Don’t get caught out in the cold – insurance advice from the ABI

With many parts of the UK getting the first taste of winter recently, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) is sharing advice for people to avoid getting caught out in the cold.

Louise Clark, ABI Policy Adviser for General Insurance, said:

"The cold weather can be very hazardous for people, cars and homes. Safety is always the first priority, and you should follow weather warnings and advice, and only drive if necessary. Take precautions to protect your home as well. While insurance can protect from the damage caused by burst pipes, it can't compensate for the stress and misery they can cause. Following our simple steps can help prevent pipes from freezing, whilst keeping your heating bills as manageable as possible."

Driving

Take precautions to keep yourself and your vehicle safe.

• Don't leave your vehicle unattended while it's defrosting. During winter weather there are often reports of thieves stealing cars left unattended in these circumstances.
• Make sure your windscreen is properly defrosted before you start your journey, but never pour hot water on it to melt the ice as this could crack the glass.
• Clear off any snow from your vehicle before you start your journey, as this could pose a hazard to road users around you.
• Keep your vehicle well maintained - make sure your front and back windscreen wipers are working properly, and if needed switch to winter tyres.
• If you're driving an electric vehicle, keep the battery charged and avoid sudden acceleration or breaking where possible to conserve battery power.
• Always be prepared - ensure your mobile phone is fully charged and carry a charger and portable battery. Have warm clothes, blankets, water and non-perishable food in your vehicle.
• Keep up to date with weather reports and follow police advice on whether or not it is safe to drive.

Your insurance will still be valid if you're driving during a red weather alert, but we advise you pay close attention to local authority and policy warnings.

Read more in our winter driving advice.

Frozen Pipes

Damage and disruption from frozen and burst pipes can be significant. Last year, home insurers settled roughly 12,000 weather-related claims for burst pipes, with the average claim exceeding £17,000.

A few simple steps can help to prevent pipes from freezing and the ABI is urging people to act now.

To reduce the risk of frozen pipes this winter:

• Taking some simple steps like insulating water pipes and water tanks in the loft, using draught excluders around doors can help keep your home warm and reduce energy bills. More information here.
• If you have a smart thermostat, most will have an anti-frost setting to keep your home heated to a very minimal temperature that will stop pipes from freezing. If you do not have a smart meter, most radiators will have a setting with a snowflake symbol - turn to this setting to allow minimal water flow between pipes and radiators to prevent freezing.
• Know where your stopcock, that turns off the incoming water supply, is and test that it works. It is usually found under the kitchen sink. If you cannot locate it ask a neighbour or seek advice from an approved plumber.
• If you are going on holiday, or leaving your home unoccupied, consider turning off the water at the stopcock or leaving your heating on a timer to reduce the risk of pipes freezing and bursting while you're away. See more information below on leaving your home unoccupied.
• Repair any dripping taps. This will help prevent water from freezing.

If your pipes freeze:

• Immediately turn the water mains off via the stopcock. Wait for the pipes to warm up, or you can try and thaw them with a hot water bottle.

• Do not attempt to dislodge the ice using a hammer or melt it with a blow touch, it is highly likely that this will cause more damage.

• Move any possessions, such as furniture or clothing, which are near frozen pipes in case the pipe bursts.

If your pipe bursts:

• Turn off the water at the stopcock. Switch off central heating and any other water heating installations. Open all taps to drain the system.

• Move any possessions, such as furniture or clothing, to prevent further damage to property.
• In both instances, contact your insurer straight away to seek advice, many insurers operate 24-hour helplines. They will advise on next steps and help to arrange professional repairs to be carried out.

If you plan to leave your home unoccupied check your home insurance policy to see if there are any restrictions in cover or specific requirements if your home is left unoccupied for more than a specified period of time, such as 30 days or more.

Open fires and candles may seem like a good way to keep your heating bills down, but they will significantly increase the risk of home and possessions being damaged or destroyed by fire. If using an open fireplace, ensure that the chimney and flues are inspected by a specialist and cleaned if they have not been used for some time. Make sure you use a fireguard. Your local fire brigade should be able to give you some advice about heating your home safely.

Travel

Cold weather may disrupt your travel plans. If you are due to fly, check the advice from your air carrier or the airport. If your flight is cancelled, speak to your tour operator or air carrier. Where your flight is delayed, or transport disruption due to the bad weather means that you miss your flight, then you may be able to claim under your travel insurance. Check your policy for details, including limits on what you may be able to claim for.

Be aware that a sudden thaw of snow can cause flooding. Sign up for flood alerts via the Environment Agency website.

For more information, please contact ABI Press Office.

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