LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) - Here in Southwest Louisiana, we are no stranger to the impacts of hurricanes and floods.

But, with the recent winter storm we just experienced, it’s important to know whether your insurance covers damage from snow and freezing temperatures.

As always, anytime there is significant cold weather in the forecast, one of the first things your are encouraged to do is drip your faucet, to prevent pipes from freezing, and bursting.

But, in the event you are a victim to busted pipes, can your insurance cover the repairs?

Ben Blanchard with Blanchard Agency Goosehead Insurance, says its covered, usually under your All Perils deductible.

“Depends on what your deductible is, when we talk about one pipe, two pipes, we don’t know. A lot of times these are hidden things, so it’s going to take a lot of investigation, a lot of adjusting to get that taken care of, and assess the damage. Again, its reaching out to your agent, and going over what your individual policy is,” Blanchard said.

For the most part, any damage to your home from a winter storm can be covered by your insurance.

“You know as an independent broker, we have multiple clients with multiple companies, different companies, so its not a cookie cutter policy. So, the best advice I can give is to read your policy call your agent go over the policy with your agent check your deductibles assess the damage with your agent and at that point, then you can decide if its worth filing a claim,” Blanchard said.

While winter storms are not common in Louisiana, there are steps you can take ahead of time for insurance coverage.

“Taking pictures of your existing structures, the way it is now, having the before and after’s is always a good thing, because it allows the insurance adjusters to not question anything,” Blanchard said.

Blanchard says automobile damage from winter storms can be covered by insurance, as well, under comprehensive coverage.

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