With most of the United States in a deep freeze and recordbreaking snow totals in New England, homeowners are beginning tofeel like the residents of the fictional kingdom of Arendelle,stuck in eternal winter, as in the Disney movie "Frozen."

If a foot of snow causes your roof to collapse or if extremecold temperatures cause your pipes to freeze, will your insurancepolicy cover the damage? It depends on whether your policy providescoverage for named perils or open perils. Here are some key thingsto know as you review your policy.

The Insurance Services Office (ISO) standard Homeowners formsand the equivalent American Association of Insurance Services(AAIS) forms list the weight of ice, sleet and snow as namedperils--which means that damage from the weight of ice, snow orsleet to a building or property contained in a building is covered.Loss to awnings, fences, patios, pavements, swimming pool,foundations, retaining walls, piers, wharves or docks isexcluded.

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Rosalie Donlon

Rosalie Donlon is the editor in chief of ALM's insurance and tax publications, including NU Property & Casualty magazine and NU PropertyCasualty360.com. You can contact her at [email protected].