Winter is here, bringing cold temperatures and the potential for a common homeowner headache: frozen pipes. Not only can frozen pipes disrupt your water supply, but they can also burst, causing costly damage to your home. Thankfully, with a bit of preparation and the right strategies, you can significantly reduce the risk of this happening. Here’s how:

1. Understand Why Pipes Freeze: Pipes freeze when temperatures drop below 32°F (0°C), especially in unheated or poorly insulated areas of your home. The water inside the pipes expands as it freezes, increasing pressure and potentially causing the pipe to rupture. Preventing this starts with keeping water flowing and temperatures above freezing.

2. Insulate Vulnerable Pipes: Pipes in unheated areas, like basements, crawl spaces, attics, garages, or exterior walls, are most at risk. Here’s how to insulate them:

• Use Pipe Insulation: Wrap exposed pipes with foam insulation sleeves or heat tape designed for pipes.
• Seal Gaps: Check for gaps around pipes that allow cold air to enter, and seal them with caulk or expanding foam.

3. Keep Your Home Warm: Maintaining consistent indoor temperatures is crucial during freezing weather:

• Set Your Thermostat: Keep your thermostat set to at least 55°F (12.8°C), even if you're away.
• Open Cabinet Doors: Allow warm air to circulate around pipes under sinks in the kitchen and bathrooms.
• Close Garage Doors: If you have water supply lines in your garage, keeping the door closed will help maintain warmth.

4. Let Faucets Drip:  Running water doesn’t freeze as easily. During extreme cold snaps:

• Let a trickle of water run from faucets connected to vulnerable pipes.
• Focus on the faucets farthest from the main water supply to keep the entire system active.

5. Protect Outdoor Plumbing: Don’t overlook your exterior pipes and faucets:

• Disconnect Hoses: Remove garden hoses and drain outdoor faucets before the first freeze.
• Install Faucet Covers: Use insulated faucet covers to protect outdoor spigots.
• Drain Sprinkler Systems: If you have a lawn irrigation system, ensure it’s drained and winterized.

6. Take Precautions Before Leaving Home: If you’re planning to be away during winter, don’t forget these tips:

• Leave your heat on and set it to at least 55°F (12.8°C).
• Shut off and drain your home’s water supply to prevent frozen water in the pipes.

7. Be Prepared for Emergencies: Despite your best efforts, pipes can still freeze in extreme conditions. Know what to do:

• Thaw Safely: Use a hairdryer, heating pad, or space heater to warm the frozen area gradually. Avoid open flames or high heat, which can damage pipes.
• Call a Professional: If you’re unsure or unable to thaw the pipe, call a licensed plumber.

The Bottom Line
Preventing frozen pipes is about preparation and vigilance. Insulating pipes, maintaining a warm home, and taking proactive steps during cold snaps can save you from the expense and inconvenience of water damage. As part of your winter readiness, consider reviewing your homeowners' insurance policy to ensure you’re covered for burst pipes and related damages.

​Need More Help?
If you have questions about protecting your home or your insurance coverage, our team at ROC Insurance Group is here to help. Contact us today to ensure you’re winter-ready and well-protected.

​What is Open Enrollment?

Open Enrollment is the annual period when you can sign up for, renew, or make changes to your health insurance plan. For most people, this is the only time you can enroll in a new plan unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to life events like marriage, childbirth, or a change in employment.

Whether you’re enrolling through the government marketplace, an employer, or a private insurer, Open Enrollment is your opportunity to review your current coverage, explore new options, and ensure you have the right health plan for the coming year.

