Avalanches can cause loss of life to those who enjoy winter sports such as skiing, snowshoeing and snowmobiling if participants get caught unprotected in the midst of the disaster. About 45 people die each year in North America due to avalanches. Even with emergency beacons, not everyone is well practiced with them, which may cause lost time in finding survivors. Also, one-quarter of those caught in an avalanche die from hitting trees or rocks on the way down.

In addition, avalanches can block roads making them impassable and delaying rescue for those under the snow. An avalanche in 2015 killed at least 124 people in Afghanistan, felling trees across roads, pulling down power lines and damaging buildings.

Avalanches also affect tourism. For example, in 2012 Mount Everest climbers paid the Nepalese government $3.3 million in fees, and millions more for hotels and other services during their extended visits. An avalanche in 2014 in Nepal killed 13 Sherpas, and the remaining Sherpas threatened to quit for the season, putting tourism dollars at risk for the entire area.

Ski resorts and other businesses can be shut down until roads are clear and access available again. An avalanche may also trigger a flash flood, adding its debris to rivers and streams with the ice and snow melting and increasing water volume.

Avalanche-related claims

Property damage, business interruption and loss of rental value are all claims that may be made following an avalanche, including medical and life insurance claims. As always, flooding is excluded from any property damage policy. Unless the insured had a flood policy, there is no coverage. You don't have to live near the beach in order to be exposed to flood hazards.

Damage from the weight of ice or snow is generally covered. However, damage to trees, shrubs, plants and lawns are only covered for the following named perils: fire or lightning, explosion, riot or civil commotion, aircraft, vehicles not owned or operated by a resident of the premises, vandalism or malicious mischief, or theft. Any trees damaged by an avalanche will not be covered.

What's a 'collapse'?

An avalanche or related landslide is going to bring up the issue of collapse. If the dwelling collapses, there is coverage. However, remember a collapse is defined as an abrupt falling down or caving in of a building or any part of a building with the result that the building or that part cannot be occupied for its intended use. If the kitchen collapses there is coverage; if the kitchen wall is bulging, or sagging, or in danger of falling down, it is not covered.

It's key with collapse that the building or part actually fall down or cave in. Being close to falling in is not a collapse. Likewise the collapse must be caused by specific named perils; collapse is not open perils coverage. Covered perils are coverage C perils, decay hidden from view, hidden insect or vermin damage, weight of contents, equipment, animals or people, weight of rain collecting on the roof, or use of defective construction materials if the collapse occurs during construction.

The damage to personal property in a premises caused by the weight of ice, snow or sleet is generally covered. Of note is that when the peril is windstorm or hail, loss to property inside the dwelling caused by rain, snow, sleet, sand or dust is not covered unless the direct force of wind or hail has caused an opening in the roof or wall and the weather enters through that hole. For example, in a blizzard with howling winds, snow is blown in through poorly insulated windows; the wind did not create an opening, it just took advantage of existing space and filled the room with snow. There is no coverage. However, if an avalanche comes down the mountain pushing in a wall damaging contents but not collapsing the building, damage to the contents is covered.

Christine G. Barlow, CPCU is managing editor with FC&S, a resource for insurance coverage analysis. She may be reached a [email protected].