Winter is here, and with it the increased chance of poor weather conditions that can lead to property damage, be it vehicle or home.

With that in mind, the Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services urges residents to review their auto, home and renters insurance policies to ensure they fully understand their coverage and have a plan to pay policy deductibles in the event of an emergency.

Additionally, residents should take proactive steps to prevent winter-related damage that can help reduce repair costs and minimize disruptions when severe weather hits.

“Winter weather can bring heavy snow, high winds and freezing temperatures, so taking precautions to reduce property damage should be part of everyone’s winter preparedness checklist,” DIFS Director Anita Fox said in a news release. “Being prepared also means making sure you have the insurance coverage you need. Before a storm hits, review your insurance policies and contact your agent or insurance company with any coverage questions.”

The DIFS offers these tips for coping with what winter conditions might bring:

For automobile owners

Winter driving comes with additional risks, so it is important to check auto insurance policy to ensure it has the needed amount of coverage, such as —

— Collision coverage provides for damage to the vehicle while driving if it collides with another vehicle or object, such as a tree or utility pole, from loss of traction due to ice and snow.

— Comprehensive coverage provides for non-collision incidents where damage is still sustained. Examples include from falling tree limbs, hitting a deer, hail or vandalism.

— Property protection is one of the three mandatory coverages required to drive legally in Michigan. It provides coverage for damage unintentionally caused to another person’s property, such as sliding off the road or damaging someone’s mailbox.

For homeowners

Homeowners insurance policies usually cover damages resulting from sudden events such as burst pipes, ice dams, wind damage or a building collapse caused by the weight of ice or snow. However, coverage for power outages may only apply if the outage results from a covered event, such as wind or snow damage. Homeowners should review their policies and consider these steps to help prevent winter damage —

— Keep the home heated to at least 65 degrees to prevent frozen pipes. If traveling, have someone check the home to catch any burst pipes as soon as possible.

— Keep gutters clean to prevent ice dams, which occur when melting ice refreezes under roof shingles.

— Remove any dead or rotting trees to prevent branch breakage under the weight of snow or ice.

For more information, go to Michigan.gov/DIFS or follow the department on Facebook, X or LinkedIn. DIFS also is available 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern time Monday through Friday at 877-999-6442.