New homes should be ready for winter's wild weather
11th Oct 2012
Winter is drawing in and with that we can expect to receive another burst of seasonal snow, ice, high winds and rain.
Because of these Arctic conditions the number of weather-related house insurance claims tends to go up, even on new homes.
AXA has revealed that as many as 60 per cent of property owners make wrong assumptions about the cover provided against stormy weather, and has urged home maintenance to be carried out in order to prepare for the winter.
Each year AXA turns away one in 20 storm damage claims as it later transpires that harm was not caused by the weather but by a lack of upkeep on the home.
It added that 59 per cent would expect their insurer to pay out for any weather-related damage, while almost a quarter said that a policy will cover them for any structural damage caused by general wear and tear.
James Barclay, home insurance underwriting manager at AXA, said: "While it may seem expensive to get your roof repaired or a crack in the wall fixed, the potential cost of an unpaid insurance claim is a lot higher."
It is not just general maintenance that needs to be carried out ahead of winter. Property owners should make sure that ladders are securely stored away, while other items which could blow over into windows also need tying down.
Posted by Staff Writer: Frances McDonald
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