Abbey Advises On Winter Precautions 26/11/2004

Following the first cold snap of the winter, Abbey has offered home owners advice to prevent costly insurance claims that could see premiums rise in the long term. The warning comes as meteorologists anticipate one of the coldest winters in memory.

Over the winter months around a third of home insurance claims relate to the effects of bad or cold weather, making it vital that homeowners take a number of simple precautions such as knowing where the water mains valve and header tank are and how to turn them on and off.

Householders should also ensure that any pipes or tanks in lofts or any other unheated areas are properly insulated, and also keep the central heating on at a low temperature overnight during cold spells.

Abbey explained that while insurance companies will usually pay out for the cost of damage caused by wintry weather, premiums could go up as a result of claiming.