Are the cold winter days starting to wear you down? Have you spent more time shovelling your driveway than you'd like to admit? Do you long for warm beaches and refreshing breezes?

If so, you may want to trade in your winter tires for a pair of flip-flops by snowbirding in Florida — snowbirding is a fantastic way to escape the harsh winter weather, meet unique people and explore a new part of the globe.

But, before you pack your swimsuit and sunscreen, we suggest that you take some time to learn some of the best practices and rules of snowbirding in the States.

The history of snowbirding

Snowbirding has been popular for longer than you'd expect; famous Americans like Thomas Edison and Henry Ford spent the winter months relaxing in the tropics of Florida (the former doing so as early as the late-1800s).

Many people are attracted to southern states, like Florida, because of the warm climate, unique attractions and reasonable cost-of-living expenses. These factors, among many others, are why Florida has been a popular snowbird destination for decades.

When can you snowbird as a Canadian in Florida?

There's no set-in-stone schedule regarding the time frame when Canadians can snowbird in the state of Florida. But in most cases, Canadian snowbirds tend to visit from late fall to early spring.

How long can a Canadian stay in Florida as a snowbird?

The snowbird Florida rules and regulations state that Canadians can temporarily live in the state for as long as six months on a B-1/B-2 Visa. A B-1/B-2 Visa covers practically all forms of temporary travel, including business trips, tourism and visiting family members.

Best places for Canadian snowbirds to visit in Florida

Some popular locations for snowbirding in the state of Florida include:

• Tampa
• Orlando
• Jacksonville
• Fort Lauderdale
• Fort Myers

These cities are great options because they're relatively close to airports and full of affordable living spaces that are perfect for snowbirds from Canada.

But, if we're being transparent (which we always are!), there's no single best place for snowbirds in Florida — your ideal location will depend on your budget, preferences and needs.

For instance, there are snowbird locations in Florida with French-speaking populations. These locales are an excellent option for French-Canadians that want to feel at home while they're abroad.

In contrast, if you currently have young grandchildren, you may want to consider a location that is a short drive away from amusement parks or other fun attractions.

Canadian snowbird destinations outside of Florida

Although Florida is a beautiful state, it isn't the only place that's great for snowbirding. If you feel like going someplace different, you may want to look into living spaces in the following states:

• California
• Arizona
• Texas
• New Mexico
• Georgia
• North Carolina
• South Carolina
• Mississippi
• Alabama
• Louisiana

These states have very mild winters, making them an excellent option for Canadians who want to escape the cold.

If you're looking for a unique destination outside of the United States, you may want to consider the following countries:

• Australia
• Portugal
• Spain
• Dominican Republic

Like the destinations mentioned in the previous list, these countries have temperate winters, which makes them prime contenders for snowbirds from Canada. The only noteworthy downside is that you won't be able to drive to any of the countries listed above.

Home insurance tips for snowbirds

Whether you're going to Florida or an exotic island, you should review your home insurance policy before your departure. Failing to review your home insurance policy may lead to a surprising (and potentially expensive) issue down the line.

Many home insurance companies in Canada will void your home insurance policy if your property is vacant for four (or more) consecutive days. If your policy is void, your provider will not be responsible for financially covering any events that damage your home and/or its contents.

If you're travelling for a few weeks or months and want to keep your coverage intact, then you should ask a trusted friend, family member or neighbour to check in on your home every few days. Doing this ensures that your home is at a sufficient temperature, is in good condition, and has no issues relating to ice, snow or frozen/burst pipes.

If you're snowbirding for an extended period (and have a scheduled return date), then your home will be considered "unoccupied". We suggest reaching out to your provider to learn if you should invest in vacant home insurance.

Bonus — Some home insurance companies in Canada require the home to be visited once every 24 hours for the policy to remain valid. Don't hesitate to contact your insurance provider or advisor if you need to confirm the details regarding your personal policy.

Do you want to save on home insurance? Surex can help with that

There's no denying that home insurance can be expensive in Canada, especially if you live in a major city. Whether your current provider is no longer meeting your standards, or you simply want to explore other options, our team at Surex can help.

At Surex, our team's number one goal is to help you save on insurance. How exactly do we reach this goal? It's simple, really.

We work side-by-side with the most respected home insurance companies in Canada, which allows us to offer the very best deals on home insurance. Additionally, our licensed insurance advisors have countless years of collective experience, giving them the expertise to answer any question you throw our way.

If you're in a rush, we've got you covered. We can supply you with over ten personalized home insurance quotes in ten minutes or less.

Call or click today to learn how we can help you save upwards of 25% by bundling your home insurance policy with one of our providers!

Is snowbirding right for you?

Now that you're familiar with all of the ins and outs of snowbirding in the States, you can decide whether it's right for you. As a reminder, if you have any questions about insuring your home while you're snowbirding in a foreign country, you can reach out to a Surex insurance advisor.