Spring Cottage Checklist: What to Do Before Opening Season (and Why It Matters for Insurance)

Opening the cottage for the season is one of the best days of the year. But before you fire up the barbecue and launch the boat, there are a few practical steps that matter from an insurance perspective — and that can save you from unpleasant surprises if something went wrong over the winter.

Check for Winter Damage Before You Do Anything Else

The first walkthrough of the season should be a systematic inspection rather than a celebration. Winter is hard on cottage structures, and damage from ice, snow load, freeze-thaw cycles, or animals can accumulate over a long vacancy period.

Exterior inspection priorities:

• Roof: look for missing shingles, lifted flashing, sagging sections, or ice dam damage to soffits and fascia
• Foundation and piers: check for frost heave, settling, or cracking
• Deck and dock: inspect for structural damage, loose boards, and fastener integrity after ice
• Windows and doors: look for broken seals, cracked glass, or frame warping

Interior inspection priorities:

• Check for signs of water infiltration — staining on ceilings, swollen wood, or mildew smell
• Even if you drained the pipes last fall, turn the water back on slowly and watch every joint and fixture for leaks before leaving anything unattended
• Check the electrical panel for tripped breakers and inspect visible wiring for rodent damage
• Test every smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector and replace batteries regardless of their age

Document Your Contents

Spring opening is an ideal time to update your home inventory for contents coverage purposes. Walk through the cottage with your phone and take a brief video of each room, opening drawers and closets to capture what’s there. Store the video in cloud storage where it won’t be lost in a fire or theft event.

If you’ve added significant items over the winter — new appliances, furniture, electronics, or recreational equipment — review your contents limit with your broker to confirm you’re adequately covered.

Recommission Systems Carefully

When restarting plumbing, electrical, and gas systems after a long winter vacancy, take your time:

• Restore water pressure gradually and check every fixture and joint before leaving the property
• If you have a propane system, check connections and hoses for any damage before lighting appliances
• If the cottage has a generator, check fuel, oil, and battery condition before relying on it
• Inspect and clean the chimney or wood stove flue before the first fire of the season — animals sometimes nest in unused chimneys over winter

Review Your Coverage Before the Season

Spring is a natural moment to review your cottage insurance policy with your broker. Things to confirm:

• Is your dwelling limit still adequate? Construction costs in cottage country have risen significantly in recent years, and an outdated replacement cost estimate can leave you underinsured.
• Do you need to add or change any coverages — overland water, rental endorsements, new watercraft, updated outbuildings?
• Are your seasonal vacancy conditions confirmed as having been met so your coverage is fully in effect?

Report Winter Damage Promptly

If your spring inspection reveals damage that may be the result of an insured peril — ice dam water infiltration, a tree falling on the structure, or evidence of a break-in — contact your broker promptly. Delayed reporting can complicate the claims process, and some policies have conditions around timely notice of loss.

To review your coverage before opening season or to get a fresh quote on your Ontario cottage, call Luca at 705-996-1116. A quick review now can prevent a much bigger problem later.

Related Reading

• How to Winterize Your Ontario Cottage — The fall counterpart to your spring opening checklist
• Cottage Insurance — Review your coverage and get an updated quote before the season
• Making a Cottage Insurance Claim in Ontario — What to do if your spring inspection uncovers insured damage