Heading South for the Winter? Your Home Policy Needs to Know.

Adam Puharic

Oct 15

2 min read

Plenty of our clients split the year, spending the cold months in Florida or the Carolinas and the warm ones here at the Jersey Shore. It is a great way to live. It also creates one of the most expensive surprises in homeowners insurance: the empty house in January.

The frozen pipe problem

When the heat drops and a pipe freezes, it can split. In a home where someone lives, it gets noticed in an hour. In an empty home, water can run for days. Industry figures put the average frozen-pipe claim at more than $18,000,^*6 and some carriers report average payouts above $30,000 once water damage is included.^*7 Water and freezing damage together make up close to a quarter of all homeowners claims.^*6

The coverage catch many people miss

Many homeowners policies limit or exclude certain damage when a home has been vacant or unoccupied for a long period, often 30 to 60 days. Some also expect you to keep the heat on, or shut off and drain the water, while you are away. If a pipe bursts and those steps were not taken, a claim can be reduced or denied. Every policy is different, so check yours before you leave.

Before you lock the door

Keep the heat set to at least 55 degrees, and do not turn it off.
Shut off the main water valve and drain the lines if you will be gone for weeks.
Ask someone you trust to check the house regularly, and keep a note of their visits.
Consider a smart water sensor or automatic shut-off valve. Some carriers offer a discount for them.
Have your gutters cleaned to cut down on ice dams.
Call us to confirm how your policy treats a seasonal home and whether you have water backup coverage.

Staying home this winter?

The same risks apply during a cold snap. Open cabinet doors under sinks on outside walls, keep a slow drip on during deep freezes, and know where your main water shut-off is before you need it.

We have offices in New Jersey, North Carolina and Florida, so we understand both ends of the trip. Call us at 732-655-6200 and we will walk through your coverage before you head south.

Sources

*6 HazardHub analysis, published by Guidewire, "7 Top Winter Weather Risks to Home and Property"

*7 State Farm claims data, reported by 29News (WVIR), January 28, 2026