Winter will see more claims
January 26, 2007 by admin
Filed under News, News-Insurance
Homeowners are likely to make more insurance claims in the coming months as a result of the bad weather.
That is according to Lloyds TSB, which says it is expecting to see a 15 per cent increase in burst pipe claims during the first quarter of this year.
The insurance provider is highlighting the fact that something as seemingly minor as a burst pipe can prove to be both a major headache and a real financial burden.
Lloyds has revealed that the average claim for a burst pipe is around £2,500, while the most expensive the firm has ever seen was £156,000 for a particularly troublesome problem.
Homeowners are being warned to take action to help keep damage from a burst pipe to a minimum, with advice such as locating the stopcock, gas valve and ball valves, in case the worst happens.
Lloyds also advises people to leave their heating on a low heat if they are going away on holiday, as this will prevent pipes from freezing, while outdoor pipes should be well insulated during the winter months.
“So far this winter we’ve had relatively mild weather so many homeowners were caught unprepared for this cold snap,” said Lloyds TSB’s Phil Loney.
“A little bit of effort now could save you a lot of wasted time and stress caused by problems such as burst pipes or broken boilers.
“To give yourself peace of mind, make sure you have adequate home insurance that will cover you if the icy conditions do take their toll,” he added.
Residents are also advised to leave their insurance details with a trusted neighbour when travelling in case there is an incident while the house is empty.
