Tips to help stop a burst pipe claim on your house insurance
23rd December 2010

These freezing temperatures are causing a lot of damage, not only to the roads and to vehicles, but also to their homes. Right now, burst pipes and tanks are leading to a rise in house insurance claims and are costing quite a few home-owners their no claims discount.

Losing your no claims discount on something that is often easily avoidable and does not cost a huge amount to fix is incredibly annoying. That's why we have put together a quick guide to help you avoid this situation:

1. If your house is going to be left unoccupied, while you are away somewhere warm or with family and friends this winter, keep the central heating on. This may sound like a waste of money, but by having it set at around 15C, the cost is not high and things are kept in good working order.
2. To avoid freezing pipes, turn the water supply off at the stopcock or the main stop tap. The main stop tap should be under the kitchen sink. The stop cock will be in the attic/loft, if you have a cold water tank.
3. Invest in some insulation. If the sides of your water tanks and the pipes themselves are not covered in lagging (the foam material that you can find in DIY stores) then it is worth taking the time to put this in place and help keep frost at bay.
4. If you suspect a pipe is frozen then using a hairdryer can thaw it out quickly, though be careful not to get any of the water near the electrics. You could also pour some warm water from a bottle onto the affected area.

Unfortunately, some houses will still suffer from pipe bursts. If this happens to you then turn off the heating and water. If the electricity is affected then turn this off too. You should also move furniture and personal items away from any frozen pipes, in case they burst. If a burst has already happened then move items into a dry room to avoid further damage.

Does your home insurance cover give you protection against burst pipes? If you aren't sure then contact the team at Property Cover Plus. We tailor our house insurance quotes to your situation, and offer comprehensive home insurance at a competitive price.