Home insurance customers warned about cold weather

As the UK prepares for another onslaught of cold weather, home insurance policyholders have been urged to take action now to prevent them needing to make an insurance claim.

Next week, it is expected that much of the UK will experience snow and so Halifax Home Insurance has offered some tips on how to minimise the possible damage.

Among advice given, the home insurance provider has recommended that homeowners insulate the top and sides of water tanks to reduce the likelihood that internal pipes will burst in a property.

Also, it has suggested that people use horticultural fleece to protect fledgling plants that are just emerging for the spring.

Water from a burst pipe in a loft space can very quickly cause damage to plaster ceilings, walls, kitchen units, electrical wiring and decoration, while frost damage to plants can also add up, explained Vicky Emmott, the home insurance company's senior manager of underwriting.

Earlier this month, the home insurance company published figures that indicated 3.3 million properties across the UK experience water damage each year, perhaps as a result of leaking washing machines or faulty showers.