Winter repair costs warning issued

18/10/11

By Leo Stevens

The importance of having suitable home insurance cover in place before the cold weather sets in has been highlighted by a report which reveals that householders could be forced to pay more for repairs to burst pipes and other emergencies this winter if previous ones are anything to go by.

HomeServe discovered that there could be a 20 per cent rise in call-outs in the next few months or so, especially if the weather is particularly cold as forecasters have predicted.

The firm suggested that one in 10 call-outs will be to fix heating and hot water problems, as well as blocked drains and power losses.

The company added that the usual increase in emergencies experienced at this time of the year has been delayed due to the prolonged spell of mild weather in September and October.

Steve Herbert, operations director at HomeServe, said: "Britons are obsessed with the weather, yet despite the fact that the last three winters have been bitter, many people still fail to prepare adequately."