Higher than average snowfall and a devastating ice storm conspired to create a damaging winter for many cottage owners in Ontario.
Muskoka, Simcoe, and the Kawarthas regions were especially hit hard, with extended power outages, downed tree branches, and multiple roof collapses.
“This year, we had a 200% increase in cottage claims from last year due to severe winter weather,” said Shawn Mckone, Senior Technical Manager of Aviva’s Lifestyle Claims.
“Although residential properties in surrounding areas were also hit hard, cottage country was particularly affected.”
Mckone shared three main perils that were responsible for most of the higher claims volume—and what cottage owners can do to prevent them.
1. Roof collapses under heavy snow loads
This year, there were multiple cases of cottage roofs collapsing under the weight of accumulated snow. A buildup of snow can lead to weights far beyond what an average cottage roof can withstand, causing serious structural damage.
“With these claims, there’s a very high likelihood that they end up as a total loss. You can’t fix severe structural losses at a reasonable cost, so in many cases we must demolish the cottage and rebuild,” said Mckone.
“It’s a severe claim and very expensive.”
One of Aviva’s roof collapse claims was a garage that housed 10 collector cars, leading to the total loss of seven vehicles.
The best way to prevent a roof collapse is to have someone check on the cottage throughout the winter, especially when there is higher-than-average snowfall forecasted. Some years, the roof may need to be cleared more than once to avoid a structural failure.
“It’s important to be aware of general weather conditions over the winter. Make arrangements to ensure that snow and ice don’t build up,” said Mckone.
He also cautions cottage owners to tend to the rooftops of outbuildings on the property, including sheds, garages, shops, and gazebos.
2. Roof leaks from ice damming
Winter 2025 brought more ‘ice damming’ than usual. This occurs when a ridge of ice forms at the edge of a roof, preventing melting snow from draining off.
“Ice damming is a real risk for some cottages because this can go unobserved and uncorrected for long periods,” said Mckone.
“This year, we saw some pretty nasty ice damming claims for water saturation in cottage interior walls and floors.”
Damage from ice damming varies but it can lead to water getting under shingles or flooding into the walls of the house if the eavestroughs are iced over. “Water can also spill off the side of roof instead of away from it, seeping in through doors, windows and the foundation if it’s not being properly diverted away from the cottage,” said Mckone.
Cottage owners who monitor their roofs for snow load and ice accumulation—and clear them when needed—will prevent ice dams from forming.
“If you remove snow before it turns into giant ice blocks on eavestroughs, you’ll get ahead of any ice damming issues,” he said.
“It’s also smart to make sure eavestroughs are clear and in good condition when you close the cottage for the season.”
3. Damage from fallen trees and branches
Heavy snow accumulation and a severe ice storm that hit the heavily wooded Muskoka and surrounding regions led to thousands of trees and branches crashing into structures across cottage country.
“From the winter claims we received this year, this was number one in terms of volume,” said Mckone.
“The real problem was the severe ice storm. So many trees were damaged because the ice was such an immense weight. Cottages were particularly vulnerable because they tend to be a lot closer to trees than more typical residential dwellings.”
Among the claims were a cottage owner who had 20 trees felled on his property and another whose cottage was hit by seven trees coming down from different directions.
Mckone says the best prevention tactic is to trim and maintain tree branches around the cottage throughout the year.
“When it doubt, consult with an arborist who can assess the health of the trees, particularly ones that have branches that hang over a cottage,” he said.
He notes that, while they can’t control the weather, cottage owners can take care to be aware of its effects all year round.
“The best thing you can do is periodically check on your cottage during the winter to see if there’s anything that can be done to prevent or mitigate damage from harsh weather.”
