Brits should brace themselves for arctic conditions, as temperatures continue to plummet this weekend

• The Met Office has forecast continued freezing temperatures over the weekend, bringing arctic winds, frost and icy conditions to the majority of the UK
• Direct Line will be working to help customers hit by the freezing conditions with experts and extreme weather vehicles at the ready
• Home insurance experts available for interview across the UK

The Met Office¹ has issued multiple amber weather warnings for ice across the majority of the UK this weekend. In preparation Direct Line Home Insurance provides advice for householders on how to protect their homes.

The cold weather Britain faced at the beginning of 2018 shows just how unprepared the nation is for freezing temperatures, with householders hit by frozen pipes across the length and breadth of the country, often leaving them without heating and suffering from burst pipes. The cold spell saw the cost of damage from burst pipes rise from £4m in 2017 to £197m in 2018², with the cost of weather related insurance claims for burst pipes averaging over £7,500³, suggesting people could be taking further precautions to protect their homes when freezing weather is on the way. 

The inconvenience caused by a burst pipe can be substantial, as a small leak can end up releasing as much as 30 gallons of water in as little as two minutes, damaging flooring, plaster and contents around the home. 

Brenda Munro, Head of field operations for Direct Line said: “With freezing temperatures set to hit the UK later this week and over the weekend, there are a few simple precautions householders can take in order to protect both themselves and their homes from the winter weather.

• Leave – the heating on at approximately 15 degrees to avoid pipes freezing
• Lift – your loft hatch so the warm air can circulate to pipes in all areas of your home
• Lag – make sure any external pipes to boilers have been lagged, this can be done easily and cheaply with supplies from your local DIY store
• Locate – find out now where your stopcock is and know how to turn off the water supply in event of an emergency. If you’ve not turned it in the last six months, try to do so now in case it needs fixing
• Look out – for your neighbours, friends, relatives, and anyone less able to protect themselves from the freezing temperatures

Brenda continues: “We take every weather warning extremely seriously, and have emergency action plans into place, as well as teams on the ground and on the phones ready to assist customers if they need to make a claim. Our priority is reassuring householders and getting them back in their home as quickly as possible.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

1. https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/warnings-and-advice/uk-warnings#?date=2021-01-14&id=ee775b65-d705-4d36-b896-f5b610100fb3
2. https://www.abi.org.uk/news/news-articles/2017/11/worry-less-this-winter--protect-your-home-from-the-misery-of-frozen-and-burst-pipes/
3. https://www.themoneypages.com/insurance/five-ways-make-home-winter-ready-keep-insurance-costs

Direct Line

Started in 1985, Direct Line became the first UK insurance company to use the telephone as its main channel of communication. It provides motor, home, travel and pet insurance cover direct to customers by phone or on-line.

Direct Line general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.

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