Does Homeowners Insurance Cover Ice Dam Damage in Wisconsin?

You wake up to water dripping from your ceiling. Ice dams on your roof have forced meltwater under your shingles and into your home. Your first thought after "oh no" is probably: "Will insurance cover this?"

Based on helping hundreds of Milwaukee homeowners navigate ice dam insurance claims, here's what you need to know about coverage in Wisconsin.

The Short Answer

Yes, most Wisconsin homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by ice dams. This coverage typically falls under the "weight of ice and snow" or "water damage" provisions of your policy.

However—and this is important—insurance usually covers the damage caused by ice dams, not the ice dam removal itself or prevention measures. And some policies have exclusions that can complicate claims.

What Is Typically Covered

Interior Damage

When ice dam water enters your home, insurance typically covers:

Ceiling and wall damage: Drywall, paint, plaster repairs
Insulation replacement: Water-damaged insulation must be replaced
Flooring damage: Hardwood, carpet, or other flooring damaged by water
Personal property: Furniture, electronics, belongings damaged by water
Mold remediation: If mold develops from the water damage (though some policies limit this)

Roof Damage

Shingle damage: If ice physically damaged shingles
Structural damage: Ice weight that damages roof structure
Gutter damage: Gutters pulled off by ice weight

Temporary Living Expenses

If damage makes your home uninhabitable during repairs, most policies cover additional living expenses (hotel, meals, etc.).

What Is NOT Covered

Ice Dam Removal

Here's what surprises many homeowners: the cost of removing the ice dam itself is typically NOT covered. Insurance companies consider this maintenance, not damage.

Average ice dam removal cost in Milwaukee: $400-$1,200. You'll likely pay this out of pocket. (For detailed cost information, see our Ice Dam Removal Cost Guide.)

Prevention Measures

Insurance will not pay for:

Attic insulation upgrades
Ventilation improvements
Heat cable installation
Ice and water shield membrane

These are considered home maintenance and improvement, not damage repair.

Deductible

Your standard deductible applies to ice dam claims. In Wisconsin, this is typically $1,000-$2,500. For smaller ice dam events, the damage may not exceed your deductible, meaning you'll pay out of pocket entirely.

The "Gradual Damage" Problem

This is where ice dam claims get complicated. Many policies exclude "gradual damage"—damage that happens slowly over time rather than suddenly.

Why This Matters for Ice Dams

Insurance adjusters sometimes argue that ice dam damage is "gradual" because:

Ice dams form over days or weeks
Water intrusion may have started before you noticed it
The underlying conditions (poor insulation/ventilation) existed for years

How to Protect Yourself

Act immediately: Report damage as soon as you discover it. This establishes the damage as sudden, not gradual.
Document the timeline: Note when you first saw the ice dam, when you first noticed water, and when damage appeared.
Get professional assessment: A contractor's written assessment that the damage was caused by a specific ice dam event helps establish it wasn't gradual.
Don't delay repairs: Waiting to repair can be used as evidence that you knew about "gradual" damage.

How to File an Ice Dam Claim

Step 1: Document Everything Immediately

Before touching anything:

Take dated photos of the ice dam on your roof
Photograph all interior damage (ceilings, walls, floors, belongings)
Take video showing the extent of damage
Note the date and time you first discovered the damage
Document weather conditions

Step 2: Prevent Further Damage

You have a duty to mitigate (prevent additional damage). This means:

Containing water with buckets and towels
Moving belongings away from water
Calling for emergency ice dam removal

Important: Keep all receipts for emergency repairs. These costs are typically reimbursable.

Step 3: Contact Your Insurance Company

Call the claims number on your insurance card
Report the damage and request a claim number
Ask about your coverage and deductible
Request an adjuster visit
Ask about authorization for emergency repairs

Step 4: Get the Ice Dam Removed

Don't wait for the adjuster to remove the ice dam—continuing damage will hurt your claim. Call a professional for safe steam ice dam removal.

Step 5: Meet with the Adjuster

Be present during the inspection
Point out all damage, including areas the adjuster might not see
Share your documentation and photos
Ask questions about the process
Request a copy of their assessment

Step 6: Get Repair Estimates

Get 2-3 written estimates from licensed contractors
Make sure estimates cover the full scope of repairs needed
Compare to the insurance adjuster's assessment
If estimates are higher, provide them to your insurance company

Maximizing Your Claim

Know Your Policy

Before you need it, understand:

Your deductible amount
Whether you have ACV (Actual Cash Value) or RCV (Replacement Cost Value) coverage
Any special exclusions for water or ice damage
Claim filing deadlines

Document Aggressively

Don't Accept the First Offer If It's Low

If the insurance assessment seems inadequate:

Request an itemized breakdown of their assessment
Identify specific items that are missing or undervalued
Provide contractor estimates as evidence of actual repair costs
Request a re-inspection if significant damage was missed
For large claims ($10,000+), consider a public adjuster

Understand RCV vs ACV

ACV (Actual Cash Value): You receive the depreciated value of damaged items. Older roof = less payout.
RCV (Replacement Cost Value): You receive full replacement cost, typically paid in two parts—initial payment plus "recoverable depreciation" after repairs are completed.

Common Claim Mistakes to Avoid

Waiting Too Long to Report

Delayed reporting gives adjusters reason to question when damage occurred and whether you prevented additional damage.

Not Documenting Before Cleanup

Take photos before containing water or making repairs. You can't prove damage that isn't documented.

Throwing Away Damaged Items

Keep damaged items until the adjuster sees them. Take photos of everything before disposal.

Not Getting Professional Assessments

A contractor's written assessment carries weight with adjusters and can support higher claim values.

Accepting Lowball Offers

First offers are often negotiable. Don't settle for less than actual repair costs.

The Bottom Line

Most Wisconsin homeowners insurance covers ice dam damage but not ice dam removal or prevention. The key to a successful claim is acting fast, documenting thoroughly, and understanding your policy.

Our data shows 68% of ice dams cause interior water damage. If you have ice dams and water inside, you almost certainly have a valid claim—but you need to handle it correctly.

Quick Checklist

✓ Document immediately with dated photos and video
✓ Report to insurance promptly
✓ Get ice dam removed to stop ongoing damage
✓ Keep all receipts
✓ Get professional repair estimates
✓ Don't accept inadequate settlements

Dealing with ice dam damage? We provide detailed documentation that supports insurance claims, including photos, damage assessments, and written reports. Call (414) 340-3890 for emergency ice dam removal and damage assessment.