Sainsbury’s home insurance calls for MOTs for homes

As winter approaches Sainsbury’s Home Insurance is urging home owners to make sure that they look after their properties. As a nation 56% of our wealth is tied up in residential property and with us benefiting from house price inflation which could have seen the average house increase in value by as much as £86,000 over the last five years, the bank believes it is essential we look after our biggest assets by undertaking a simple winter home MOT.

Much in the same way as motorists keeping their cars roadworthy, householders should consider whether their homes are ready for the winter and if not, protect them against adverse weather conditions. The bank believes many homeowners may not realise that if damage is caused as a result of them failing to take reasonable care of the property, the loss may not be covered by their home insurance policy.

Winter is traditionally the windiest and wettest period of the year in the UK and a substantial amount of damage can occur during strong winds because properties have been poorly maintained; Sainsbury’s Home Insurance estimates that nearly 20% of homes’ roofs are in need of maintenance. The ABI also states that approximately 5 million chimneystacks are in need of repair.

Steve Johnson, Head of Sainsbury’s Home Insurance, said: “External features of the home, such as chimneys and roofs, tend to be in a worse state of repair because they are ‘out of sight, out of mind’. Yet they are also the elements that are subjected to the highest wind speeds.

“With Winter approaching, the risk to homes from bad weather increases, but there is a lot that home owners can do to reduce losses through the maintenance of their properties.

"Homeowners may not appreciate that failing to make repairs to their home, for example not replacing loose roof tiles could result claims either not being met or not paid in full. That's why we're suggesting people think about an annual Home MOT to make sure their homes are looked after."

Sainsbury’s Home Insurance offers the following MOT tips to help home owners ensure that their property is in the best condition possible this winter:

Find the main stopcock and make sure it can be turned on and off
Use lagging on pipes and tanks in the loft and anywhere else susceptible to freezing
Replace any missing roof tiles
Regularly check drains and gutters and clear any blockages
Secure loose objects, such as garden furniture
Check that your chimneystack is in good repair
Check your loft insulation is thick enough (around 100mm is the minimum recommended) and in good condition
If you are away from home for more than a day or two, either ensure the central heating system is drained or leave your heating on to maintain an air temperature or at least 10 degrees Celsius.

As well as being competitively priced, Sainsbury’s Home Insurance also offers an extensive range of cover and benefits. This includes:

Unlimited buildings cover - makes sure you’re never under-insured
Unlike some home insurers, Sainsbury’s Bank does not apply charges for customers paying their premiums by direct debit
Maximum no-claims discount of up to 30% as standard
No-claims discount protection
Cover for accidental damage

Landlords should also ensure that their rental properties are in a good state of repair. Sainsburys Home Insurance also offers a bespoke policy for landlords.

For further information on Sainsbury’s home insurance or to receive a quote, call 0500 30 10 30 or visit sainsburys.co.uk.