Winter Damage

Summer is almost over and it actually wasn't too bad. If you can cast your mind back to late June we actually had a heat wave with temperatures soaring into the 30s. However, if you can remember even further back in time to February, you may recall how temperatures plummeted and a good dusting of snow caused chaos and plenty of damage. All this means that our weather is becoming increasingly extreme and ever more unpredictable, according to scientists this is as a direct result of climate change.

So what does this mean for homeowners? With winter drawing in, our homes are going to be at even greater risk of weather damage. The UK suffers quite badly from strong winds that can wreak havoc on your roof. You could also suffer from structural damage if a tree within your property's border was to fall and crash your house. Many parts of Britain also suffer from severe flooding and this can occur at any time particularly if a river bursts its banks or a storm creates a storm surge.

To avoid as much damage as possible be prudent. Check your home now for problems with the roof, any large, poorly supported trees within your boundary, flood risk and subsidence. If you pick up any issues, solve them before the nights get shorter and colder.

However, in the event of disaster striking, you may need to make a claim on your home insurance. Surprisingly, nearly two million homeowners choose to forgo home insurance, which is shocking in today's unpredictable climate. The family purse strings may be tighter than ever, but failing to get adequate insurance could mean the difference between keeping and losing your home.

Insurance doesn't have to cost the earth and there are many ways you can lower the premium costs. Make sure you shop around to find the best rate. Check at least three companies and don't just compare on price, look at no-claims benefits, weather damage and the level of excess you can choose from.

Make sure you insure your home and its contents for the correct amount, i.e. the rebuilding cost of your property and the replacement cost of your contents. Too many people in the UK are over insured.

Finally, think about buying combined buildings and contents insurance. Kwik Fit Insurance for example, offer 15% off combined home insurance on their site, so not only is this less hassle, but you can save money too.