Last year it handled some 26,500 claims for burst and freezing pipes averaging £1,479 per incident to fix and over 14,000 claims for windstorm damage costing around £350 per incident to repair.
‘In winter we tend to think less about our homes’ exterior and like to retreat indoors, however there are some essential checks that need to be carried out to see it through the bad weather. Prevention is the key, as much of the damage could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing for the bad weather,’ said Tim Downes, senior claims manager, Lloyds TSB Home Insurance.
It advises property owners to check the condition of the roof, looking for cracked or broken tiles, cracks in the chimney or problems with the pointing. If any repairs are needed, it suggests hiring a professional roofing contractor to carry out the work as soon as possible.
People should also clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows, keep gates and outbuilding doors fastened securely and secure any other loose items, check external light fittings are secure and cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds or storms.
Inside the house it suggests having heating boilers serviced at least once a year by a GasSafe registered professional and have the central heating and gas fires checked to ensure they are working safely and efficiently.
It also recommends checking that the loft is insulated properly but also has adequate ventilation and points out that thicker curtains will help to keep more heat in the home and keeping the central heating set to at least 10 degrees will prevent pipes from freezing.
Other advice includes keeping a home emergency kit prepared in case of a winter emergency such as a severe snowstorm. This could include torches, spare bulbs and batteries, your home insurance documents, other emergency contact details, tinned food, warm clothing, blankets and a shovel.
Lloyds TSB Home Insurance offers its customers a free 24-hour Emergency Homeline, manned by fully trained colleagues, who can offer useful information and advice on how to manage a home emergency, for example how to find a reputable plumber for emergency call outs.
