Winter storms caused an estimated $2.3 billion in insured losseslast year, and with the millions of Americans--particularly thosein the Midwest and Northeast--affected by brutal winter weather,this year's total looks to be as high.

And while an agent or broker may live in an area with 20 inchesof fresh snow on the ground, it's business as usual and clientsneed to be serviced.

Matt Edmonds, director of Vertical Markets, Property &Casualty at LexisNexis, addresses some of the concerns agents andbrokers may have that are associated with winter stormclaims.

PC360: What are the top claims associated with a winterstorm event?

Edmonds: The top claims related to winterstorms include: water due to water leaks; fire typically caused byfireplaces or space heaters; wind such as damage to roofs andsiding; and freeze often due to frozen pipes. We know that claimsfrom January 2014 were 3% higher than in July 2013 and that freezeclaims increased off the charts and water-related losses were up23% in January.

PC360: Why do property claimsoutweigh auto claims in these events?

Edmonds: First, what you typically see isproperty claims increasing in numbers during a winter storm aheadof auto claims because government officials advise or mandate thatmotorists stay off the road until the weather passes. In this case,you’ll have expensive claims and damage from fire or roof damage.Later, when drivers are back on the roads impacted by black ice orfrozen roads from melting and refreezing you see an increase inauto claims.

PC360: How can carriers prepare toreceive these claims?

Edmonds: First is about rate. U.S.insurers have spent more time preparing than ever before, takingrate over the last several years to turn their profitabilityaround. In 2013, they reached combined ratios of 98, which was onlyone of approximately four years since 1990 the industry had beenunder 100. Second, they need to ensure the rates they’ve chosen areproper for each customer, that their portfolios are adequatelypriced and that they’ve expanded peril models in order to make surethe correct premium is in place. In this case, it appears that theyare asking how can their claims departments be ready to handle allthe additional claims.

PC360: What steps canpolicyholders take to avoid winter storm damage?

Edmonds: Policyholders can do things likemaking sure the trees around their homes are trimmed and healthy.They can wrap exterior pipes and drip faucets ahead of freezingweather and take extra precautions to ensure safety around theirspace heaters and fireplaces. If possible, park their vehicle awayfrom the street. They can prepare to work from home if possible andstay off the road during a winter storm.

PC360: How can agents help theirclients prepare for winter storms? What tips should agents passon?

Edmonds: Agents should have annual policyreviews with their clients in order to review coverages anddeductibles. Agents can also give their customers a homeowner’schecklist for making homes winter ready and recommend sites likeReady.gov,which has a list of what should be assembled in an emergency carkit.