LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM — (Marketwire) — 10/14/11 — Unpredictable British winters can be extremely harsh on our homes, which are vulnerable to storm and frost damage during the colder months. Whilst home insurance should protect you against unforeseen events, it comes with excess payments and will not cover you against the long-term wear and tear that your home could suffer as a result of poor maintenance.
Let–s take a look at some of the areas in which you can reduce the likelihood of an insurance claim or minimise the amount of damage if an incident does occur.
Storm damage
Storms and high winds can cause considerable damage to your home, much of which can unnoticed for several months. Check that your chimneys, roof tiles and slates are secure to help prevent water damage during bad weather. Satellite dishes and TV aerials are also easily damaged so check that they are fixed in place.
It–s easy to forget about our garden during the winter months, yet poorly maintained trees could damage your home or even hurt a member of your family. Take care to prune all trees and remove dead or damaged branches regularly.
Prepare an emergency homecare kit in case of severe storms or flooding, including food, drink, a first-aid kit, a list of emergency telephone numbers, a wind up torch, candles, matches and a penknife.
Gas Leaks
An old or incorrectly fitted boiler is highly dangerous, as it could start leaking carbon monoxide gas into your home. Known as the silent killer for its complete lack of colour, taste or smell, carbon monoxide poisoning killed more than 50 people in the UK last year, with a further 4,000 hospitalised. Carbon monoxide leakage can also cause explosions or fires and your home insurance may be invalid if you–ve failed to properly maintain your boiler and central heating system.
Annual should include an annual service by a qualified engineer, who can also test your home for carbon monoxide levels. If your heating system is over 10 years old it may be time to look into upgrading, which can save you cash as well as bring you peace of mind. The latest boiler technology offers a 90% increase in efficiency, meaning that upgrading to an A rated boiler should see your household heating bill drop by about a quarter, a saving on average of GBP 225 a year.
Burst Pipes
The most common single cause of home insurance claims is –escape of water–, which can cause thousands of pounds of damage in collapsed ceilings, saturated furniture and destroyed electrical appliances.
Protect your pipes from cracking in freezing conditions by keeping them well lagged; wrap exposed outside pipes with insulating sleeves and make sure that water tanks get insulation too. Appliances such as washing machines, dishwashers, taps, showers, and bath should be checked routinely for leaks, which could indicate a larger problem. In case of a major flooding emergency, make sure you know where your stopcock is to help you switch off your water supply as quickly as possible.
Contacts:
British Gas
Press Office
0800 107 7015