The most expensive winter storms

Winter might not be the season you think of first when it comes to damaging storms, but the colder months can produce powerful weather systems that cause just as much damage as summer storms. La Niña atmospheric conditions are in place for the 2021 winter season, which means that some regions of the country could be warmer and drier than usual and other areas could be colder and wetter. A winter storm could mean heavy snow, damaging ice, cold temperatures and widespread power outages. Bankrate explores the most expensive winter storms in U.S. history to help you understand the potential damage these storms can cause and know how to prepare to mitigate your risks.

The damage caused to homes by winter storms

The four main types of winter storms, including blizzards, ice storms, lake-effect storms and snow squalls, are characterized by snow, wind and cold. Watching the snow falling outside can be relaxing, but winter storms can be large and severe enough to do extensive damage.

A devastating ice storm in the Southern U.S. in early 2021 has already pushed this year’s winter-related insured losses over $15 billion in property damage. The extreme weather conditions caused by winter storms can cause a variety of damage to your home and vehicles: Winter storms frequently cause billions of dollars in damage each year, according to the Insurance Information Institute (Triple-I).

• Freezing rain can damage homes in several ways. Water expands as it turns to ice and can widen cracks on the exterior of homes, exposing interior parts of the structure to the elements. If the ice produced by freezing rain accumulates quickly enough, it can also lead to partial or full roof collapse.
• Hail can break glass, dent metal and destroy roofs. Small, slow-moving hail typically causes less damage, but large hail driven by strong wind can cause a lot of destruction to your home and vehicles.
• Strong wind can shred shingles and siding and leave a building exposed to the elements. Wind can also bring down tree limbs and powerlines, potentially damaging anything in the way.
• Frozen pipes can burst and lead to water damage. Both the likelihood of a pipe freezing and the severity of its damage depends on where the pipe is and how cold it is. The better insulated a pipe is and the more protected it is by indoor heating, the less likely it is to freeze.
• Ice accumulation can lead to an increased risk of frozen pipes, reduce the structures’ integrity and lead to falling limbs and power lines. Ice accumulation can also cause severe roof damage.
• Falling trees and limbs can land on a home, causing significant damage to the roof, siding and underlying structure. They can also severely damage your car.

The worst winter storms in U.S. history

The Triple-I compiled data on the most expensive winter storms in U.S history, with costs ranging from $1 billion to $5 billion in insured losses. However, because 2021 is not yet over, and the full extent of insured losses from last season’s ice storm in Texas and other Southern states continues to fluctuate as more claims are processed, that storm has not been added to the “worst winter storms of all time” list, but it’s projected to be the largest winter storm loss event on record. In total, catastrophe modelers project the final tally from 2021’s series of winter storms will range from $18 billion to $20 billion in insured losses.

The following 10 winter storms are currently ranked as the most damaging on record (property loss amounts are updated to reflect 2020 dollars):

The Storm of the Century

Due to its record-breaking intensity, the Storm of the Century began on March 11, 1993, and lasted for three days. The storm, which formed in the Gulf of Mexico, managed to shatter records with its combination of snowfall, high winds and coastal flooding across the Eastern U.S. There were 270 reported fatalities, and the storm caused around $3.6 billion in damages.

February storm of 2015

The February winter storm of 2015 led to 39 reported fatalities and an estimated $2.3 billion in damages in New England. Tropical-storm-force winds, combined with extreme snowfall and dangerously low temperatures, created an intensely dangerous storm.

December 1983 storm and cold wave

This storm affected the majority of the U.S., caused 500 fatalities and cost nearly $2.2 billion in damages. With impacts ranging from Florida to Montana and New Jersey to Idaho, it was one of the biggest storms by geographic area in our nation’s history.

April 2007 winter storm and flood

April is late for a winter storm, but snowfall in this spring month isn’t unheard of in many parts of the country. In mid-April 2007, a storm caused heavy snowfall, tornadoes and flooding on the East Coast. Unfortunately, the devastating storm caused 19 people to lose their lives and the damages totaled just over $2 billion.

January storms of 2014

The January winter events of 2014, characterized by extreme cold and heavy snowfall, led to nearly $1.9 billion in damages. More than 20 states were directly affected.

December winter storm of 1992

The December winter storm of 1992 caused more than $1.8 billion in damages and resulted in 19 fatalities. It formed over Virginia on December 10 and lingered over the Mid-Atlantic for an additional two days.

March storm of 2018

The March winter storm of 2018 led to nine fatalities and more than $1.6 billion in property damage as it targeted the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions. The storm, a combination of a front colliding with a low-pressure system, led to extensive snowfall and flooding in the affected areas.

