Home Insurance and Winter: Protecting Your Home During Ontario's Coldest Months

Updated October 2026

Ontario winters can be unpredictable. Heavy snowfall, freezing rain, strong winds and prolonged periods of extreme cold can all create risks for homeowners.

While home insurance provides important financial protection against many unexpected events, not every type of winter damage is automatically covered.

Damage caused by sudden and accidental events may be treated differently from problems resulting from wear and tear, gradual deterioration or inadequate maintenance.

At L.D. Dermody Insurance Brokers, we encourage homeowners to prepare their properties before winter arrives and understand how their insurance coverage may respond if something goes wrong.

Here are some important steps to help protect your home during the winter months.

1. Protect Your Plumbing From Freezing

Frozen pipes are one of the most expensive winter-related problems homeowners can experience.

When water freezes inside a pipe, it expands and can cause the pipe to rupture. Once the ice thaws, water may escape and cause extensive damage to walls, ceilings, flooring and personal belongings.

To reduce the risk:

Insulate exposed pipes in crawl spaces, garages and other cold areas.
Seal drafts around plumbing penetrations and exterior openings.
Maintain adequate heat throughout your home.
Disconnect outdoor hoses and winterize exterior faucets where appropriate.
Know where your main water shutoff valve is located.
Consider installing a monitored low-temperature alarm.

If you leave your home unattended during the heating season, your insurance company may require additional precautions.

These could include regular inspections, shutting off the water supply or draining the plumbing system.

The requirements vary by insurer and policy.

Leaving the heat on does not necessarily satisfy your insurance company's conditions for an unattended home.

Before travelling during winter, confirm the requirements of your particular policy.

For more information, see our article Frozen Pipes and Insurance.

2. Watch for Ice Damming

Ice dams form when snow melts on a warmer portion of the roof and refreezes near the colder roof edge.

Over time, the resulting ice buildup can prevent water from draining properly.

Water may then work its way beneath roofing materials and enter the home.

Ice damming can damage ceilings, walls, insulation and interior finishes.

To help prevent it:

Ensure your attic has appropriate insulation.
Seal air leaks between the living space and attic.
Maintain proper attic ventilation.
Keep eavestroughs and downspouts clear.
Arrange safe snow removal when necessary.

Avoid climbing onto an icy roof or attempting to break away ice with sharp tools.

If ice dams repeatedly form, a qualified professional should investigate the underlying cause.

Home insurance may cover certain resulting water damage, depending on the policy, but correcting insulation, ventilation or maintenance deficiencies is generally the homeowner's responsibility.

For additional information, see our article Ice Damming.

3. Keep Your Roof in Good Condition

Heavy snow, freezing rain and strong winds can place considerable stress on a roof.

An aging or poorly maintained roof may be more vulnerable to damage.

Before winter, look for:

Missing, loose or deteriorated shingles.
Damaged flashing around chimneys, vents and skylights.
Sagging or visibly uneven roof areas.
Blocked eavestroughs.
Overhanging tree branches that could fall during a storm.

Arrange for a qualified roofing contractor to investigate concerns.

Following a major snowfall, be alert for unusual roof movement, new interior cracks or other signs of possible structural problems.

If you suspect the roof is unsafe, keep people away from the affected area and obtain professional assistance.

Do not attempt to remove heavy snow yourself if doing so requires working at heights or on slippery surfaces.

Insurance coverage for snow-related roof damage depends on the circumstances and policy wording.

For more information about roof condition and insurance, see our article Check Your Roof.

4. Have Your Heating System Serviced

A properly functioning heating system is essential during an Ontario winter.

A furnace breakdown can leave your home without heat and increase the risk of frozen pipes.

Before the heating season:

Arrange appropriate maintenance of your furnace, boiler or other heating equipment.
Replace or clean filters according to the manufacturer's recommendations.
Keep heating vents and air returns unobstructed.
Check that your thermostat is functioning properly.
Ensure outdoor furnace or heating-system vents are not blocked by snow.

If you use a fireplace, wood stove or other solid-fuel heating appliance, arrange appropriate chimney and appliance inspections and cleaning.

Heating equipment should be installed and maintained according to applicable safety requirements.

Remember that home insurance generally does not cover the ordinary cost of repairing or replacing heating equipment that fails because of wear and tear.

However, damage resulting from certain insured events may be covered, subject to the policy.

