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For many people across Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and the rest of Atlantic Canada, opening the cottage is one of the first real signs that warmer weather is on the way. After months of snow, wind, and freezing temperatures, it is hard not to look forward to dock days, BBQ suppers, and weekends by the water.

But before you settle in for the season, it is worth taking the time to open your cottage properly.

A careful spring check can help you catch damage left behind by winter, make sure key systems are working the way they should, and reduce the chances of running into bigger problems once summer is in full swing. It is also a good time to think about your cottage insurance and whether your coverage still fits how you use the property.

Why a Proper Cottage Opening Matters

After sitting closed up all winter, a seasonal property can develop issues that are easy to miss at first glance. Snow load, ice buildup, freezing temperatures, moisture, and pests can all cause damage over the off-season. A thorough opening routine gives you a chance to spot those problems early, before they turn into expensive repairs.

There is also the safety side of things. Checking your heating equipment, electrical systems, water lines, and overall condition helps make sure the cottage is ready for you, your family, and your guests.

And from an insurance perspective, maintenance matters. Keeping your cottage in good condition can help reduce risk, and spring is a smart time to review your policy to make sure you still have the right protection for your seasonal property.

A Cottage Opening Checklist for Spring

Here are some practical steps to help get your place ready for another season.

1. Start with a full exterior walkaround. Before carrying anything inside, take a slow walk around the property. Check the roof, siding, foundation, deck, steps, windows, and doors for signs of winter damage. Look for missing shingles, cracked vents, loose flashing, fallen branches, and blocked gutters or downspouts. This first look can help you catch obvious issues before they get worse.
2. Check for signs of water damage or moisture. When you go inside, look for staining on ceilings or walls, soft spots near windows and doors, warped wood, or any musty smell that could point to moisture or mould. Winter leaks are easier to deal with when they are found early. Pay close attention to basements, crawl spaces, utility rooms, and areas around plumbing.
3. Inspect the fireplace or woodstove. If your cottage has a fireplace or woodstove, give it a proper inspection before using it. Check the chimney and venting for blockages, nesting materials, or visible damage. Make sure the damper is working and clear out any leftover ash if that was not done at the end of the season. If the system has not been professionally cleaned or inspected in a while, spring is a good time to book that service.
4. Restore power carefully. If the power was shut off for the winter, turn it back on carefully and check that your electrical panel is operating normally. Once power is restored, test major appliances one at a time, such as the fridge, freezer, stove, and microwave. It is also a good idea to check smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors at this stage and replace batteries where needed.
5. Get heating and cooling systems ready. Early spring weather in Atlantic Canada can still be chilly, so you may need heat before you need open windows. If your cottage uses a furnace, heat pump, baseboards, or another heating system, make sure everything is working properly. If you use an air conditioning unit later in the season, now is also a good time to clean filters and clear away debris.
6. Turn the water back on slowly. Bringing the water system back online is one of the most important parts of opening a cottage. Turn on the main supply slowly, then check pipes, taps, toilets, and the hot water tank for leaks. Run each faucet individually and watch for any drops in pressure or signs of damage from freezing. If your property uses a well or water filtration system, inspect those components too and replace filters if needed.
7. Take a look at the septic system. Before the cottage gets busy for the season, inspect the area around your septic tank and field. Watch for pooling water, unusual odours, or soggy ground that could signal a problem. If it has been a while since the system was serviced or pumped, it may be time to arrange that before peak summer use.
8. Check for pests and unwanted visitors. Seasonal properties can attract mice, insects, and other animals over the winter. Look for droppings, nests, chewed materials, or openings where pests may have gotten inside. Check storage areas, under sinks, in cupboards, and around utility access points. Dealing with it now is much easier than discovering it mid-season.
9. Restock supplies and inspect stored items. Go through your pantry, cleaning supplies, and any products left at the cottage over winter. Some items do not hold up well in freezing temperatures, including certain paints, liquids, cleaners, and canned goods. Throw out anything damaged, expired, or questionable. Once that is done, restock the basics so the cottage is ready for use.
10. Get outdoor equipment ready. If you have a BBQ, reconnect the propane tank and inspect the hoses, burners, and igniter before using it. Clean the grill thoroughly and make sure everything is working safely. This is also a good time to check patio furniture, the dock, tools, and any other outdoor equipment you will be relying on during the summer.
11. Update your photos and records. Taking photos at the start of the season is a smart habit. A current set of exterior and interior photos can help you document the condition of the property and contents, which may be helpful for insurance purposes if damage or theft happens later. Keep receipts for any repairs, upgrades, or new items you bring to the cottage.
12. Stock the fridge and enjoy the season. Once the essentials are checked and the cottage is running properly, you can do the fun part. Fill the fridge, open the windows, let in some fresh air, and get ready to enjoy the season ahead.
13. Stay on top of routine maintenance. Opening weekend is also a good time to tackle smaller maintenance jobs before they turn into bigger and more expensive problems later on. Cleaning eavestroughs, checking caulking around windows and doors, inspecting the roof, servicing heating equipment, tightening loose boards, and looking for early signs of wear can all help prevent larger issues down the road. A little preventative maintenance each season can go a long way toward protecting your cottage, avoiding unexpected repairs, and keeping everything in good shape for the months ahead.

