A message for our Home Insurance customers

Protect your home from water damage in the cold weather.

Freezing temperatures mean Britons are at significant risk of water damage to their home during the festive period, as the big freeze has caught many homeowners unprepared. 

During the last cold snap in January 2008, we registered around 2,800 claims for frozen pipes, with an average claim value of £15,400. With the cold weather set to continue over the holiday period, the scale of damage could be compounded as many homeowners are away from their property for days or weeks at this time.

However, there are some simple things that you can do to minimise the risk of burst pipes and avoid the inconvenience that they could cause:

• If you are going away on holiday, the heating should be left on at a continuous low heat setting and with the loft entrance hatch left ajar. This will allow warm air to circulate around the roof space.
• If you are away from home for more than 30 days, you should inform your insurer and drain the water system.
• Locate your stopcock, gas valve and ball valves - so you know where they are if a problem occurs.
• Store a torch with spare batteries in a safe, but accessible place, with a list of telephone numbers such as a plumber, heating engineer, glazier, electrician and roofing contractor.
• Keep drain gratings, gutters and down pipes free of leaves and debris.
• Insulate outside pipes, taps and tanks in your loft.
• Have chimneys swept and heating appliances serviced.

David Stoddard, Customer Services Director at Lloyds TSB Insurance, said: “So far this winter we’ve had relatively mild weather so many homeowners were caught unprepared for this cold snap. If you are away over the Christmas period, keep your heating on low so that you can avoid the stress and inconvenience of burst pipes.

If you do have to make a claim, we have specialist teams in place, who are experts in getting people back on track.”

For more information on how we can help, call us on 0845 606 6004. We’re here Monday to Friday 8am-6pm and Saturdays 9am-1pm.