5. Reduce the Risk of Winter Fires

Winter is a time when homeowners rely more heavily on heating equipment, fireplaces and electrical appliances.

This can increase fire risks if equipment is used improperly.

Some important precautions include:

Space Heaters

Use only properly certified equipment and follow the manufacturer's instructions.

Keep portable heaters away from curtains, furniture, bedding and other combustible materials.

Do not leave portable heaters operating unattended.

Fireplaces and Wood Stoves

Have chimneys and heating appliances inspected and maintained as recommended.

Use appropriate fuel and keep combustible materials away from the appliance.

Electrical Equipment

Avoid overloading outlets or using damaged extension cords.

Plug portable space heaters directly into suitable wall outlets rather than extension cords or power bars, unless the manufacturer's instructions specifically permit otherwise.

Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms

Ensure your smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms are properly installed, maintained and tested.

Ontario has legal requirements for these alarms, and homeowners should ensure their properties meet current requirements.

Carbon monoxide can be produced by malfunctioning fuel-burning appliances and may accumulate if vents are blocked.

If a carbon monoxide alarm sounds, follow emergency safety instructions and seek assistance immediately.

6. Keep Walkways and Entrances Safe

Snow and ice can create hazardous conditions around your home.

Slippery walkways, stairs and driveways may lead to falls and injuries.

Homeowners should take reasonable steps to maintain safe access to their properties.

This may include:

Clearing snow from entrances, stairs and walkways.
Applying appropriate ice-control materials.
Ensuring exterior lighting is working.
Keeping handrails and steps in good repair.
Addressing drainage problems that create recurring icy areas.

Home insurance policies commonly include personal liability coverage that may respond to certain claims involving injuries to others.

However, liability coverage is subject to policy terms, exclusions and the circumstances of the incident.

Insurance does not eliminate the importance of maintaining your property.

Municipal snow and ice removal requirements may also apply.

7. Protect Your Home During Winter Storms

Winter storms can bring freezing rain, high winds, heavy snow and power outages.

Before severe weather arrives, consider:

Securing loose outdoor items.
Trimming hazardous tree branches using qualified professionals.
Keeping flashlights and emergency supplies available.
Charging phones and backup batteries.
Maintaining a supply of essential medications and household necessities.
Knowing how to shut off your home's water supply.
Checking that sump pumps and backup systems are functioning properly.

If you use a portable generator, follow the manufacturer's safety instructions.

Never operate a generator indoors, inside an attached garage or near openings where exhaust could enter the home.

Generators produce carbon monoxide, which can be deadly.

If a winter storm damages your home, take photographs, prevent further damage where safe and contact your insurance broker or insurance company.

8. What Happens if a Winter Storm Causes a Power Outage?

A prolonged power outage can create several problems for homeowners.

Without electricity, heating systems may stop operating, sump pumps may fail and refrigerated or frozen food may spoil.

Some insurance policies provide limited coverage for food spoilage resulting from an insured power interruption.

Other policies may provide coverage for certain resulting losses, depending on the cause and circumstances.

However, power outages do not automatically make every resulting expense an insured claim.

For example, damage from frozen pipes following a heating failure may be subject to specific policy conditions and exclusions.

If you experience a prolonged outage, take reasonable precautions to protect your property and contact your insurer if damage occurs.

9. What if I Leave My Home for a Winter Vacation?

Whether you are travelling for a week or spending several months away, it is important to understand your insurance obligations.

A temporarily unoccupied home is not necessarily considered vacant, but special conditions may still apply during the heating season.

Depending on the insurer, you may be required to arrange for someone to enter the home and confirm that heat is being maintained at specified intervals.

Alternatively, the policy may provide for shutting off the main water supply and draining the plumbing system, subject to its conditions.

Before leaving:

Confirm your insurer's inspection and winterization requirements.
Arrange for a reliable person to check the home.
Provide that person with emergency contact information.
Consider installing a monitored temperature alarm.
Arrange for snow removal and mail collection.
Confirm that the property remains properly insured during your absence.

If the home will be permanently unoccupied because you have moved out, different vacancy provisions may apply.

For additional information, see our article Vacancy: Are You Covered?.

10. What Winter Damage Is Typically Covered by Home Insurance?

Home insurance commonly provides protection against certain sudden and accidental events.

Depending on y