Ohio winters have a way of surprising us! Ohio saw extreme cold as recently as January 2026, and it only takes one bitter night to split a pipe or turn a parking lot into an ice rink.
For most business owners, winter trouble shows up in three ways: water damage from frozen pipes, slip-and-fall injuries, and the downtime that can follow either one. Here is a plain-language look at each, what insurance commonly does and does not do, and a short checklist to work through before the first deep freeze.
Frozen pipes: the quiet winter claim
A pipe that freezes in an outside wall, a back storage room or an unheated sprinkler line can burst and run for hours before anyone notices. That is especially true over a long holiday weekend, when the building sits empty and the thermostat has been turned down to save a little on heating.
Although some business and home policies can cover sudden water damage from burst pipes, there are a few details worth knowing:
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Most property policies expect you to take reasonable steps to keep the heat on and protect the building.
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Many policies limit or exclude coverage when a building has been vacant or unoccupied for an extended period.
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Slow leaks, gradual seepage and wear & tear are commonly excluded.
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If you lease your space, your lease may make you responsible for certain pipes, fixtures or improvements.
Coverage varies by policy and carrier, so check your policy’s wording, especially if you run a seasonal business, have a second location, or have space that sits empty for part of the year.
Icy walkways, slips and winter driving
Snow and ice bring people risks along with property risks. Who gets hurt shapes which part of your insurance usually responds.
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Customers and visitors: If someone slips on your sidewalk or in your parking lot, yourliability coverage would review and respond to these injury claims, subject to your policy’s terms.
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Employees: Injuries to your own team fall under workers’ compensation. Most Ohio employers get that coverage through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, and a safer workplace helps keep claims down.
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Snow removal contractors: If you hire someone to plow or salt, ask for a certificate of insurance before the first snowfall. (Our earlier post, “Before You Hire: What to Ask Foron a Certificate of Insurance,” walks through what to look for!)
OSHA’s winter guidance for employers is practical: clear snow and ice from walkways and apply deicer as soon as you can after a storm, encourage footwear with good traction, and avoid roof or ladder work in icy conditions when possible.
Driving deserves its own mention. The National Weather Service notes that slippery roads cause thousands of injuries and deaths each year. If your business owns vehicles, now is a good time to review your commercial auto policy and driver list. If employees run errands in their own cars, ask us about hired and non-owned auto coverage, which many businesses do not realize they may need.
When winter closes your doors
The repair bill is only part of the cost of a burst pipe. If you have to close for two weeks while floors dry out and drywall is replaced, rent, payroll and loan payments keep coming.
That is what business income coverage, often called business interruption, is designed for. It generally helps replace lost income and pay continuing expenses when you cannot operate because of covered physical damage. A few points to understand:
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It usually applies only when the shutdown is caused by covered physical damage. A slow week because customers stayed home in the snow typically is not covered.
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Many policies have a waiting period, often measured in hours or days, before income coverage begins.
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Extra expense coverage may help with costs to keep operating, such as renting temporary space or equipment.
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A power outage that starts away from your property may only be covered if your policy includes a utility service endorsement.
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Your limit should reflect how long it would realistically take to reopen, not just a round number.
Because these details vary so much from one policy to the next, this is one of the most valuable things to review with your agent before you need it.
Your winter checklist
A little prep now can prevent a lot of disruption in January.
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Know where your main water shut-off valve is, and make sure at least two people on your team know too.
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Keep the heat at a steady temperature, including nights, weekends and holiday closures. Many experts suggest no lower than 55 degrees.
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Insulate pipes in exterior walls, crawl spaces and unheated storage areas, and have sprinkler systems inspected.
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Consider a low-temperature or water-leak alarm that alerts your phone.
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Line up snow and ice removal now, and collect a current certificate of insurance from your contractor.
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Keep salt or deicer and traction mats near entrances.
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Review who drives for your business, including employees who use their own cars.
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Write down a simple plan for closing safely during a storm and reaching employees.
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Ask your agent about vacancy rules, business income limits, waiting periods and utility service coverage on your policy.
Let’s talk before the first freeze
Every business and every policy is a little different, and coverage varies by policy and carrier. If you would like a second set of eyes on your coverage before winter settles in, we are happy to walk through it with you and answer questions in plain language. Reach the Hosket Ulen team at .
