Holiday homes are particularly vulnerable to storm and frost damage duringwinter, as they are often left empty during this hazardous period. By followingsome simple winter holiday home maintenance tips, property owners can help reducethe risk of filing claims this winter – advises Sheffield’s the  holiday homeinsurance specialists.

Below are 7 common winter home insuranceclaims and how you can avoid them with some simple winter maintenance.

1. Storm Damage

Storms and high winds can causeconsiderable damage to your property which can go unnoticed, especially if youlock up your holiday home during the winter.

Some things to consider:

• Check roof tiles and slates are secure so you don’t get water damage in the loft/roof space.
• Don’t forget to check that any outbuildings are weather tight.
• Are the satellite dish and TV aerial fixed securely?
• Gardens – Don’t desert your garden during the winter months. Keep trees well pruned, remove dead/damaged branches and ensure they are clear of buildings and cables. Garden furniture should also be stored away.
• Gates and window shutters should be well fastened to avoid damage.
  

2. Burst Pipes and Water Damage

When temperatures drop, pipes can freezeand burst. The damage from burst pipes can be horrendous, especially if theburst happens when your house is unoccupied and the burst goes unnoticed forweeks.

• One of the main causes of frozen pipes is switching the central heating off completely when a house is empty. Leaving the heating on a low temperature can minimise potential danger.
• Ensure pipes are well lagged, wrap exposed outside pipes with insulating sleeves and make sure that water tanks get insulation too. Open the loft trap door to allow warm air from the house to circulate around the loft and pipes.
• Simply turning off the water is not sufficient for a property that is to be left unoccupied for a long period - there is still a lot of water in the system, which can cause damage. Get a plumber to drain down the water and central heating system to remove the risk completely.
• Washing machines, taps, showers, baths, dishwashers etc. should be checked from time to time for leaks. Even a few drops of water can cause rotting and dampness.
• Know where gas and electricity supplies can be turned

  off and where your stopcock is, as speedily shutting off the water in an emergency could prevent a great deal of damage.
  

If all else fails make sure your holidayhome is fully insured for such losses.

3. Blocked Gutters and Drains

Clear gutters and drains regularly ofleaves and dirt, as blocked gutters can cause overflow, resulting in floodingon the roof and damp problems. A flooded balcony/veranda may not affect yourapartment but the apartment below yours could suffer water damage as a resultof your negligence.

4. Slip/Trip Accidents and PersonalLiability Claims

If you are letting your holiday homethroughout the winter, there is a danger that a guest could slip or fall onicy/slippery paths and decide to sue. Your public liability insurance (if youhave it) will protect you against such actions. However, keep paths well lit,clear of slippery leaves and make sure that you have a good supply of grit orsalt.

5. Thefts - Beating Opportunists Burglars

Most burglaries are carried out byopportunists when a holiday home is empty, or when your defences are down afterjust after arriving. Well secured entry points will discourage all but the mostdetermined burglars. Some simple security measures include:

• Fit locks or bolts to all external doors and locks to all downstairs or easily accessible windows. Consider installing iron grilles (set into the wall) on windows, or roll-down, reinforced metal shutters.
• Never leave keys in locks or in obvious places, such as under a doormat or plant pot. Instead consider fitting a key safe if you have to leave keys for guests.
• When you take possession of a new-build property have all the locks changed in case copies of the keys have fallen into the wrong hands.
• Don’t forget to lock outbuildings with proper security locks, after putting all your garden furniture, tools and ladders away, so they cannot be used to break into your house.
• Ask trusted neighbour to check on the property from time to time and reward them for their troubles.
  

Some insurers exclude theft and maliciousdamage after so many days unoccupancy, or if security warranties aren'tfollowed so double-check your policy terms.

6. Electricity Surges and Power Failures

Rural holiday homes are more likely tosuffer from power failure due to storms, which could leave you with a freezinghouse if your electric storage heaters fail. More commonly, Spanish propertiessuffer from electrical storms and power surges, which could fry your electricalgadgets such as TV’s, telephones, modems etc.

When you leave your holiday home unoccupiedunplug electrical devices to avoid damage from power surges or electricalstorms, or purchase surge protectors.

7. Fire Risks and Chimneys

An electrical fire caused by wiring faultscould reduce your dream home to ashes. Have a qualified electrician to checkyour wiring is safe.

Make sure your chimney top is sufficientlycovered to avoid rainwater coming into the house through the chimney. Don’tforget to have your chimney swept yearly to avoid chimney fires.

Fit smoke alarms on each floor, making surethey can be heard throughout the property.

Unlike most other holiday home insurers,Schofields' policies do not have security, heating or unoccupancy warranties.However, holiday home owners should check their insurance policies and anyobligations regarding these three critical areas. Exclusions and restrictionsin the small print can render a holiday home insurance policy worthless, justwhen homes are most at risk during the winter months.

With some sensible planning you can avoidnasty surprises this winter.

Schofields have specialised in holiday house insurance in the UK, Spain,France, Portugal, Italyand Irelandfor more than 24 years. The company's policy offers full protection when yourhome is left unoccupied or holiday let. Visit www.schofields.ltd.uk for a quoteor call 01204 365080 for more information

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