Home insurance provider gives winter home tips

Freezing weather lies ahead this winter, with the Met office predicting the lowest temperatures in a decade.

And because Halifax Home Insurance has seen insurance claims for weather-related damages rise by 40 per cent over the last four years, it has issued a checklist for homeowners to ensure their homes are prepared for the chills.

The Home MOT checklist, available from the home insurance provider's website, could save homeowners thousands of pounds, Halifax Home Insurance claims.

The checklist requires homeowners to inspect and test their house's roof, garden, outbuildings, guttering, trees, heating, heating appliances, loft, chimney, curtains, emergency kit, insurance and communication.

With home emergencies, prevention is certainly better than cure and many claims could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing their homes for the winter, said the home insurance provider's senior underwriting manager, Vicky Emmott.

In 2004, the home insurance provider handled some 20,000 insurance claims related to damage caused by harsh weather. This year it has received more than 23,000 storm claims and paid out over £20 million – already £3 million more than last year.