While flooding, hurricanes, and winter storms are among Connecticut's most common weather hazards, other events can also pose risks to homes and communities. Understanding these hazards can help you better prepare, protect your property, and recover more quickly.
Did You Know?
Not all weather-related insurance claims result from major storms. Power outages, frozen pipes, tornadoes, and wildfire smoke can also cause costly damage. Understanding these risks can help you better prepare and protect your property.
Severe weather is one of the leading causes of extended power outages in Connecticut. Outages can lead to spoiled food, loss of heating or cooling, and other unexpected expenses.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Some homeowners policies may provide limited coverage for food spoilage or additional living expenses following a covered loss. Coverage varies by policy.
Helpful Resources
Heavy snow, ice dams, and freezing temperatures can damage roofs, gutters, and plumbing systems. Understanding how these winter hazards occur can help homeowners reduce the risk of costly repairs and better understand what their insurance policy may cover.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Damage from burst pipes may be covered, but damage caused by neglected maintenance may not be.
Helpful Resources
Smoke from wildfires in neighboring states or Canada can reduce air quality in Connecticut and, in some cases, affect homes and property. Knowing how to protect your home and when smoke-related damage may be covered can help you prepare for these events.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Smoke damage may be covered if it results from a covered event. Contact your insurer if your property has been damaged.
Helpful Resources
Extended dry conditions can affect water supplies, damage landscaping, and increase wildfire risk. Preparing for drought can help protect your property and reduce the likelihood of damage that may not be covered by insurance.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Standard homeowners insurance policies generally do not cover damage caused solely by drought or normal wear and tear.
Helpful Resources
Although less common than in other regions, tornadoes can occur in Connecticut with little warning during severe thunderstorms. Understanding tornado risks and reviewing your insurance coverage before a storm can help you recover more quickly if damage occurs.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Wind damage from tornadoes is generally covered under standard homeowners insurance policies, subject to your deductible and policy terms.
Helpful Resources
Connecticut occasionally experiences small earthquakes. While uncommon, they can occur without warning, making it important to understand available insurance options before an earthquake happens.
How to Prepare
Insurance Tip: Earthquake damage is generally not covered under a standard homeowners insurance policy. Separate earthquake coverage may be available.
Helpful Resources
Be Ready for Any Emergency
Preparing before disaster strikes can help protect your family, your home, and your finances.
Build an Emergency Kit
Include:
Protect Important Documents
Store copies of:
Create a Home Inventory
Take photos or videos of your belongings before severe weather occurs and store copies in a secure cloud account or another safe location. Completing the CID’s Home Inventory Checklist can make it easier to document your property and support an insurance claim if damage occurs.
Need Help?
Questions about your insurance coverage or preparing for severe weather?
Explore the resources throughout the Preparedness & Resiliency Center and Consumer Information Center for guidance on insurance coverage, disaster preparedness, and recovery.
For additional assistance, visit the Consumer Affairs Division online or contact CID’s Consumer Affairs team.
Contact Consumer Affairs
