The Arctic Blast is a Great Reminder to Double-Check Your Homeowners Insurance

You’ve probably heard, if not felt it for yourself: Jack Frost blew in with verve this year, bringing colder-than-average temperatures to millions of Americans.

And the cold spell isn’t over — if anything, temperatures could continue to drop, with meteorologists predicting the coldest weather of winter so far in some parts of the country. The culprit(s)? Multiple blasts of Arctic air blowing in straight from our planet’s coldest regions.

Below, we’ll dive into the details behind these low-degree days — and how to protect your home and wallet from potential winter storm damages.

What’s going on with 2024’s winter weather?

The first blast came just after Thanksgiving, while most of us were stashing (or snacking on) leftovers. The freezing-cold air mass originated over northern Russia before making its way toward the eastern U.S.

And when it arrived, it impacted far more than just the eastern seaboard.

Temperatures across the United States have been marked in chilly blue tones on weather maps since the last days of November. In the Great Lakes, communities saw up to five feet of snow over the final week of the month. This even caused Floridians to break their sweaters out from the mothballs to meet 40- and 50-degree days.

But despite the icy temps, overall the world is still warming. These Arctic blasts come after a warmer-than-average November — and indeed the hottest November on record for 15 of 191 cities analyzed by Climate Central (even including the final week’s chill).

The organization also found that meteorological winter, which runs from December to February, is the fastest-warming season, having warmed by 4 degrees Fahrenheit on average in 235 U.S. locations between 1970 and 2024.

Winter storm damage worries? Here’s how to protect yourself

As our weather patterns continue to evolve, so must our methods of preparing and protecting ourselves from the damages they might cause.

It’s true that keeping up with regular maintenance can help you avoid winter storm damage. It can help you avoid filing a homeowners insurance claim, which can increase the cost of your homeowners insurance policy. (Even without getting insurance involved, DIYing your home repairs can come with costs and risks.)

But given how unpredictable and intense weather is becoming — so much so that the cost of homeowners insurance has skyrocketed or simply become less available in areas prone to certain disasters like hurricanes — more of us will likely end up dealing with insurance adjusters and navigating claims to take care of damages.

For starters, make sure you compare homeowners insurance quotes so you’re getting the best possible coverage for your money, and make sure you double-check your deductibles. While a lower deductible could increase your monthly premiums, if your home does sustain damages, it could be worth it.

Next, take the time to actually read your insurance policy — yes, in full. Understanding insurance exceptions can help you avoid a nasty surprise at the worst possible time. While some so-called acts of God (wind, for example) are covered in a standard homeowners policy, others, like earthquakes and floods, are not.

Finally, if you do find yourself in the position of needing to make a claim, know your options. If you disagree with your adjuster’s findings or think you’ve been wrongfully denied, you may be able to file a dispute with the homeowners insurance company. Hiring a public insurance adjuster may also work in your favor.

Stay warm out there!