Questions We Hear Often Hear from Cottage Owners About their Insurance:

Here are a  few common questions we hear from our customer:

1. Does my cottage policy cover wildfire damage? Many cottage owners assume fire coverage is the same from one policy to the next, but that is not always the case. Fire coverage is a key part of cottage insurance, but policy wording still matters. Some policies may include limitations or exclusions that affect how certain losses are handled. If you have a woodstove, fireplace, or other solid-fuel heating source, it is especially important to review the policy details with your broker. After the wildfire concerns and burn bans seen across parts of Atlantic Canada last summer, this is an important time to review your policy wording carefully. Not all cottage policies offer the same protection, and this is one area where the details matter.
2. Does my cottage policy still reflect the value of the property? If you have made improvements, added a deck, replaced the roof, built a bunkie, or upgraded finishes or systems, your coverage may need to be updated. Spring is a good time to make sure your building limit still reflects what it would cost to repair or rebuild.
3. Are my shed, garage, bunkie, or other outbuildings covered? Not always in the way people expect. Some policies include limited coverage for detached structures, while others may have restrictions or separate limits. If you have added outbuildings or made improvements to existing ones, it is worth reviewing how they are insured.
4. Do I have coverage for water damage or sewer backup? This is one of the biggest areas where policies can differ. Water damage coverage is not the same on every policy, and sewer backup may be included, optional, limited, or excluded depending on the insurer and the property. It is important to know what your policy actually says before a problem happens.
5. Do I have adequate water damage coverage and what does it cover? Maybe.  Maybe not.  The wording in your policy matters. And even if included, coverage often depends on the circumstances and whether the property was properly winterized, maintained, and checked as required by the policy. Seasonal properties can come with specific conditions, so it is important to understand your responsibilities while the cottage is unoccupied.
6. Are there exclusions or special limits in my policy I should know about? Possibly. Not all cottage policies offer the same level of protection. Some may have lower limits for certain types of losses, restrictions on detached buildings, or exclusions for specific risks. Reviewing the details now can help prevent surprises at claim time.
7. Do I need to update my policy if I made changes last year? Yes, in many cases. Renovations, new structures, updated heating systems, or changes in how often the cottage is used can all affect your insurance. Even changes that seem minor can matter when it comes to your coverage.
8. Is my contents coverage enough for what I keep at the cottage? Cottages often contain more value than people realize, from furniture and appliances to tools, watercraft, and recreational gear. Spring is a good time to think about what is actually on the property and whether your contents coverage still makes sense.
9. What should I review with my broker before cottage season starts? Ask about your building limit, valuation, outbuilding coverage, water damage protection, sewer backup, contents limits, liability coverage, exclusions, and any policy conditions that apply while the property is vacant or unoccupied. A short conversation in the spring can help you head into the season with more confidence.

Review Your Cottage Insurance Before the Season Starts

Spring is also a good time to take a closer look at your cottage insurance. Not all policies are built the same, and two cottage policies can look similar at first glance while providing very different protection.

It is important to review details such as:

1. Building limits and valuation — Make sure the amount of insurance on the cottage still reflects what it would cost to repair or rebuild today.
2. Outbuilding coverage — Sheds, detached garages, bunkies, boathouses, and other structures may have separate limits or restrictions.
3. Water damage protection — Coverage for water losses can vary significantly from one policy to another.
4. Sewer backup coverage — Some policies include it, some offer it as an option, and some may have lower limits.
5. Fire-related exclusions or restrictions — Certain policies may contain exclusions or limitations, including wording related to hostile fire damage.
6. Coverage limits overall — Some policies may include lower sub-limits for specific types of damage, property, or detached structures.
7. Excluded coverages — There may be protections you assume are included that are actually excluded unless added separately.

That is why it is so important to review the fine print and ask questions before the season begins. If you have made upgrades to the property, added a new outbuilding, installed a woodstove, or changed how often the cottage is used, those details could affect your coverage.

A quick policy review now can help avoid surprises later if you ever need to make a claim.

Enjoy Cottage Season with Confidence

Getting your cottage ready for spring takes a bit of work, but it can make a big difference. A proper opening helps protect your property, gives you a better sense of any issues that need attention, and helps set the stage for a safer, more relaxing season.

Whether your getaway is in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, or elsewhere in Atlantic Canada, a little preparation now can help you make the most of every weekend ahead.

If you are getting ready to open your seasonal property, talk to Munn Insurance about making sure your cottage coverage is ready for the season too.