Winter (otherwise known as the season of home insurance claims) has arrived. Don’t be fooled by the mild weather we’re experiencing, and make sure you’re prepared for the months ahead, particularly if you’re planning to go away over the festive season.
Here are some of the best ways of keeping your home safe this winter:
Have your heating and alarms checked
It’s always worth getting a registered engineer to service your boiler before the cold weather arrives. If it’s going to pack in, it’s most likely to do so on the coldest day of the year when engineers are in short supply.
You should also check your smoke alarm and carbon monoxide detector, as increased use of your boiler and electrics could pose an extra threat to you and your property.
Keep your heating on!
Probably the biggest risk to your property this winter is the effect of frozen pipes. In cold weather, the pipes can freeze and then burst, so when the ice thaws and the water starts flowing, you can experience catastrophic flooding. The advice is to always have your heating on, and set to at least 15 degrees – even if you’re out or away on holiday.
Batten down the hatches
Don’t leave loose items in your garden. In high winds, they become missiles!
Check your roof
Before winter sets in, you should always check your roof for loose slates or damaged flashing.
Clear your drains
Autumn leaves can wreak havoc with drain pipes and gutters. Now is the time to make sure they are completely clear.
Check your insurance policies
Make sure both your buildings and contents insurance policies are up-to-date.
Michael Ward, Managing Director of PayingTooMuch.com said “Winter weather is one of the main causes of property damage, so we always advise our customers to take steps to minimise the chances of having to make a claim. It’s not just the hassle of having to deal with the repercussions of damage, in many cases people lose sentimental valuables that cannot be replaced with an insurance payout.”
