Tips for Winterizing Your Home And Auto to Prevent Insurance Claims

We’re now approaching the tail end of the autumn, with the leaves tumbling and the temperatures dropping. Eventually extreme cold will set in around Colorado which can create dangerous circumstances at home and on the road if not prepared. Below are few tips to prepare for the cold, wintery weather  ahead.

Preparing Your Home

Here are some basic tips to offset problems before the temperatures plummet!

• Perform basic winter maintenance:  Be certain that your walls and attic are sufficiently insulated. Caulk and weather-strip doors and windows, and take care to insulate water lines that run along outer walls. When the temperatures drop, remember to keep water taps slightly open so they drip continuously, and keep the cabinets under sinks open to allow warm air to circulate, preventing freeze ups.
• Clean debris from your air conditioning unit and cover with a breathable, waterproof cover to prevent rusting and rotten debris from sitting in the unit all winter.
• If you use a fireplace or wood stove, have the chimney or flue inspected each year. 
• Make sure every floor in your home has a carbon monoxide detector and check them regularly to make sure they are working properly.  Never use gas or gasoline powered heating sources in your home. Have emergency supplies on hand, especially adequate water, food and a battery-powered radio, in the event of an extended power outage. You’ll want a week’s worth of back up – more if you live in a remote area. 
• Remove leaves and other debris from your gutters to ensure an uninterrupted flow of water throughout. Frozen gutters can produce ice dams, damaging roofing material. Springtime thaws can also produce serious water damage to walls and siding.

Preparing Your Car

• Have your vehicle serviced according to manufacturer recommendations. Check the antifreeze level.
• Always try to keep the gas tank topped off; this will avoid icing in the fuel lines and the gas tank itself.
• Replace conventional windshield wiper fluid with a special wintertime mixture.
• Make sure your tires have good tread with appropriate air pressure levels. Better yet, invest is a set of snow tires which are specifically designed for cold, wet and/or snowy conditions to help your car stick to the road.
• Be certain your battery is well charged, your heater and defroster are in good working order, and that your emergency lights are fully functional.

Winter is a lot of fun, and we’re in the perfect spot to enjoy all of what Colorado has to offer. So get your home and your vehicles ready for it, and have a great season!

Contact Us!

At Denver West Insurance Brokers we look forward to working with you. Just give us a call at 303-960-5290 or send a note to service@denverwestinsurance.com. We are here to help keep your family safe and  ensure what’s important to you is well protected!  We serve all of Colorado, Denver, Golden, Lakewood, Arvada, Wheat Ridge, Evergreen, Morrison and Littleton.