Use last of the warm days to ready your home for winter

Following last year’s extreme weather, Sainsbury’s Bank Home Insurance is urging all home owners to undertake a few simple tasks while the weather is good, to ensure that their homes are better protected against the elements.

The supermarket bank is warning homeowners that the likelihood of needing to make a home insurance claim in winter is significantly elevated. Analysis of its claims data from a twelve-month period between March 2013 and February 2014 shows there were almost three times as many claims last winter (179% more) than there were in spring, twice as many  more (+110%) than in summer and 59% more than in autumn.

Just over a quarter (28%), people surveyed for the bank said that their homes were very prepared for winter, (44%) felt that their homes were reasonably well prepared and only 1% said that their homes were not at all prepared. 

The vast majority (31%) of home insurance claims last year were for storms and damage in relation to bad weather, including roof damage. Escaped water (burst pipes) damage accounted for over 10% of all home insurance claims, according to Sainsbury’s Home Insurance data.

Locating the source of a water leak can be tricky and expensive, and ‘trace and access cover’, which comes as standard with all Sainsbury’s Home Insurance policies ensures that costs associated with locating, and accessing the source of a water leak will be met.

Tom Thompson of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance said: “There’s no doubt last winter was extremely tough on many households, and while you can’t mitigate against all eventualities, there are certainly some things you can do to help winter-proof your house. Key things to check are gutters and drains, roofs and boilers. And we’d strongly recommend householders find out where their water valve is and how to turn it off.”

Sainsbury’s Home Insurance winter preparation tips

Ensure gutters and drain covers are cleared of leaves and debris

Have a look at your roof (or get a professional to check); ensure it is sturdy with no tiles missing, and the chimney stack looks in good shape

Check loft insulation is thick enough and in good condition

Have your heating system and boiler checked

Insulate exposed pipes or water tanks to prevent them from freezing and bursting

Learn how to turn off your water valve in case of burst pipes

Keep a supply of salt, or grit, in case of snow

Nectar card holders who take out Sainsbury’s Home Insurance will receive double Nectar points on Sainsbury’s shopping and fuel for two years; and extra discounts are available to those who hold Sainsbury’s Car Insurance; those who have a five year (or more) claim free history; and those who purchase online.