Last year, with some of the coldest temperatures in years, there was an increase in claims for water soaked homes, mainly as a result of burst pipes or tanks in the loft . Insurers said it was in fact the worst year ever for burst pipe claims.
Just a single burst pipe in the loft can mean water gushes through a property ruining furnishings and belongings along the way and in some cases, can bring the ceilings down. For the homeowner this can mean months of disruption while their house is dried out and repaired.
Rob Townend, director of household claims at Aviva, said: “Despite last years icy conditions many homeowners still forget that freezing and burst pipes can be a real problem, in some cases ruining entire floors of your home.” Damage caused by freezing water and leaking or “escaping” water from tanks, pipes, or heating systems is covered as standard under most contents and buildings insurance policies.
