7 winter home insurance tips for Canadian snowbirds

With files from Jane Switzer

This article was originally published on November 27, 2016 and was updated on October 3rd, 2025.

Many Canadians like to head south for the winter, and the first type of insurance they usually think of is snowbird travel insurance. But, if you’re escaping the Canadian winter for weeks or months at a time, there’s one thing you shouldn’t leave home without doing: checking your home insurance policy.

An empty house is at greater risk of damage or theft, especially if it appears vacant and no one is around to notice any issues. For this reason, leaving your property unoccupied without notifying your insurance company could jeopardize your coverage.

Rules vary by provider, which is why it’s essential to review your policy and contact your insurer before you leave. Understanding the terms of your policy helps you take the proper precautions to protect your home while you’re away.

Let’s break down seven winter home insurance tips to prepare your property and your insurance policy before you head out for an extended period of time. 

Tip #1: Review your policy and notify your insurance company

Many insurers will void your coverage if you leave your house empty and unmonitored for more than four consecutive days. So, it’s best to check your policy or clarify the exact timeframe with your broker or agent before planning to leave. 

Your coverage will lapse if your home is vacant for more than 30 days, but don’t worry, it’s only considered “vacant” if you don’t intend to return. If you’re travelling for a few months but have a set return date, your home is merely “unoccupied.” 

However, you should double-check with your insurer to see if your existing coverage is sufficient for the length of time you’ll be away or if you need to add a vacancy permit.

Also read: What is vacant home insurance?

Tip #2: Shut off your water and drain the pipes

Water damage is a common home insurance claim in Canada, and as a result, it’s recommended that snowbirds shut off their water altogether before leaving. Turning off the water, draining your home's plumbing system, and adding non-toxic antifreeze to your plumbing traps will prevent pipes, toilet bowls, or water heaters from freezing, cracking, or bursting in the event of a power outage or furnace issue. 

Shutting off the water supply also reduces the risk of spontaneous leaks from your washing machine, dishwasher, water heater, or even your fridge’s ice maker. This is important because insurance companies will only cover water damage resulting from sudden and unexpected leaks if certain maintenance and preventative standards are met. They won’t cover damage caused by burst frozen pipes if you leave your home empty, unchecked, and unheated, which is why adding flood insurance to your policy is a smart idea.

Also read: How to prevent water damage to your home in winter

Tip #3: Unplug appliances and check smoke alarms 

Once you’ve shut off your water, take the next step and ensure that all major appliances, such as your television, coffee maker, washing machine and dryer, are turned off and unplugged. It’s better to be safe than sorry, and you’ll save a few extra dollars on your electricity bill. 

It’s also important to check your smoke and carbon monoxide alarms to ensure they’re working properly and have fresh batteries. They will come in extra handy to detect any issues in your home while you’re away. While most home insurance policies will provide coverage for damage caused by fire, it’s worthwhile to do your due diligence and reduce risk.

Tip #4: Make it look like someone’s home

Visibly empty houses are targets for burglary. So, a winter home insurance tip for snowbirds is to make it look like someone’s home while you’re away. For example: 

• Install timers on indoor and outdoor lights
• Suspend your newspaper delivery
• Have someone gather your mail and go online to pay bills
• Plan to have snow cleared from your driveway 
• Give a friend, neighbour or family member a spare key to check on the house 

Even your best attempt to make it appear like your home is occupied may still not fool everyone. So, in the event of a break-in, rest assured that comprehensive home insurance policies will cover you for the resulting losses or expenses. 

However, there are set limits on theft coverage for items such as jewelry and watches, collectibles or bicycles, which could result in undervalued lost items. If you own these types of items, consider having them appraised and purchase a policy extension that specifically covers them.

Note: Coverage for break-ins by wild animals is more limited. Some home insurance policies may cover damage from animals such as raccoons, possums, groundhogs, and bats. However, most standard policies exclude rodents (such as mice, rats, and squirrels), insects (including bed bugs, cockroaches, termites, and carpenter ants), and birds, as well as any type of infestation.

Tip #5: Empty your fridge and remove garbage from your home 

Just as most damage caused by wild animals is excluded from a home insurance policy, the same goes for damage resulting from animal waste. Therefore, it’s best to take a proactive approach and eliminate any food supplies that will attract animals. This includes food in the fridge, garbage bins and pet food stored in the garage. You should also eliminate any standing water sources in your yard and inspect your home, especially your attic, for any cracks or holes that critters can squeeze through.

Tip #6: Get a security system installed

Implementing these home insurance tips for snowbirds is an excellent way to protect your home from theft or damage. However, it still leaves your house unoccupied. To take your preventative measures one step further, you could install a security system or cameras around your home to keep an eye on what’s going on inside and outside of your property. 

Even if you’ve asked someone to check in on your home occasionally, a security system will enable you to see and be notified of any potential hazards right away, such as overflowing water, fire, or burglary attempts. It also provides added peace of mind. 

Tip #7: Don’t forget about your car 

Depending on where you’re going and for how long, you may choose to leave your car behind. Many snowbirds escape the winter to somewhere hot, where they don’t need to bring their vehicle with them or have another one at their destination. If that’s your situation, you should take measures to store your car for safekeeping and review your auto insurance policy to confirm your coverage.

Remember that if items are stolen from your vehicle, it’s your home insurance policy that will cover the losses. To avoid making a claim, remove any valuables from your car and park it in a garage or enclosed space if possible.

The bottom line

If you’re a Canadian snowbird getting ready to head out of the country, be sure your home insurance policy is up to date before you leave. Notify your insurer, understand what is and what is not covered, and take steps to minimize risks at home. By following these winter home insurance tips, you'll have the right precautions in place so you can enjoy your time away knowing your property is protected.

Also read:

• Snowbird travel insurance - what you need to know
• Should you buy flood insurance in Canada?
• 7 unexpected losses your home insurer could cover 
• How to prevent wind and hail damage to your home