Markham, ON – March 20, 2014: It’s been a long, cold winter for most Canadians and we’ve been waiting for things to warm up! After so many weeks of snow and freezing cold, melting snow and ice can lead to moisture intrusion and water damage to homes. A severe winter can also lead to a high number of potholes on the roads we travel, which can cause damage to cars. 

Allstate offers the following tips to help protect your home as the temperatures rise:

• Remove snow from basement stairwells, window wells and around walls.
• Ensure downspouts are clear and drain properly – ideally six feet away from the home.
• Clear snow and ice from sewer drains and storm basins near your property so that water can drain properly as snow melts.
• Check walls, floors, windows and foundations for cracks or leaks and make any necessary repairs immediately.
• If you have a sloped roof, hire a professional to remove accumulated snow or use a roof rake. This will help prevent  ice dams from forming as temperatures rise and fall.

Tips to help protect your car:

• Leave plenty of room in front of your vehicle so you can avoid potholes that may not be immediately visible.
• If you can’t avoid a pothole, slow down before you hit it, but don’t brake while going over it. Braking can actually cause more damage to your vehicle.
• Use caution and drive slowly when driving through puddles or snow as  both can hide  particularly deep potholes.

If you encounter damage to your home or vehicle this spring, or if any further support is needed, please contact your insurance agent. Allstate customer claims can be reported to Allstate Canada’s 24-hour, 7 days a week claims line at 1-800-387-0462. Or contact Allstate online. For more tips and advice, visit our online learning centre.

About Allstate Insurance Company of Canada
Allstate Insurance Company of Canada is one of the country’s leading producers and distributors of home and auto insurance products, serving Canadians since 1953. The company strives to keep its customers in "Good Hands®" as well as its employees, and has recently been listed for the second year in a row on the Best Employers in Canada list. Allstate Canada is committed to making a positive difference in the communities in which it operates and has partnered with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD Canada), United Way and Junior Achievement. To learn more about Allstate Canada, visit www.allstate.ca.

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For more information, please contact:
Kevin Wilson
Senior Communications Specialist
T: 905.475.4527
kwilson@allstate.ca