Home insurance warning over burst pipes

People without sufficient home insurance could face a hefty bill if they suffer a burst pipe, one firm has warned.

Lloyds TSB Insurance has seen a 15 per cent increase in the number of claims relating to burst pipes and expects this figure to rise as the cold spell continues.

According to the home insurance firm, the average cost of repairing damage caused by such an incident is £1,400.

Phil Loney, managing director of the company, said: To give yourself peace of mind, make sure you have adequate insurance which will cover you if the icy conditions take their toll on your home .

Home insurance customers should also do all they can to prevent a pipe bursting in the first place, he added.

This includes insulating pipes and regularly servicing heating appliances, Mr Loney stated.

Writing in the Guardian yesterday, Tahmima Anam explained how she had been left out of pocket after being burgled while she had no home insurance.