Heavy Rain and Wild Wind Gusts Last Weekend While Snow Is Once Again in this Week’s Forecast

RICHMOND, VA (February 18, 2025) – The roller coaster ride that is Winter 2025 continues this week.  After a weekend marked by heavy rains, high winds and spring-like temperatures, wintry weather is back in the forecast for mid-week.  Current forecasts call for the potential for heavy snow across many parts of Virginia with higher amounts to the east and southeast sections of the state including the Hampton Roads area.

The storm is set to start impacting Virginia on Wednesday morning, with snow showers continuing into Thursday for some areas. “After several mild winters, Virginians have really been challenged by several rounds of snowy weather this year,” says Morgan Dean, public and government affairs manager for AAA Mid-Atlantic. “Like with the other storms, we encourage drivers to be prepared by following local forecasts and, if they can, stay home if road conditions are going to be bad.”

For those who do have to go out, AAA reminds drivers to be safe.

AAA Tips for Driving in the Snow 

1. Remove ice or snow. Take time to remove the snow from the entire car so it doesn’t blow onto your windshield or the windshields of other drivers. Clear windows, mirrors and lights to have a 360 degree view around the vehicle.
2. See and be seen. Make sure windshield wipers and defrosters are in good working order. Fill the windshield washer fluid reservoir with a winter cleaning solution that has antifreeze components to prevent it from freezing. Turn on your headlights to be seen by other drivers.
3. Increase following distance. A greater cushion of safety between vehicles can prevent crashes.
4. Pay attention.  It’s never okay to drive distracted, but during inclement weather, when visibility can be diminished due to precipitation, drivers need to be focused.  Watch other vehicles. Actions by other drivers will alert you to problems and give you extra seconds to react.
5. Slow and Steady. Drivers who move cautiously are more likely to maintain control of their vehicle and if control is lost then the lower the speed often the less severe the incident.
6. Beware of bridges and overpasses. Bridges, areas under them and overpasses freeze faster than other road surfaces.
7. No cruising. Don’t use cruise control in precipitation and freezing temperatures.
8. If your tires lose traction, steer in the direction you want to go. If the drive wheels start to spin or slide while going up a hill, ease off the accelerator slightly and then gently resume speed.
9. Know your car. Guard against SUV overconfidence. SUV’s have the same difficulty keeping control and stopping as other vehicles.
10. If you don’t have to drive don’t. Find alternate means of transportation or wait to drive until the storm has passed and streets and roads are clear.

With the weather Virginia has experienced over the past week, along with what we’re expecting over the next few days, it’s important to know what to do if you have damage to your car or home from the wind, rain, snow or ice.

“Many may see winter storms as a temporary inconvenience, but snow, ice, wind, flooding and freezing rain can result in property damage to vehicles and homes,” says Rebecca Schafer, AAA Senior Insurance Agent. “Navigating insurance claims can be challenging.  AAA urges homeowners to contact their insurance provider immediately to better understand property damage claims as well as auto insurance claims.”

AAA Tips on Insurance Coverage for Vehicles and Homes

Vehicles

• Physical damage to a car caused by heavy wind or fallen tree limbs is covered under the optional comprehensive portion of an auto policy.
• If your car is damaged by a fallen tree or limbs, you would need to file a claim using your vehicle policy’s comprehensive coverage.

Homes

• If your tree falls on your house, your insurance will cover removal of the tree and home repairs due to damage.
• If your tree falls on your neighbor’s house, your neighbor’s homeowner’s policy would provide insurance coverage. The same holds true if your neighbor’s tree falls on your home; you would file a claim with your own insurance company.
• If a tree falls in your yard, but doesn’t hit anything, you would pay for its removal in most cases.
• Additionally, if a tree on your property is weak, damaged, or decayed, but you do nothing about it, and it crashes down on a neighbor’s home (or vehicle), you could be held liable for damages.
• Wind-related damage to a house, its roof, its contents and other insured structures on the property is covered under standard homeowner’s insurance policies. Wind-driven rain that causes an opening in the roof or wall and enters through this opening is also covered.
• Damage to a house and its contents caused by a collapse is covered under standard homeowners insurance policies.

For homeowners who experienced damage to cars, homes or property, AAA Insurance recommends these tips to help the claims process go smoothly:

• Take appropriate immediate and temporary measures to prevent further damage. If you do make minor repairs before an insurance adjuster arrives, save receipts to submit for reimbursement.
• Phone your insurance agent or company immediately. Be prepared with a list of questions ahead of time: Am I covered? Does my claim exceed my deductible? How long will it take to process my claim? Will I need to obtain estimates for repairs to structural damage?
• If your home is damaged to the extent you cannot live there, find out if you have coverage for additional living expenses for accommodations while repairs are completed. If you do stay at a hotel, keep your receipts for reimbursement.
• Schedule a time for an adjuster to inspect the damage to your property.
• Prepare a list of lost or damaged articles. Avoid throwing out damaged items until the adjuster has visited. Consider photographing or videotaping the damage.
• Get claim forms. Insurance companies will send required claim forms by a specified time period. Be sure to completely fill out the form and return promptly to avoid delays.

Wild weather events should also serve as a reminder for homeowners to regularly review their insurance policies to become familiar with their coverage, so they are prepared and informed if, and when, disaster strikes.