Homeowners urged to check property and insurance
Published On 26 November 2007
Homeowners in the UK are being encouraged to check that both their property and their insurance are prepared for winter.According to research from Sainsbury's Bank, 56 per cent of the nation's wealth is held in property and so people should carry out annual 'MOTs' to make sure the house is secure.
The report estimated that just under 20 per cent of roofs are inadequately maintained. The Association of British Insurers has said that five million chimney stacks are in poor repair.
"External features of the home, such as chimneys and roofs, tend to be in a worse state of repair because they are 'out of sight, out of mind'," said Steve Johnson from Sainsbury's Bank. "Yet they are also the elements that are subjected to the highest wind speeds."
The report recommended that people find out where the stopcock is and check it can be turned off, replace missing roof tiles and ensure drains and gutters are clear.
A separate study from Legal & General urged property-owners to check their homes before the winter weather sets in because "household insurance is not a maintenance contract".
