Beat the burst pipe threat this cold snap

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With the cold spell expected to bring snow across Britain this week1, esure home insurance is urging homeowners to take a simple precaution to prevent burst pipes if they go away during a cold period: leave the heating ticking over but turn the stop-cock off.

Calculations from esure show that its burst pipe insurance claims2 caused an average of £60,000 damage each time. In most cases, homeowners returned to find that burst pipes and the resulting escape of water had brought down ceilings - causing extensive damage and losses throughout the property.

Homeowners who leave their heating to come on once or twice a day may believe that this will prevent problems but if their lofts are poorly insulated and a severe cold spell occurs overnight, copper pipes can still burst. And if the water to the house is still flowing, it can cause devastation. Most central heating systems are ‘closed’ so turning the stop-cock off won’t affect them but it will prevent massive water damage if pipes burst.

Gordon Hannah, Director of Claims at esure said: "Last winter nearly every large burst pipe claim was a tragic blueprint. Families had gone away, freezing weather had caused their pipes to burst and they returned a day or two later to the widespread destruction of their homes and personal belongings. The cost of these claims is huge but the emotional impact and inconvenience to homeowners is worse.

Many people think that they can’t turn the stop-cock off and leave the heating on but usually this is fine to do and it will completely prevent the source of water that can wreck a house. Homeowners should just check their heating manual to find out more about their particular system."

Case studies are available upon request.

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esure's press contacts:

Niki Bolton, Corporate Communications Manager: 01737 235070
Asia Yasir, Public Relations Officer: 01737 641305
Emma Lloyd, Assistant Communications Officer: 01737 641309
Adrian Webb, Head of Corporate Communications: 01737 641000
Email: pr@esure.com

Notes to Editors:

  1. express.co.uk: Artic weather sweeps in
  2. A review of esure home insurance burst pipe claims between 1 December 2008 and 15 February 2009

About esure:

esure was launched in 2001. The company offers car, home, pet and travel insurance over the internet and by phone. esure also offers car insurance cover through the brands Halifax, Sainsbury's, Sheilas' Wheels and more recently home insurance through the Sheilas' Wheels brand.