Preparing your home for big freezes

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- From frozen oranges in California to deadly winter storms across the country, extreme weather has taken a very expensive toll. We tell you how to protect your most important assets from the wrath of Mother Nature.

1: Know what's covered

Winter can be brutal on your home. Your homeowner's insurance covers burst pipes and ice dams in your gutter. Ice dams are caused when ice forms on your home's eaves, and water from melted snow flows from your roof, gets backed up behind the ice and flows under the shingles and into your home. You're also covered (to a degree) if a tree hits your home.

Remember, you'll only be able to recoup the cost of removing the tree up to $500. But if a tree just falls in your backyard, you're on your own. If a neighbors tree damages your property, make sure to report it to your insurance company. In some cases you may get your deductible back if your neighbor was found negligent.

And although you're covered if someone slips and falls on your property under your liability policy, you should be sure to clear your walkways of ice and snow.

2: Protect your pipes

And even though your homeowner's insurance covers burst pipes, there are steps you can take to prevent freezing pipes in the first place. You'll want to open hot and cold faucets enough to let them drip slowly. By keeping water moving through the pipes, you'll prevent freezing. You can also improve the circulation of heated air near pipes by opening the kitchen cabinet doors beneath the kitchen sink.

3: Get the right De-Icer

If you live in colder areas prone to icing and heavy snowfall, you should have a strong de-icer on hand, like Calcium Chloride. It costs about 10 times more than rock salt, but it's also much more powerful. If you live in more moderate climates that have occasional snowfall, you're probably better off just stocking up on rock salt according to the Salt Industry.

A 50 pound bag can costs just under $10. Whatever you do, make sure you don't oversalt. Both rock salt and calcium chloride can be corrosive to concrete that has not been mixed or finished properly.

If you have a driveway that is full of chinks and scars, be very cautious when using salt. To get the best results from salt de-icers, you'll want to put it on the ground before the first flakes begin to form.

4: Prepare your car

As we've all seen, driving in winter weather can take a serious toll on your car. You should first check the tire pressure in your car. Low temperatures cause the air pressure in your tires to drop. And that means you'll have less grip on the road. And you wouldn't want that as you're driving through sleet or blizzards.

You want to check the battery too. Very cold temperatures can reduce a vehicle's battery power by up to 50 percent according to Edmunds.com. Remember to have enough antifreeze on hand too. And of course you'll want to stock up on the supplies you keep in the car. Make sure you have sand or kitty litter to help you out of slippery road conditions. And don't forget the extra washer fluid and jumper cables.

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