Protecting your home from winter risks starts with year-round maintenance. A home that is well cared for in all seasons is more likely to withstand extreme drops in temperature, strong winds and moist conditions. Your insurance company may also use the lack of maintenance and repair as a reason to deny your claim if your home is damaged in a winter storm, so start with a routine maintenance schedule that keeps your house strong in the face of winter weather.

Winter risks are worse when they catch you by surprise, so take a moment to educate yourself on some of the most common...