January 2010 - Is your home ready for the cold snap?

Is your home ready for another cold snap?

With the severe cold spell seemingly over, you could be excused for thinking that spring is in the air and that the problems associated with cold weather are over for another year. But if we do face another cold spell, will you be better prepared and take the necessary steps to avoid a costly claim on your home or business insurance?

One insurer, Fortis, has issued advice for homeowners using the acronym ‘THAW' to draw attention to parts of the home that may be most affected by cold weather, namely taps, heating, attics and water. With domestic water damage claims averaging £2,000, it's worth considering the simple steps recommended, including keeping heating on constantly at a low level while you're away from your home to avoid burst pipes.

The advice is backed up by Virgin Money who found that ‘escape of water' accounted for 15% of domestic claims during the last year, with claims at a far higher level than that of theft. Aviva saw a 500% increase in water damage claims during the cold period encountered in February 2009 and advises homeowners to take steps to avoid problems.

Steps to avoid problems include keeping heating on constant, insulating water piping and tanks, opening your loft door to allow warm air to circulate in the attic and asking a neighbour to check your home if you're away. It's worth taking the time to discover where your stop tap is and making sure that you can turn it off and on, which could be crucial for limiting damage caused by a leak elsewhere.

If you're unlucky enough to experience a frozen pipe in the home, or at work, the Association of Plumbing and Heating Contractors recommends calling out a professional to resolve the issue rather than attempting to thaw out the pipe yourself, which could lead to further problems.

It's worth knowing the number for your insurance company in the event of needing to make a claim. The Association of British Insurers points out that most insurance help lines will have numbers for plumbing or gas professionals, or can assist if you need further advice.