How to avoid costly winter damage to your property
According to industry figures, 60,200 household insurance claims were made during the winter season last year, costing insurers £194 million in pay outs.
To help protect homeowners' property from severe weather damage this year, Legal & General is urging homeowners to start taking active steps to prevent any damage from happening in the first place.
In a bid to save money, some people may turn their heating off when they go away for the weekend. However, this can often prove to be a false economy, as the repair and damage caused by a frozen or burst pipe is likely to cost a lot more than turning the heating on for half an hour each day. Leaving the heating on a low setting, just in case the temperature should drop, is a good safeguard against possible damage to a home from freezing temperatures.
Malcolm Cooper, pricing and underwriting director at Legal & General's general insurance business said: "Burst pipes can be a very stressful experience, especially during the winter months as it can mean extensive damage and no hot water. However, many of the problems experienced during last year's cold snap are easily preventable and with a little preparation homeowners could be spared costly repair bills this year."
"It is worth taking the time to check that your heating is in good working order, and that all pipes and tanks, which may be liable to freeze, are fully lagged."
Some of the practical hints and tips from Legal & General to help homeowners protect their property include:
Before the temperature gets even colder, Legal & General advise that homeowners walk around their home to check for example, if there are any draughts. Escaping heat is a common way that valuable energy is lost, and likely areas include badly fitting windows, gaps around doors, letterboxes without draught excluding brushes and gaps in floorboards.
Gaps in windows and doors will also allow rain to penetrate a building and may lead to dampness and rot. For the same reason it is important to repair any loose fitting roof tiles and slates, which also reduces the risk of them falling off in bad weather.
Homeowners should check that their current loft insulation is the recommended thickness of 270mm (10") and still in good condition. Inadequate insulation will lead to higher energy bills and may leave a home vulnerable to weather damage such as dampness. Another good tip is to keep a loft door slightly open as this will circulate warm air into the loft cavity space, which may protect any water pipes in this area from freezing.
Legal & General customers who also have in place Home Emergency Cover are able to call a tradesperson to carry out an emergency repair, such as a water leak from frozen pipes, up to the value of £150 if they do experience a problem.
More details of the household insurance cover from Legal & General is available online at legalandgeneral.com.
Top ten tips to protect your home against winter weather
Check that the heating in your property is in good working order, and if you have an open fire, whether the chimney should be swept.
Check your loft insulation is the recommended dimensions and still in good condition.
Check all pipes and tanks are fully lagged.
Repair any dripping taps and leaking radiator valves.
Repair loose roof tiles and slates to reduce the risk of them falling off and check and clear your gutters.
Check windows and window frames are firmly fixed and with no possible gaps for rain to penetrate.
If you are going away overnight, leave the heating on just in case the temperature should drop.
If you are going away for a longer length of time and want to leave your heating off, then you will need to drain your whole central heating system and switch off the water supply at the mains.
If you do leave your heating on, keep the loft door open so that warm air can circulate to your pipes.
While you are away, ask a friend or relative to visit every day to check on your home.
Remember it is a condition of a home insurance policy for the homeowner to prevent loss or damage to their property and to keep it in good repair.