Get Prepared for 'the Coldest Winter in 100 Years'

07 Jan 2010 Tell a Friend

According to the Met Office, we should expect it to be 'bitterly cold' over the weekend. Richard Young, Chief Forecaster at the Met Office says: "Temperatures will struggle to rise above freezing across most of the country by day, with severe and penetrating frosts at night.  Sound like fun?  Now imagine if your pipes burst or you lost electricity over the weekend.  If you have not already prepared your home for the cold, now is the time to do so.

Firstly, you should consider home emergency cover, to ensure that if you do have problems caused by the freezing temperatures, they can be sorted out quickly and at minimal expense.  Figures from Halifax General Insurance show that one in six of all home insurance claims to Halifax between Dec 19th and Jan 4th December were due to burst pipes.  This is an increase from the one in ten calls during the first two weeks of December.  

Pipes burst due to water expanding when it freezes, causing pipes to crack open.  Then, when the weather warms slightly, the pipes leak water.  Halifax Senior Claims Manager Martyn Foulds says: "The average cost to repair damage caused by a burst pipe is around £2000, so it is worth ensuring the home is properly insured, taking steps to prevent frozen pipes, making sure you have adequate insurance in place and also knowing what to do to limit damage if a pipe does burst."

So how should you prepare for the cold this winter?  Firstly, you should consider taking out a home insurance policy which includes home emergency cover.  Click here to speak to an independent adviser and get a home insurance quote today.

Secondly, you should make sure that your loft, waterpipes and the sides of your water tank are insulated.  Locate the stop tap in your house for the water mains, so that if the pipes to burst, you can easily turn off the water supply and limit the damage to your home and belongings.  

You should also keep a kit handy in your home to be used in emergencies, such as being snowed in.   This should include a torch, spare batteries and bulbs, warm clothes and blankets, wellington boots, tins of food and a shovel.   You should also keep your home insurance details close to hand, including the number that you need to ring for a home callout.  When you have emergency home cover, the insurer should have a 24-hour emergency helpline.

Get a free home insurance quote by filling out our short form and speaking to an adviser.