Texas is known for having hellishly hot summers; the residents are used to it but for visitors, it can be brutal. This week's weather in Texas is in the single digits, with below zero wind chills in many areas. So it seems to some extent that hell has actually frozen over. Texas is not the only state suffering; other southern states that generally don't get cold are experiencing frigid temperatures as well as ice and snow.

We've already had questions from colleagues about frozen pipes and what is and isn't covered. In light of the fact that much of the country is frozen over as well as having sleet, freezing rain and snow, we have put together a collection of previous questions and answers and articles surrounding such topics.

One of the first things to come up has been frozen pipes due to rolling brown or blackouts by the power company. The standard homeowners policy requires the insured to maintain heat in the dwelling in order for frozen pipes to be covered. What happens when the insured cannot keep the pipe warm because of the power company? The homeowners policy will provide coverage. A rolling brownout is not the fault of the insured; it is not the insured turning the thermostat too low when going to Florida for the winter or otherwise not winterizing the house in some way.