Here are four common types of winter-related home damage and how to avoid them, as well as how home insurance works in the event you can't.

1. Burst water pipes

A frozen water pipe could be the cause of your kitchen faucet not working on a cold winter morning. Frozen pipes can burst and cause unintentional water damage that can be costly to repair.

Allow your faucets to drip on the coldest days to keep pipe water from freezing and bursting. Cover pipes in spaces exposed to the coldest temperatures, such as basements and attics, with sleeves or newspaper. If a pipe does freeze, turn off the water immediately and thaw the frozen water with a heated pad or hair dryer.

But don't be concerned if a pipe bursts. According to Steve Wilson, senior underwriting manager at Hippo Insurance, "almost all [home] insurance policies will cover the resulting damage from a burst pipe." After you pay your deductible, your home insurance will pay out up to the limits of your policy. Your dwelling coverage will pay for home repairs, whereas your personal property coverage will pay for damaged possessions.

Remember that in order for an accidental water damage claim to be approved, homeowners must take steps to reduce the likelihood of it occurring, such as keeping the home's temperature at a minimum of 55 degrees during cold weather. If water damage occurs, homeowners must take action to prevent further damage, such as turning off the water valve.

2. Ice dams on the roof

When snow melts and refreezes near the gutters or roof edges, a "ice dam" forms on the roof. When the ice begins to melt, water can seep under roof shingles, causing mold and leakage. And while the icicles that form on your roof may be beautiful, a heavy icicle can rip a gutter off.

Your homeowners insurance will most likely cover ice dam damage, but with a little extra care, you may be able to avoid it entirely. Seal any areas where warm air could leak up from your living areas to ensure your attic is adequately insulated. This will keep your roof cold, preventing the formation of an ice dam. Inspect your roof with a professional to see if solutions such as heat cables and rubberized shingles can prevent ice dams from forming in the first place. Keep all gutters clear of debris so that melted snow can drain properly.

Climbing onto your roof to scrape off snow is not a good idea. This can cause shingle damage and weakening of your roof over time.

3. Fallen tree branches

Large tree branches that hang over a house could be dangerous in the winter. "We'll get tree limbs that break and fall on homes or fences... because of the weight of ice," says John Merkle, Country Financial's manager of property claims.

If an icy branch does fall, your insurance policy's dwelling coverage should cover necessary home repairs, while your other structures coverage should cover things like a damaged fence or shed.

Merkle recommends trimming your trees on a regular basis to avoid the problem entirely. In fact, if the damage is determined to be the result of a lack of maintenance over time, an insurer may deny the claim.

4. House fires

As people light candles and use fireplaces, house fires are a common cause of winter insurance claims. These pointers can help you avoid unwelcome flames:

• In the event of a power outage, use flashlights instead of candles and turn off all electric appliances.
• Keep Christmas trees hydrated to prevent them from drying out and becoming fire hazards.
• Never heat your home with a stove.
• Keep portable heaters at least 3 feet away from anything flammable, and unplug them while sleeping.
• Install a glass or metal screen in front of your fireplace and have it cleaned once a year by a professional chimney sweep.

As long as the fire was not intentionally started, your home insurance will cover the damage. If you need to stay somewhere else due to smoke or reconstruction, the loss of use coverage in your insurance policy can help pay for hotel bills and additional living expenses. Keep all receipts in case your insurer requires proof of expenditure.

Know your insurance limits and exclusions

So you're ready if disaster strikes, talk to your insurance agent or company about what is and isn't covered in your home policy. You can also look at your insurer's declarations page for a list of what is covered and the exclusions section of your policy for anything that isn't.

Another thing to double-check? Your personal property boundaries. Certain items, such as jewelry or antiques, may have lower limits than other possessions. If you have a lot of valuables, you may need more coverage.