The storms Delaware remembers
The March 1962 Ash Wednesday Storm lingered off the coast for several tide cycles and caused severe damage in Rehoboth Beach, Bethany Beach and Fenwick Island. Nor’easters since then have repeatedly eroded dunes and pushed water into low-lying communities, and the February 2010 back-to-back snowstorms buried northern Delaware. Nor’easter damage appraisal in Delaware means pricing a mix of wind, ice, snow and water damage that often arrives in the same week.
Winter losses we value
- Ice dams: water backing up under shingles at the eaves and into ceilings and walls.
- Snow and ice load: sagging or collapsed porch roofs, carports, gutters and low-slope roofs.
- Frozen and burst pipes: especially in crawlspaces, exterior walls and seasonal homes.
- Coastal wind: days of sustained wind that strip shingles and siding along the bay and ocean.
- Fallen trees and limbs: ice-laden branches on roofs, decks and vehicles.
Coverage questions to settle first
Winter claims bring their own conditions and exclusions. Ice damming is often covered for the resulting interior damage, while the cost of removing ice may be treated differently. Frozen-pipe losses can depend on whether heat was maintained. Erosion and flood from storm tides are usually excluded under homeowners forms. We sort the covered damage from the rest before pricing, so the dispute stays about cost.
Documenting a winter loss
Photograph ice buildup at the eaves before it melts, record interior stains as they appear, and keep receipts for heat, plumbing and snow removal. Moisture can travel for weeks after a thaw, so ongoing photos matter.
Frequently asked questions
Is ice dam damage covered?
Interior damage from ice dams is often covered under homeowners policies, but wording varies. The cost to remove the ice itself, or to fix the roof condition that caused it, may be treated differently.
Does snow load collapse count as a covered loss?
Many policies cover collapse caused by the weight of ice, snow or sleet, sometimes with exceptions for certain structures. Read the collapse provisions in your form.
My shore house pipes froze while I was away. Am I covered?
Possibly. Many policies require that heat be maintained or the water shut off and lines drained when the home is unoccupied. We review those conditions before anything else.
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