’t given names to identify them. Perhaps there aren’t enough of them.
They bring with them high winds, flooding rains, and snow. In a recent one, two people were killed, there were widespread power outages, and the pressure drop in millibars that the storm showed was a record breaker.
Across the U.S., winter storms are the next biggest weather threat. Just like along the Gulf Coast and East Coast prior to June 1, now is the time for homeowners and property owners in vulnerable areas to ensure that they are protected against severe winter weather as much as possible. Here are the Top 5 ways to help prepare your clients for winter.
Be in the know
While it may not be an issue for long-time residents, property owners, or business owners, not everyone is always completely aware of the winter risks that come with being where they live or are temporarily staying. Making sure your clients understand the potential perils when it comes to extreme cold and blizzards, how long they could be without power, or have access to certain services restricted or unavailable is vital.
As an example, your client may be the caretaker of an elderly parent or child with special needs. They may have a generator ready to go at all times, but how long are they prepared to run that generator? A couple of days, a week, several weeks? The answer could literally mean life or death for a loved one.
Ensure everything is in working order
In addition to making sure that all necessary equipment is literally in working order, this extends to having ample supplies on hand. Remind your clients to stock up on de-icer, sand, or rock salt and have it readily available.
Do they have shovels? Are their vehicles being properly maintained and ready to go? Do they have access to backup machines, materials, and meals, if necessary? What kind of water supply do they have? Winter storms can develop and intensify rapidly.
All equipment should be on a scheduled maintenance plan. The last thing your client needs is to be caught trying to troubleshoot a necessary piece of equipment when it’s not operating and needed most.
Keep the cold out
Simple precautions can make a big difference. One such measure is ensuring that your client has the correct insulation where needed, has any necessary caulking done, and properly protects pipes from freezing temperatures. This is also a great time for smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors to be installed and/or tested.
Annually, there are preventable accidents involving portable heaters that ultimately cost people their homes, their lives, or the lives of loved ones. According to the U.S. Fire Administration, home portable heater fires accounted for 41% of fatal heating fires in homes last year. There were an estimated 32,200 home heating fires reported to fire departments within the United States. They caused an estimated 190 deaths, 625 injuries, and $442 million in property loss. Based on those numbers, nearly 78 of those deaths were the result of mishandled or malfunctioning home heaters.
Ready your vehicles
Whether it’s their personal vehicle or their fleet vehicles, if there is any possibility that your client could end up in the middle of a winter storm, they need to be prepared. Tell them to pack a kit that includes non-perishable food, maybe even a couple of meals ready to eat (MREs). Their kit should also contain bottled water, blankets, extra warm clothes, flashlights, jumper cables, and sand to help should their vehicle become stuck because of icy conditions.
In January 2022, hundreds of drivers were stranded on I-95 overnight after getting caught in a winter storm. Every year seems to bring with it some new iteration of “Snowpocalypse” or “Snowmageddon.” Make sure your clients protect themselves, their families, and, if applicable, their employees.
Pay attention
Just like with any approaching CAT event, it’s always good to be aware and informed. Remind your clients to heed weather reports and register for their local warning system. The Emergency Alert System (EAS) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weather Radio also provide emergency alerts.
Paying attention also includes doing so internally. In short, that means preparing checklists for property—both interiors and exteriors—and for personal wellbeing.
While it doesn’t happen often, we’re going to add a sixth bit of advice. Make sure your clients know what they are actually covered for in case of a winter storm and educate them on how they should go about filing an insurance claim if the need arises.
Let your clients know what to expect and assure them that you are available to assist them, if necessary.
Stay warm and stay safe.
The author
Michael Wayne is a freelance writer who focuses on insurance and risk topics.
