Escaping the Canadian Cold This Winter? Prepare Your Home First

A single burst pipe in an empty house can flood an entire main floor in under an hour. In Canada, water damage accounts for roughly 40% of all home insurance claims, and the average burst-pipe claim now exceeds $30,000 in repair costs. For Ontario homeowners heading south or taking a winter vacation, the financial risk is real, but so is a second danger most people overlook: your insurer can deny the entire claim if you did not follow your policy's winter-absence requirements before you left.

Here is what your policy actually says, what steps you need to take, and how to leave for your trip with confidence that your home and your coverage are both protected.

Why Winter Vacancies Are an Insurance Minefield

Ontario winters routinely push temperatures well below -20C. When a home loses heat, even briefly, water sitting in supply lines, radiators, and the hot water tank can freeze and expand with enough force to split copper pipe and crack fittings. The damage from the burst itself is minor. The real destruction comes when the ice thaws and pressurized water pours into walls, ceilings, and floors for hours or days before anyone notices.

Insurers know this. That is why virtually every Ontario home insurance policy includes a "heating season clause" that imposes specific obligations on you the moment you leave your home unattended during cold months. Fail to meet those obligations and your insurer has grounds to deny your claim, leaving you with the full repair bill.

The Four-Day Rule: What Your Policy Likely Requires

While exact wording varies between carriers, most Ontario home insurance policies trigger their winter-absence requirements after four consecutive days of vacancy during heating season (typically October through April). Once that threshold is crossed, you must satisfy at least one of the following conditions to maintain coverage:

Option 1: Shut off and drain the water system. Turn off the main water supply valve, then open all faucets, flush toilets, and drain the hot water tank to empty the pipes completely. This is the most reliable option if you will be away for weeks or months, but it means the home has no running water until you return and reverse the process.

Option 2: Arrange regular home checks. Have a competent adult enter your home on a schedule determined by your policy, typically every 24 to 72 hours, to confirm that the heating system is running and no water damage has occurred. This person should know where your main water shut-off is and have contact information for your insurance broker and an emergency plumber.

Option 3: Install a monitored heating alarm. Connect your heating system to a monitoring station that provides 24-hour service. If the furnace fails or the interior temperature drops below a set threshold, the monitoring service alerts you and dispatches help. Some newer systems include automatic water shut-off valves that close the supply the moment a leak or temperature drop is detected.

Your policy may accept one of these options, or it may require a specific one. This is not something to guess about. Call your broker before you book your flight and ask exactly what your carrier requires.

The 30-Day Vacancy Threshold

Beyond the heating-season clause, most Ontario policies have a separate vacancy exclusion. If your home is left empty for more than 30 consecutive days, your standard coverage may be voided or sharply reduced, particularly for perils like vandalism, theft, and water damage.

The insurance industry distinguishes between "unoccupied" and "vacant," and the difference matters:

• Unoccupied means your furniture, belongings, and utilities are in place and you intend to return. A snowbird's home in winter is typically unoccupied.
• Vacant means the property has been emptied of personal belongings and may have utilities disconnected. Think of a home listed for sale after the owner has moved out.

If you plan to be away for more than 30 days, contact your broker. You will likely need a vacancy permit endorsed onto your policy. This is an inexpensive addition, often around $100, that maintains your coverage during your absence. Without it, you may be paying premiums on a policy that will not pay your claim.

Your Pre-Departure Checklist

Whether you are leaving for a week in Florida or three months in Arizona, walk through this list before you lock the door.

Plumbing and Heating

• Set your thermostat no lower than 15C to 16C. Some policies specify a minimum temperature. Lower settings risk frozen pipes in exterior walls and uninsulated spaces.
• If draining the system: shut off the main water valve, open every faucet, flush all toilets, and drain the hot water tank. Disconnect washing machine hoses and pour plumbing antifreeze into sink, tub, and floor drain traps to prevent the water seal from evaporating.
• If keeping water on: open cabinet doors under sinks on exterior walls so heated air can reach the pipes. Confirm that your furnace has been serviced recently and the filter is clean.
• Locate and label your main water shut-off valve. Make sure your home checker knows where it is and how to operate it.

