Winter Insurance Risks: What Every Business Should Consider
Despite the milder weather of recent months, don’t be fooled!! As they say in Game of Thrones: ‘Winter’s coming!’
As the winter months start to loom large, businesses face a seasonal surge in potential operational risks. From icy pavements to frozen pipes, the colder season brings a host of challenges that can lead to costly insurance claims, operational disruptions, and reputational damage. As a broker it is a magical opportunity to truly demonstrate your worth to your customer base.
Introduction
Whether you have customers who are running a retail shop, managing a fleet, or overseeing a multi-site enterprise; understanding and mitigating winter-specific risks is essential to keeping their business resilient. October is the key month to start making those considerations and assessments, rate each risk and make the important decisions about what the winter months might bring that a business needs to be ready for or overcome.
Things to consider?
🏢 Property Damage: The Silent Freeze
One of the most common winter insurance claims involves property damage caused by freezing temperatures. Burst pipes, roof collapses under heavy snow, and water ingress from melting ice can result in thousands of pounds in repairs and lost productivity. Even in regions with milder winters, sudden cold snaps can catch businesses off guard.
Prevention tips for your customers:
Insulate exposed pipes and ensure heating systems are regularly serviced.
Clear gutters and drains to prevent ice dams and water buildup.
Conduct a winter-specific building inspection to identify vulnerabilities.
IMPORTANT
Insurance policies should be reviewed to confirm coverage for weather-related damage, especially for older buildings or those with complex plumbing systems.
⚡ Business Interruption: When Weather Halts Operations
Severe winter weather can lead to power outages, transport disruptions, and even forced closures. For businesses dependent on foot traffic or supply chains, these interruptions can be financially devastating.
Key considerations for your customers:
Review the business interruption insurance to ensure it covers weather-related closures.
Develop contingency plans for remote work, alternative suppliers, and emergency communications.
IMPORTANT
Take this time to review the Business Continuity Plan (BCP). Business continuity planning is not just for large corporations. Even small businesses benefit from having a clear roadmap for maintaining operations during adverse conditions.
🚚 Fleet and Transport Risks: Navigating the Winter Roads
For businesses that rely on vehicles—whether for deliveries, logistics, company cars or mobile services—winter driving conditions present heightened risks. Snow, ice, fog, and reduced daylight hours increase the likelihood of accidents and delays.
Fleet safety measures your customers should consider:
Ensure all vehicles are winter-ready with appropriate tyres, antifreeze, and emergency kits.
Provide winter driving training for staff and encourage cautious scheduling to avoid peak weather disruptions.
Use GPS tracking and telematics to monitor driver behaviour and route efficiency.
IMPORTANT
Commercial vehicle insurance should be reviewed to confirm coverage for winter-related incidents. Some policies may offer seasonal adjustments or add-ons for extreme weather.
🧊 Equipment and Machinery: Cold-Weather Vulnerabilities
Outdoor equipment, HVAC systems, and machinery can suffer in freezing conditions. Hydraulic systems may seize, batteries may fail, and condensation can cause electrical faults.
Protective actions your customer can take:
Store equipment indoors or under cover when possible.
Schedule preventative maintenance before the cold sets in.
Use temperature-controlled environments for sensitive machinery.
IMPORTANT
Equipment breakdown insurance can help cover the cost of repairs or replacements, but only if the policy includes winter-specific risks. Don’t assume coverage—verify it.
📋 Insurance Policy Check-Up: Winter Edition
Winter is an ideal time to conduct a comprehensive insurance review. Policies that seemed adequate for the rest of the year may fall short when faced with seasonal hazards.
Why customers should engage with a broker or insurer to assess:
Coverage limits for property, liability, and business interruption.
Exclusions related to weather events or maintenance negligence.
Claims procedures and documentation requirements.
IMPORTANT
Consider bundling policies or adding endorsements that specifically address winter risks. A tailored approach can save money and reduce exposure.
🧑💼 How an Insurance Broker Can Help
Navigating winter risks isn’t something businesses need to do alone. A qualified insurance broker is an invaluable ally in preparing for the colder months. Brokers bring deep expertise in policy structures, risk assessment, and claims management—helping tailor coverage to a customer’s specific operations and seasonal vulnerabilities.
Here’s how a broker can assist:
Risk Assessment: You can conduct a winter-specific risk review of customer’s premises, operations, and liabilities, identifying gaps that may not be obvious.
Policy Optimisation: Brokers help ensure business coverage is comprehensive and cost-effective, advising on add-ons like business interruption, equipment breakdown, or seasonal liability extensions.
Claims Support: If the worst happens, brokers guide customers through the claims process, helping them document incidents, liaise with insurers, and secure timely payouts.
Proactive Advice: From fleet safety to property maintenance, brokers often provide practical guidance that goes beyond insurance—helping customers prevent claims before they occur.
In short, a good broker doesn’t just sell policies—they help build resilience. Partnering with one ahead of winter can make all the difference between a minor hiccup and a major disruption.
So, grab a hot drink, review your customers policies, and make sure their business is ready to face the frost. Because when it comes to winter insurance risks, it’s not just about surviving—it’s about thriving.
The Thread..
Insurance Support Solutions Ltd can provide specialist support to understand your customer base, to free up your time to deal with quality policy reviews in advance of a new season, to save you time & expense, to respond & communicate whilst also using the output to continuously improve your customer experience, your team, and your business.
Ask us about what is involved, and we will work with you to provide a bespoke solution that gives you confidence and conviction to positively impact on the customer experience.
And Finally…
An insurance boss was very happy with the work his team had done to prepare for the winter months, “As you’ve all worked so hard to prepare for the winter, I’m going to give you a cheque for £5,000 each… And if you work just as hard through Spring, Summer and Autumn, I’ll think about signing them.”
