Everest industry news
Homeowners should check their properties as winter weather sets in
03 December 2008
A leading home insurance provider is today (December 3rd) urging Britons to conduct a 'health check' on their properties in order to fully protect them from the harsh weather predicted this winter.Halifax Home Insurance has revealed that it had to deal with almost 30,000 claims for windstorm damage in 2007, at a total cost of £17 million, or £600 per incident.
In addition, it received over 20,000 claims for burst and freezing pipes last year, totalling £43 million at an average of £2,000 per case.
With that it mind, homeowners are being advised to check their roofs for cracks or broken tiles, ensuring that windows are sturdy and secure, and that any gates or outbuilding doors are suitably reinforced.
David Rochester from the company said: "Winter is the time when we retreat to the warmth and safety of our homes, but before doing so there are some essential checks that need to be carried out."
Mr Rochester added that prevention is certainly better than cure in relation to such damage, so taking a small amount of time to conduct checks is a prudent approach.
According to Halifax, the five regions most affected by storm damage in 2007 were Merseyside, Barnsley, Bolton and Wigan, Manchester and Glasgow.
