How to Winterize Your Home While Away (Complete Checklist Included)

Outdoor Winterizing to Prevent Ice, Snow & Water Damage

Ice dams. Frozen faucets. Snow-loaded roofs. Your home's exterior takes a beating in winter, and when no one's watching, small issues turn catastrophic. Here's how to protect the outside of your property.

Ice Dams Develop Quietly — and Can Cause Significant Interior Damage

Ice dams form when heat escapes through your roof, melting snow that then refreezes at the eaves. The resulting water backup can cause significant interior damage — and this type of damage often develops slowly while properties are vacant.

Complete Indoor Winterizing Checklist Before You Leave

Before you head out for an extended absence, working through a systematic indoor checklist helps ensure you haven't missed critical steps. Here's what to address inside your home.

Heating, Plumbing & Water Protection

Thermostat:

• Set your thermostat to maintain a minimum temperature of 13°C (55°F) throughout your absence
• Never turn the heat off completely, even if you've drained the pipes — condensation and humidity issues can still occur
• Consider a programmable or smart thermostat that alerts you to temperature drops
• Decide whether to keep water on with heat, or shut off and drain completely

Many policies require maintaining a minimum temperature in vacant homes. Failing to do so could affect coverage for freeze-related damage.

Water system:

• If keeping water on — ensure someone will check the property regularly (typically every 3–7 days, depending on your policy)
• If shutting water off — turn off main water supply valve; open all faucets to drain pipes; flush toilets and drain tanks; pour non-toxic antifreeze into all drains, toilets, and toilet tank; drain water heater (or set to vacation mode if manufacturer permits); drain dishwasher, washing machine, and any other appliances with water lines

Water damage from frozen or burst pipes is one of the most common — and costly — winter claims. The method you choose should align with your policy's vacancy requirements.

Sump pump:

• Test your sump pump before leaving
• Ensure the discharge line won't freeze
• Consider a battery backup system in case of power failure
• Have someone check it regularly if you're relying on it during your absence

Pipe insulation:

• Wrap exposed pipes in unheated areas (crawl spaces, attics, exterior walls) with foam insulation
• Pay special attention to pipes near exterior walls
• Leave cabinet doors open under sinks to allow warm air circulation around pipes

Appliances, Electricity & Fire Safety

Furnace & HVAC:

• Have your furnace professionally inspected and serviced before winter
• Replace furnace filters; clear area around furnace of combustible materials; ensure vents and air intakes are clear

Furnace malfunctions in vacant homes can lead to both fire risks and heating failure that results in freeze damage.

Electrical appliances:

• Unplug unnecessary appliances and electronics (except those needed for monitoring or security)
• Turn off circuit breakers for non-essential circuits
• Leave lights on timers for security purposes
• Keep refrigerator running and set appropriately, or empty, clean, defrost, and leave doors propped open

Undetected electrical fires are a significant risk in vacant homes. Regular inspections help, but prevention through unplugging and circuit management is critical.

Water heater:

• If draining — turn off and drain completely
• If keeping on — set to vacation/low mode; ensure area around heater is clear

Smoke & carbon monoxide detectors:

• Test all smoke and CO detectors
• Replace batteries even if they seem fine
• Ensure they remain powered throughout your absence

Understanding Vacant vs. Unoccupied

While these terms are sometimes used interchangeably, many insurance policies distinguish between them. For most snowbirds and homeowners on extended vacation, their property would be considered "unoccupied" rather than vacant — but your specific policy language matters.

Classification and requirements vary by insurer and policy. Confirm your status with your Morison broker before leaving.

Why Coverage May Change After a Certain Number of Days

Most standard home insurance policies begin to treat properties differently once they've been unoccupied for a specific period — commonly 30 consecutive days, though this varies by insurer. After this threshold:

• Certain types of coverage may be reduced or excluded
• Additional requirements (like regular inspections) may kick in
• Water damage coverage often faces restrictions
• You may need a vacancy permit or endorsement to maintain full coverage

These changes aren't designed to catch you out — they reflect the statistical reality that risks increase significantly in unattended properties. Without someone present to notice and respond to issues quickly, small problems become large ones.

How Long Does Home Insurance Cover You If You're Away?

"How long can I be gone before my insurance changes?" This is one of the most common questions homeowners ask, and the answer depends on your specific insurance policy. Insurance coverage for vacant or unoccupied homes isn't standardized across the industry. The specifics depend on:

• Your insurance company's policies
• Your specific policy type and endorsements
• The type of property (primary residence vs. cottage vs. rental property)
• Your province (regulations vary)
• The season (winter absences often face stricter requirements than summer)

Typical absence thresholds in the Ontario market:

• 0–7 days — Generally, no special considerations or requirements under standard policies
• 7–30 days — Some insurers begin to require basic precautions (maintaining heat, security measures), though standard coverage typically continues
• 30+ days — This is a common threshold where coverage terms may change. Many policies require: regular inspections (often every 3–7 days); notification to the insurer about the absence; specific winterization steps; possibly a vacancy permit or endorsement
• 60+ days — More insurers implement restrictions at this duration
• 90+ days — Very few standard policies maintain full coverage without modifications at this duration

These are common patterns in the Ontario market — your specific policy may differ. Always confirm with your broker before an extended absence.

