Blizzard Warning MN: What Home & Auto Insurance Covers

🏠 What's Covered — Homeowners Insurance

Your standard American Family homeowners policy covers most blizzard-related damage. Here's what's typically protected:

Dwelling Coverage (Coverage A)

Wind-driven snow and ice damage to your roof, siding, gutters, and windows is generally covered under your dwelling coverage. The NWS notes that the amount of water in the snowpack will make it very heavy, leading to the potential for infrastructure damage — meaning roof collapses from snow load are a real risk tonight. Structural damage from that collapse is typically covered. Most homeowners in Minnesota carry $200,000–$500,000 in dwelling coverage. Know your limit.

Roof Damage

Covered if sudden and accidental — but pay close attention: insurance companies are increasingly shifting from fixed-dollar deductibles to higher, percentage-based deductibles specifically for wind and hail damage. This deductible is typically 1% to 5% of your home's total insured value. If your house is insured for $500,000, a 2% wind and hail deductible means you must pay the first $10,000 of a claim yourself.

Personal Property (Coverage C)

If a roof collapse or burst pipe damages your furniture, electronics, or belongings, your personal property coverage kicks in. Standard limits start around $50,000–$150,000.

Additional Living Expenses (Coverage D)

If your home becomes uninhabitable due to storm damage — say, a tree punches through your roof — ALE coverage pays for hotel stays, restaurant meals, and temporary housing while repairs are made. Typical limits: 20–30% of your dwelling coverage amount.

Burst Pipes

One of the most common blizzard claims in Minnesota. Sudden, accidental water damage from frozen and burst pipes is covered under most home policies. However — you must have maintained reasonable heat in the home. If you left for the weekend and turned the heat way down, your claim could be denied.

🚗 What's Covered — Auto Insurance

Comprehensive Coverage

Damage to your vehicle caused by this storm — falling tree limbs, a garage or carport collapse, flooding from ice dams — is covered under your comprehensive coverage. Typical comprehensive deductibles in Minnesota range from $100–$1,000.

Collision Coverage

If you slide off the road or collide with another vehicle in whiteout conditions, collision coverage pays for your vehicle repairs after your deductible. The National Weather Service is warning that driving could become impossible Saturday night into Sunday, and meteorologists are cautioning against people driving due to heavy snowfall, low visibility, and the likelihood of snow drifts with winds blowing 30–40 mph. My strong advice: don't drive. But if you must, know your collision deductible before you go.

Towing & Roadside Assistance

If you get stranded, your roadside assistance rider (if you carry it) covers towing, battery jumps, and lockout assistance. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle and call for help — don't attempt to walk in blizzard conditions.

❌ What's NOT Covered

This is where many homeowners get blindsided. Know these exclusions now:

• Flooding from snowmelt: Standard home insurance does NOT cover ground-level flooding as snow melts. You need a separate flood policy through NFIP or a private flood carrier. With 12–18 inches of snow forecast in the Twin Cities metro, spring melt flooding risk is real.
• Gradual roof deterioration: If your roof was already in poor condition, insurers may deny a claim, arguing the damage is maintenance-related, not storm-related. Insurers are becoming stricter about the age and condition of a roof. Policies increasingly offer Actual Cash Value (ACV) for older roofs rather than Replacement Cost Value (RCV), meaning the payout is based on the roof's depreciated value, leaving the homeowner responsible for the difference.
• Sewer backup: If heavy snow and melt overwhelm your sewer line, standard policies typically exclude sewer backup damage. You need a separate endorsement.
• Vehicle damage from normal road spray/salt: That's wear and tear, not a covered loss.
• Power outage food spoilage: Not covered under most standard home policies unless you've added a specific endorsement.

✅ Steps to Take RIGHT NOW

Act before the storm peaks tonight:

• 📸 Document your property NOW. Walk through your home and shoot video of your roof, gutters, garage, fences, and vehicles. Time-stamp everything. This is your pre-storm evidence.
• 🌡️ Keep your heat at 65°F or above — even if you're leaving. This prevents frozen pipe claims from being denied.
• 🚗 Move your car to a covered garage if possible. The expected snowstorm will likely lead to several Twin Cities communities declaring snow emergencies, meaning residents will need to move their cars if they park on the street. Minneapolis and St. Paul have already declared snow emergencies.
• 🌲 Check trees near your home or vehicles. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. If a limb looks compromised, park elsewhere.
• 📋 Locate your insurance policy number and claim phone number and save them in your phone.
• 🧹 Clear your gutters if you can safely do so — ice dams form when gutters are blocked and can drive water under your shingles, causing interior damage.
• 🛣️ Check 511mn.org for road conditions before any travel, and heed closures. Remember, if interstate highways are closed, state highways and county roads are also impassable.

📋 Filing a Claim

If you sustain damage during this storm, here's how to move quickly:

1. Ensure safety first. Don't enter structurally compromised areas of your home.
2. Document ALL damage with photos and video before making any repairs.
3. Make emergency repairs only to prevent further damage (e.g., tarping a damaged roof). Save every receipt — these are reimbursable.
4. Call American Family Insurance's 24/7 claims line: 1-800-692-6326 or file online at amfam.com.
5. Call or text me directly at (763) 402-8220 — I can help you navigate the claim process, confirm your coverage, and advocate for you if there's a dispute.
6. Don't sign any repair contracts until your adjuster has assessed the damage. Storm-chasing contractors flood Minnesota after major weather events.

❓ FAQ

Q: My roof caved in from snow weight. Is that covered?

A: Yes — sudden structural collapse from snow load is typically covered under your dwelling coverage (Coverage A). Document everything immediately and call your insurer. Your deductible will apply, and if you have a wind/snow percentage deductible, know that number — on a $300,000 home with a 1% deductible, you're paying the first $3,000 out of pocket.

Q: I slid off the road in the blizzard and hit a guardrail. What covers my car?

A: Collision coverage covers your vehicle damage after your deductible. If the other party is at fault (rare in single-car accidents), liability from the other driver may apply. Note: Minnesota is a no-fault state, so your own PIP (Personal Injury Protection) covers your medical bills regardless of fault.

Q: A tree branch fell on my parked car. What coverage applies?

A: Comprehensive coverage — not collision — handles falling object damage. This is important because comprehensive deductibles are often lower than collision deductibles. If you only carry liability coverage, there is no coverage for your vehicle.

Q: My pipes froze and burst, and water damaged my floors and drywall. Covered?

A: Generally yes, if the pipe burst was sudden and you maintained adequate heat in the home. Minnesota's harsh winters make frozen pipe claims common — AmFam understands these claims well. The key exclusion is if your home was left unheated for an extended period.

Q: The storm knocked out power for 3 days and all my food spoiled. Does insurance cover that?

A: Not under a standard home policy. However, some policies offer an optional food spoilage endorsement, typically covering $500–$1,000 in losses for a very small premium. Call me and I can check if you have that rider or add it for next time.

Stay safe out there. Travel is expected to become very difficult or impossible late tonight through Sunday evening, so please stay home if at all possible. If you have any questions about your coverage — whether you're a current client or not — I'm available right now.

Weston Nelson is the owner and principal agent at Nelson & Associates, Inc., an exclusive American Family Insurance agency in Fridley, MN, licensed in 18 states. Call or text (763) 402-8220 with any coverage questions.

📍 941 Hillwind Rd NE Ste 206, Fridley, MN 55432 | 📧 team@nelsonandassociatesinc.com