| There's been a lot of talk about flooding and | | | | off your central heating for long periods of time |
| insurance over the past year or so with all the | | | | during winter. That goes along with protecting |
| rain, storms and flood damage. But Mother Nature | | | | your pipes from frost. If you go on holiday, set a |
| has very little to do with the most common type | | | | timer to turn your heater on during the coldest |
| of flood damage to your home. According to | | | | periods of the day or risk coming home to a |
| Halifax Insurance, about 17 million Brits have had | | | | swamp in your living room. - When it comes to |
| to deal with damage from water leaks casued by | | | | plumbing, always have the work done by a |
| plumbing in their home, at a whopping cost of | | | | reputable professional. Unless you're a qualified |
| £1.8 billion a year for the past five years. | | | | plumber, don't DIY it. - Get approval for any |
| That's an incredible amount of money we're | | | | repairs to water damage from your insurance |
| paying for damage that is largely preventable. | | | | company before you have it repaired to be |
| Halifax includes in their estimation water damage | | | | assured of full reimbursement. - Maintain your |
| caused to homes and belongings by burst pipes, | | | | water fittings. Your home insurance will pay for |
| leaking baths, showers, washing machines, | | | | damage from water leaks or burst pipes, but it |
| dishwasher malfunctions and burst water tanks. | | | | won't pay to repair the pipe itself, especially if it |
| They also include damage caused by carelessness, | | | | wasn't maintained in the first place. - Look into |
| like leaving the water on to overflow when filling | | | | home emergency cover to deal with emergency |
| baths or sinks for the washing up. There are | | | | repairs. - Be sure that you cover your contents |
| ways to prevent some of the most common | | | | as well as your building. Water will play havoc with |
| causes of water damage. Here are some of the | | | | that gorgeous Oriental carpet - so insure it |
| tips offered by Halifax with a few more included | | | | separately against damage. Your buildings |
| for good measure. - Protect your pipes from | | | | insurance won't cover it. If you're not certain |
| frost, the number one cause of burst pipes. Make | | | | whether or you're covered for water damage or |
| sure that they're well-insulated. - Check your | | | | if specific valuables are listed on your policy, check |
| water pipes and appliances regularly for weak | | | | the fine print on your home insurance or contact |
| spots. - Once a month, turn off any appliance that | | | | your insurer. In many cases, you can add the |
| might use water and check your water meter. | | | | cover relatively inexpensively. |
| Wait an hour -without using any water - and | | | | Find out which home insurance companies offer |
| check again. If it reads differently, then you | | | | the best cover against flood damage to your |
| probably have a leak in your pipes. Get a plumber | | | | building and contents by comparing insurers at |
| in to find the leak and repair it before it causes | | | | You can also read home insurance reviews |
| damage. - Try not to over-tighten water taps. It | | | | submitted by real customers. |
| weakens washers and causes leaks. - Don't turn | | | | |