March 2010 Nor’Easter

A powerful type of winter storm that forms over the Atlantic Ocean, called a nor’Easter, hit New England in March 2010, causing 11 fatalities and over $1.4 billion in damages. Extensive snowfall combined with high winds and severe flooding to create a variety of hazards.

January 1994 storm

A winter storm and cold snap settled over New England and the eastern Midwest January 17-20, 1994. Tragically, 70 people lost their lives, and the storm caused $1.4 billion in damages.

February winter storms of 1994

The February winter events of 1994 generated $1.4 billion in damages and nine fatalities. Extensive impacts caused by snowfall, wind, hail and ice primarily affected the Midwest and portions of the Mid-Atlantic.

What your insurance covers during winter storms

Winter storms can be dangerous, damaging and even deadly. Knowing how to prepare is essential for the safety of you and your family. You’ll likely want to keep non-perishable foods on hand (and a safe way to cook them) in case of a power outage; you should also know how you’ll keep warm. Understanding what your home insurance policy covers if you sustain damage can help you better prepare for potential insurance claims. Standard home insurance policies include the following coverage types that provide you with financial protection after incurring winter storm damage:

• Dwelling coverage: This is the most essential element of a home insurance policy and covers the structure of your home. If a falling tree damages your home during an ice storm, you sustain water damage from a broken pipe, or if your roof is damaged by winter hail, this is the coverage that would protect you.
• Other structures coverage: This coverage type works similarly to dwelling coverage, but it covers detached structures like sheds, gazebos, fences and detached garages.
• Personal property coverage: If your belongings — including your furniture, clothing, jewelry or home decor — are damaged during a winter storm, this coverage is essential. You can choose either actual cash value (depreciation is factored into your claim) or replacement cost coverage (provides full value replacement).
• Additional living expenses: If you aren’t able to live in your home due to a covered loss, this coverage could pay for your temporary living at a hotel or rental fees, restaurant meals and even pet boarding.

Remember that claim payouts are subject to your home insurance deductible. Your deductible is the amount of a loss that you are willing to pay for out of pocket in the event of a claim and is subtracted from your insurer’s claim payment. Most standard home insurance policies have at least a $500 deductible. Some companies use a percentage system, whereby your deductible is a percentage of your dwelling amount. Choosing a higher deductible can reduce your premium, but it means you will need to pay more out of pocket for a covered loss.

Although not included in standard home insurance coverage, flood insurance may be worth considering. A flood insurance policy could help you cover the damage caused by winter storm flooding, which could be substantial. You can purchase a flood insurance policy underwritten by the federally-backed National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) or from dozens of private carriers that offer their own flood insurance product.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best home insurance company?

The best home insurance company is the one that most closely fits your needs. Some homeowners may be looking for specific optional coverage types; some might value a user-friendly mobile app where you can file and track claims, and others might want the cheapest home policy possible based on premium. If you’re shopping for coverage, make a list of your needs and get quotes from a few different companies to compare costs and coverages.

What types of insurance can help with winter storm damage?

Standard home insurance policies include dwelling coverage, as well as other structures, personal property and additional living expenses coverages, all of which can be beneficial if you incur winter storm damage. To further bolster your protection, you may want to add some optional coverages, like food spoilage and roof replacement cost.

Where do severe winter storms strike most often?

Winter storms can happen anywhere, as evidenced by the incredibly destructive storm that hit Texas and other Southern states in early 2021. However, the Northeast typically incurs more impacts from severe winter weather than other regions of the U.S. Not only are Northeast states generally colder than Southern states throughout the winter months, but their position generally east of the Great Lakes can contribute to heavy lake-effect snowstorms.

Does my auto insurance cover winter storm damage to my car?

Vehicle crashes between two or more drivers caused by snowy and slippery roads are covered by liability insurance, which is required by most states. A car that crashes into an object would generally be covered under the optional collision portion of an auto policy. Physical damage to a vehicle caused by heavy wind, flooding or fallen ice or tree limbs is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy.

How can I prepare my house against winter weather risks?

According to the Triple-I, homeowners can take several important steps to help mitigate their risks of property damage from severe winter weather. These include: cleaning out gutters so melting ice and snow can flow freely away from your home, trimming trees and removing dead branches, so the weight of snow and ice won’t bring them crashing down on your house or people and vehicles outside your home, and repairing steps and handrails as broken stairs and banisters can become dangerous when covered with snow and ice.