How ROC Insurance Group Can Help During Open Enrollment

​At ROC Insurance Group, we’re in the business of helping people. Our mission is to simplify the insurance process, making it easy for individuals, families, and businesses to make informed choices that protect their health and financial future. During Open Enrollment, we provide expert guidance and a personalized approach to help you select a plan with confidence. Here’s how we support you:

• We Help Consumers Save Money: Our team evaluates the available plans to find the most affordable, high-quality options that suit your needs. We look beyond just premiums, helping you balance costs, deductibles, and coverage options to get the best value.
• We Help Businesses Reduce Risk: For business owners, choosing the right group health plans is essential for employee satisfaction and minimizing financial risk. We work closely with businesses to design group plans that are cost-effective and beneficial for their workforce.
• We Help Families Protect and Preserve Their Financial Future: We understand how healthcare costs can impact your family’s financial stability. During Open Enrollment, we assist families in selecting plans that offer peace of mind, ensuring they are covered for both routine and unexpected medical needs.

When is Open Enrollment for 2025?

For the 2025 plan year, Open Enrollment through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace has three important dates:

• November 1, 2024: Open Enrollment starts — first day to enroll in, renew, or change Marketplace plans.
• December 15, 2024: Last day to enroll in or make changes to ensure coverage begins on January 1, 2025.
• January 15, 2025: Open Enrollment ends — this is the last day to enroll in or change Marketplace plans for the year, with coverage starting on February 1, 2025.

If you’re considering new options or haven’t reviewed your plan recently, these dates are key to ensuring you have the right coverage.

Choosing the Right Plan with ROC Insurance Group’s Help

Selecting the right health plan can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options. Here’s how ROC Insurance Group helps simplify the decision-making process during Open Enrollment:

1. Personalized Needs Assessment: We start by assessing your healthcare needs and financial goals, helping you identify which types of plans fit best. We ensure that the plan you select aligns with your unique lifestyle, health, and budget.
2. Plan Comparison and Expert Guidance: With so many different plan types—such as HMOs, PPOs, EPOs, and HDHPs—understanding the pros and cons of each can be challenging. We walk you through each option, breaking down coverage details and costs so you can make an informed choice.
3. Maximizing Your Savings: At ROC Insurance Group, affordability is a priority. We help you explore available subsidies, compare premiums, and evaluate out-of-pocket expenses to find a high-value plan that fits your budget.
4. Ongoing Support and Follow-Up: After you’ve selected a plan, we continue to provide support throughout the year. Our team is here to assist with any questions or changes that may arise, ensuring you’re prepared for the next Open Enrollment as well.
   
   

Frequently Asked Questions About Open Enrollment.

1. What if I miss Open Enrollment?

If you miss the Open Enrollment period, you’ll generally need to wait until the following year to enroll unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period due to a life event, such as marriage, birth, adoption, or job change.

2. Can I keep my current plan?

Yes, you can typically renew your existing plan. However, it’s wise to review other options since premiums, benefits, and provider networks can change each year. Reviewing your choices helps ensure you’re getting the most suitable coverage.

3. What happens if I don’t have insurance?

Not having health insurance leaves you vulnerable to high medical costs and limits access to preventive care. Although there’s no federal penalty for being uninsured, some states may impose penalties, so it’s important to check local regulations.

Final Thoughts: Choose ROC Insurance Group for a Smooth Open Enrollment Process

At ROC Insurance Group, Open Enrollment is more than just a period to enroll in a plan—it’s a chance to secure your health and financial wellbeing for the year ahead. With our dedication to helping people, saving money, reducing risk, and protecting families’ financial futures, we strive to make the Open Enrollment process as straightforward and supportive as possible.

Let ROC Insurance Group guide you through Open Enrollment for 2025, so you can focus on what matters most: your health, your loved ones, and your financial security.

Welcome to our new insurance agency blog!
 
This is our very first post. We're not quite sure what we're going to write about here, but the plan is to create helpful content for customers and prospective clients about information that is relevant to you.
 
We hope you'll come to view this as a top resource for keeping your family and your finances safe.
 
Here are a few of the topics we may be writing about:

• Answers to clients' frequently asked questions.
• Helpful information about insurance shopping.
• Safety and Health Tips and Ideas.
• Local Community Information.

 
Stay Tuned!