Metro area neighborhoods are still covered with feet of snow from last week.
If you haven't had a chance to grab the shovel, be aware that in most cities in the metro area, homeowners have 24 hours after the snowfall ends to clear their sidewalks.
The rules are a bit stricter for businesses in Denver. They have only four hours to remove snow from public sidewalks once a storm has passed.
On Monday, Denver city inspectors will be out in business districts making sure areas with heavy commercial traffic are properly shoveled.
They won't be looking at residential areas Monday.
Chances are you don't have to look very hard to find snow-covered sidewalks in your neighborhood.
Even if you think your neighbor who never shovels deserves a ticket, don't count on them getting one. The city's first contact with someone who breaks shoveling rules is to educate them about sidewalk safety and give them time to comply.
Even if your chances of getting a ticket are slim, Carole Walker, Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association, says there is another good reason to shovel your sidewalk.
"People can sue you if they slip and fall on your driveway or on your sidewalk. Just know how much insurance you have. If someone were to hurt themselves on your property, do you likely have coverage if you have homeowners insurance? But know how much you have because it has certain limits. And then consider extra if you do have a lot of assets to protect," Walker said.
Homeowners have, on average, about $300,000 dollars in liability insurance coverage.
That amount can be higher, or lower, depending on the value of your home. If a family member who lives with you is injured, the medical expenses would be covered by your health insurance.
If someone slipped and fell didn't want to sue you but did have to go to the ER, Walker says you have a certain amount of medical payments coverage.
The amount varies from policy to policy, but the limit for no-fault medical payment is usually $1,000-$2,000 Walker said.
Walker says you might also consider an umbrella policy. An umbrella policy is extra liability coverage.
Renters insurance also covers liability inside your home, while your landlord would be liable if someone took a spill outside.
Bottom line: make sure you know how much liability coverage you have, and keep your sidewalks and driveways safely shoveled to prevent accidents in the first place.
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