If you're a Minnesota homeowner, you already know that winter here isn't just cold—it's a full-contact sport. We're talking weeks of subzero temperatures, snowstorms that dump feet of snow overnight, and the dreaded ice dams that can turn your roof into a water park. And here's what catches most people off guard: your homeowners insurance covers some of this winter chaos, but definitely not all of it. Understanding what's covered before disaster strikes can save you thousands of dollars and a whole lot of stress.
Minnesota has the second most extreme weather of any state in the nation, and in 2024 alone, we experienced 190 hail events plus countless winter storms. A single 2023 storm swept through the Twin Cities leaving roughly $1 billion in claimed losses. That's not a typo—billion with a B. Insurance companies are feeling the pinch too, which is why Minnesota homeowners are facing a projected 15% premium increase in 2025. Let's break down what you need to know to protect your home and your wallet this winter.
Ice Dams: The Minnesota Homeowner's Winter Nightmare
Here's the thing about ice dams that surprises most Minnesota homeowners: your insurance will pay for the damage they cause, but not necessarily for removing them. Ice dams form when heat escapes from your attic, melts snow on your roof, and that water refreezes at the eaves. This creates a dam that backs water up under your shingles, where it leaks into your home causing water stains, ruined drywall, damaged insulation, and sometimes even structural problems.
Most standard homeowners policies in Minnesota cover the resulting damage—your ceiling, walls, floors, and personal property that gets wrecked when water pours in. But here's the catch: the cost to actually remove the ice dam? Often not covered, unless it's actively causing damage and you need emergency removal to stop ongoing water intrusion. Some insurers will cover removal costs in that scenario, but you need to check your specific policy. Even more important: if your insurer determines the damage happened because you neglected basic maintenance, they can deny your entire claim.
The best defense is prevention. Make sure you have between 16 and 22 inches of insulation in your attic, and ensure proper ventilation—you want one square foot of free ventilation opening for every 150 square feet of attic space. Keep gutters clear of leaves and debris so melting snow can drain instead of backing up and refreezing. During heavy snow, use a roof rake to clear snow from the lower three to four feet of your roofline. These simple steps can prevent ice dams before they form, and they show your insurer you're maintaining your property responsibly.
Frozen Pipes and Cold Weather Damage
When temperatures plunge below zero for days—which happens every Minnesota winter—frozen pipes become a real threat. The good news: damage from burst frozen pipes is typically covered under your homeowners policy. The water damage to your home and belongings when a pipe bursts is considered sudden and accidental, which is exactly what insurance is designed to cover.
But there's an important exception: if your home was vacant and you didn't take reasonable precautions, your claim can be denied. Most policies require you to either maintain heat in the home (at least 65 degrees Fahrenheit) or shut off the water and drain the pipes if you're going to be away for an extended period, especially during winter. Heading to Arizona for two months? You can't just turn off the heat to save money and hope for the best. You need to either keep the heat on or properly winterize the plumbing system.
Protect yourself by wrapping exposed pipes, especially those in garages, crawl spaces, and along exterior walls. Let faucets drip during extreme cold snaps—the movement helps prevent freezing. Open cabinet doors under sinks to allow warm air to circulate around pipes. These simple precautions can prevent thousands of dollars in damage and ensure your claim won't be questioned if the worst happens.
Roof and Structural Damage from Winter Storms
Heavy snow loads and winter storms can wreak havoc on Minnesota roofs. A wet, heavy snow can weigh 20 pounds per cubic foot, and when you're dealing with feet of accumulation, that's serious weight. Most homeowners policies cover damage from the weight of snow or ice, including roof collapse, cracked rafters, and water damage if your roof fails.
Wind damage during winter storms is also typically covered. When a blizzard tears off shingles or tree branches crash onto your roof, your homeowners policy should cover repairs. Just be aware that you'll need to pay your deductible first, and with rates rising, many Minnesotans are opting for higher deductibles to keep premiums manageable. Make sure you know what your deductible is—you don't want to discover during an emergency that you owe $2,500 out of pocket before coverage kicks in.
After significant snowfall, consider safely removing snow from your roof, especially if you have an older home or a flat or low-slope roof. You can hire professionals to do this if you're not comfortable doing it yourself. Document any damage immediately with photos and videos. If you need to make emergency repairs to prevent further damage—like tarping a damaged roof—do so and keep all receipts. Your policy typically covers reasonable emergency measures to protect your property.
Filing Winter Weather Claims: What You Need to Know
When winter weather damages your home, time is of the essence. Contact your insurance company immediately—most insurers have 24/7 claims lines. Document everything with photos and videos before you clean up, if it's safe to do so. Take pictures of the damage from multiple angles, photograph any ice dams or snow accumulation that caused problems, and keep a detailed list of damaged personal property.
Keep every receipt related to the damage: emergency repairs, temporary housing if your home is uninhabitable, replacement items, and cleanup costs. Your adjuster will need this documentation to process your claim. Be honest and thorough in your claim—insurance fraud is a felony, but equally important, omitting damage or information can give your insurer grounds to deny legitimate parts of your claim.
One crucial question to discuss with your agent before winter hits: what maintenance does your insurer expect? Some companies have specific requirements about winter maintenance, and if you haven't met them, they can deny your claim. Get this in writing so you know exactly what's expected. Keep records of your maintenance efforts—photos of you clearing gutters, receipts for insulation work, anything that shows you're being a responsible homeowner.
Getting Ready for Minnesota Winter
The best time to understand your winter weather coverage is right now, before the first big storm hits. Schedule a conversation with your insurance agent and ask specific questions: Are ice dams covered? What about removal costs? What maintenance do they expect? Is there coverage if my home is vacant? What's my deductible? Do I have enough coverage to rebuild if my roof collapses?
With premiums rising 15% in 2025, this is also a good time to shop around. Get quotes from multiple insurers, but don't just look at price—compare coverage details, deductibles, and customer service ratings. A policy that's $200 cheaper but excludes ice dam coverage or has a $5,000 deductible might not actually save you money when winter damage strikes.
Finally, invest in prevention. The money you spend on proper insulation, ventilation, pipe insulation, and a good roof rake is far less than you'll pay in deductibles, premium increases after claims, and the hassle of dealing with winter damage. Minnesota winters are only getting more extreme, and being prepared isn't just smart—it's essential for protecting your home and your financial security.