Electrical and Appliances

• Unplug non-essential electronics to eliminate fire risk and reduce phantom power draw.
• Leave one or two lights on timers to simulate occupancy. Vary the schedule so it does not look automated from the street.
• Empty and unplug the refrigerator if you will be gone for more than a month, or set it to a moderate temperature and remove perishables.
• Test smoke detectors and carbon monoxide alarms before you leave. Replace batteries if needed.

Security

• Lock all windows and doors, including the garage. Remove spare keys from obvious hiding spots like doormats, flowerpots, and mailboxes.
• Arrange mail and package holds. A stuffed mailbox or pile of flyers on the porch signals an empty house.
• Ask a neighbour or hire a home-watch service to keep an eye on the property. In addition to satisfying your insurance requirements, this person can clear snow from the walkway and driveway after storms. An unshovelled driveway is one of the most visible signs of an unoccupied home.
• Set exterior lights on dusk-to-dawn sensors or timers.

Exterior

• Clean gutters and downspouts before you leave. Ice dams caused by blocked drainage can force water under shingles and into your attic.
• Trim tree branches that hang over the roof or near power lines. Heavy ice and snow loads can bring down limbs.
• Arrange snow removal. Regular plowing keeps the home looking occupied and prevents ice buildup that could cause a slip-and-fall liability claim.

Smart Home Devices: Worth the Investment

Technology has made it much easier to monitor a vacant home remotely. Water leak sensors placed near the water heater, washing machine, and under sinks can send instant alerts to your phone. Wi-Fi-connected thermostats let you check the temperature from anywhere and receive warnings if it drops. Automatic water shut-off systems can close the main valve within seconds of detecting a leak, limiting damage to a manageable amount rather than a catastrophic flood.

Many Ontario insurers now offer premium discounts of 5% to 15% for homes equipped with monitored water leak detection or smart home systems. A professionally monitored system with automatic shut-off capability may qualify for higher savings. Ask your broker which devices your carrier recognizes for a discount. The sensor that prevents one frozen-pipe disaster pays for itself many times over.

What About Your Cottage?

If you own a seasonal cottage or vacation property, the same principles apply, often with stricter requirements. Cottage insurance policies typically have shorter vacancy thresholds and may require full water system drainage for the entire off-season. Some carriers mandate a winterization inspection. Review your cottage insurance policy separately from your primary home policy, as the two may have different carriers and different rules.

If Something Goes Wrong While You Are Away

Despite the best preparation, emergencies happen. If your home checker discovers a burst pipe or heating failure:

1. Shut off the main water valve immediately to stop the flow.
2. Call your insurance broker to report the claim. Most carriers have 24/7 claims lines, but your broker is your advocate and can guide you through the process.
3. Document the damage with photos and video before any cleanup begins.
4. Arrange professional water extraction and drying. The faster standing water is removed, the less secondary damage (mould, warping, electrical issues) will develop.

Keep your broker's phone number and your policy number in your phone contacts and share them with your home checker. Minutes matter when water is flowing.

Talk to Your Broker Before You Pack

Every insurance carrier writes their heating-season clause a little differently. Some require checks every 24 hours, others allow 72. Some accept a monitored alarm as a standalone solution, others require it in combination with periodic checks. The only way to know what your policy demands is to ask.

At Roughley Insurance, we review your specific policy wording, explain exactly what your carrier requires, and help you set up the right protection plan before you leave. If you are heading away this winter, whether for a week or the whole season, contact us for a quote or call (905) 576-7770 so you can enjoy your trip knowing your home and your coverage are secure.

A winter vacation should end with good memories, not a water damage claim. A few hours of preparation before you leave can save you tens of thousands of dollars and months of disruption when you get home.