Differences for Property Types

Primary residences: Ontario snowbirds who leave for the winter but maintain their primary residence are still typically treated as "unoccupied" rather than "vacant", which often means better coverage options. However, this doesn't eliminate vacancy requirements once certain time thresholds are crossed.

Cottages and seasonal properties often have specialized insurance products that already account for seasonal vacancy. However:

• Winter coverage may be more limited than summer coverage
• Inspection requirements may be different
• The property may need to be properly winterized according to policy specifications
• Some cottage policies automatically reduce coverage during closed seasons

Before You Leave: Five Steps to Protect Your Coverage

Whether you're a snowbird heading south, a cottage owner closing for the season, or simply taking an extended winter vacation, taking the right precautions before you leave makes all the difference. This includes:

• Physical winterization steps that prevent damage
• Understanding your specific policy's vacancy requirements
• Arranging regular inspections if required
• Notifying your insurer if your policy requires it
• Documenting the steps you've taken

Types of Damage That May Be Treated Differently by Insurance

Understanding potential winter hazards is only half the equation. Understanding how insurance responds to those hazards is equally important. Similar damage can receive very different coverage outcomes depending on the circumstances.

Water Damage: The Biggest Winter Risk

Water damage is the leading cause of home insurance claims during winter, particularly in vacant or unoccupied homes. However, not all water damage is treated the same:

• Frozen and burst pipes: Often covered, but coverage depends heavily on whether required precautions were taken (maintained heat, shut off and drained water, arranged inspections)
• Sewage backup: May require separate coverage or endorsement
• Gradual leaks: Often excluded, especially if they developed over time without being noticed due to vacancy
• Flooding from external sources: Typically requires separate overland flood insurance

Key questions insurers ask:

• Was minimum heat maintained? (Often verifiable through utility bills or smart thermostats)
• Were inspections conducted as required? (Documentation matters)
• If water was left on, was the property checked frequently enough?
• If water was shut off, were pipes properly drained?

Ice Storms & Snow Load

• Roof collapse from snow load: Usually covered, but may be questioned if the property wasn't inspected regularly and excess snow could have been removed
• Ice dam damage: Often covered, but insurers may look at whether preventative maintenance (gutter cleaning, attic insulation) was done
• Falling tree limbs: Generally covered, unless the tree was visibly dead or hazardous before winter and should have been removed

Theft or Vandalism

• Coverage may be reduced or excluded after certain vacancy periods
• Security measures taken (or not taken) may be considered
• Documentation of the home's condition before the incident is helpful

Home Security, Monitoring & Regular Check-Ins

Physical winterization is only part of the equation. When your home is vacant, having systems in place to detect problems early — and someone available to respond — can mean the difference between a minor issue and a major insurance claim.

Security Systems

• Activate your home security alarm system
• Ensure monitoring services are active and have current contact information
• Update emergency contact lists with neighbours or property managers who can respond
• Consider adding window and door sensors if you don't already have them

Smart Home & Environmental Monitoring

• Install smart water leak detectors in high-risk areas (near water heater, under sinks, in basement)
• Use smart temperature sensors to monitor indoor temperature remotely
• Consider a smart thermostat that alerts you to heating system failures
• Set up cameras or motion sensors for security and to detect issues like leaks or break-ins

Arranging Regular Property Checks

Most insurance policies have specific requirements about how often vacant homes must be inspected. Understanding and meeting these requirements is critical to maintaining your coverage.

• Frequency: Many Ontario insurers require inspections every 3–7 days for vacant properties, though this varies by policy
• Who can inspect: Typically a trusted neighbour, friend, family member, or professional property management service

What to check during inspections:

• Interior temperature is adequate
• No signs of leaks, burst pipes, or water damage
• Furnace and other systems are operating properly
• No signs of break-in or vandalism
• Roof and exterior appear sound (no visible ice dams, fallen branches, etc.)
• Mail and deliveries are being collected
• Property appears occupied from the street

Consider having inspectors document their visits with photos and notes. If a claim arises, this documentation can be valuable.

Regular inspections aren't just good practice — they're often a policy requirement. If damage occurs and you haven't met the inspection frequency required by your policy, coverage could be affected.

Before You Leave: Make Sure Your Coverage Works When You Need It

You've got your checklist. You know what to drain, what to set, what to check. But here's what matters most: understanding how these steps protect not just your property, but your coverage.

The reality is that extended winter absences create unique risks, and insurance policies treat vacant or unoccupied homes differently than occupied ones. These differences aren't arbitrary — they reflect real patterns of what goes wrong when no one is home to notice problems early.

Getting these details right means that if something does go wrong while you're away, your coverage responds as it should. Getting them wrong can mean discovering too late that preventable policy violations have affected your claim.