Home insurance warning in run-up to cold months

Britons are being warned to ensure their home insurance covers them adequately for what experts predict to be the coldest winter in a decade.

Some 40 per cent of home insurance claims are related to harsh weather conditions, but HSBC warns that the weather can cause even more damage.

Weather damage resulted in a third more home insurance claims being made than home insurance claims resulting from burglaries, vandalism, fire and smoke, research revealed.

This resulted in some householders having to dig deep into their pockets, as 12 per cent of them who suffered damages had no home insurance.

We should not be complacent when it comes to having adequate protection for our home and its possessions, warns Stephen Young, HSBC's head of general insurance.

To encourage householders to take out home insurance, the home insurance provider offers a discount of 12.5 per cent on new applications received before December 30th.

HSBC home insurance service includes a 24-hour helpline to provide help, general advice and legal advice in cases of emergency.

HSBC's home insurance policy has been designed to offer a wide range of cover for both home and contents to help householders cope with weather related emergencies during the long winter months and beyond, Mr Young says.