CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Wednesday's low was the coldest temperature we’ve seen all year. If you haven’t already turned your heater on, there's a good chance you did last night or this morning, so get ready for your gas bill to be higher.
A study by Lending Tree shows most Americans say winter is the most expensive season to prepare for.
According to a survey from a financial comparison site, Value Penguin, Americans spend an average of $1,258 prepping their cars and homes for winter.
WCNC Charlotte is always asking "where's the money?" If you need help, reach out to WCNC Charlotte by emailing money@wcnc.com.
Here are some top winter concerns:
- Power outages
- Vehicle safety
- Frozen pipes
But despite these issues, Lending Tree said people aren’t doing enough to protect themselves financially.
The study shows many homeowners are not reviewing their insurance policy ahead of the winter season. This is important because you need to know what coverage you have and if you need to buy more.
According to Lending Tree, 32% of Americans say their car and or home has been damaged by winter storms and despite this, just half of those who’ve experienced damage have filed an insurance claim.
This means many people are just leaving money on the table because among the people who actually filed a claim, 70% say their insurance fully covered their claim and 27% say their insurance partially covered it.
And even though winter can be costly, Lending Tree found 32% of Americans say they love a good snow day.
But if you’re not a fan of snow, Charlotte might be the place for you. As of Wednesday, it's been 670 days since Charlotte has had measurable snowfall. That’s the longest streak on record.
WCNC Charlotte's Where's The Money series is all about leveling the playing in the Carolinas by helping others and breaking down barriers. WCNC Charlotte doesn't want our viewers to be taken advantage of, so we’re here to help. Watch previous stories where we ask the question “Where’s the Money” in the YouTube playlist below and subscribe to get updated when new videos are uploaded.