As the nights draw in and temperatures drop, the ABI is reminding people to take simple precautions to stay safe and avoid costly claims this winter.
While the festive season brings joy and celebration, it also brings risks – from opportunistic thieves to burst pipes, icy roads, and slippery slopes.
With a few straightforward steps, you can keep your home secure, your car prepared for winter conditions, and your holiday plans running smoothly.
The holidays can be costly enough without unexpected bills. But taking a few simple precautions and making sure you have the right cover in place can make all the difference and give you peace of mind.
Insurers are ready to help if the worst happens, but prevention is always best to spare you the stress of costly surprises. Don’t forget to take a moment to read your insurance policy’s terms and conditions so you know exactly what you’re covered for to make sure you remember the holidays for all the right reasons.
Louise Clark
Don’t let the Grinch steal your holiday cheer
You may be taking time off over the holidays, but the thieves certainly won’t be. Brits are expected to spend an average of £300 each on Christmas gifts this year so taking precautions is paramount to protect your pocket.
Take these simple precautions to make sure your presents under the tree stay there:
- As the presents pile high, so does the value of your home’s contents so make sure you have adequate contents insurance to replace stolen gifts should the worst happen.
- Check whether you need to declare individual high-value items to your insurer.
- Keep the gifts that are under the tree out of view from passersby or store them elsewhere until the big day.
- Think twice before posting expensive gifts on social media – it could attract unwanted attention from thieves.
Protect your ho-ho-home from frozen pipe misery
Winter can be tough on homes, with plunging temperatures putting pipes under pressure. Last year alone, our members settled around 8,000 weather‑related burst pipe claims, with the average payout close to £33,000 – a costly disruption at any time but especially unwelcome during the holidays. Remember that your home insurance is not a maintenance contract, and you need to make sure your home is well maintained as a condition of your insurance.
That’s why prevention is key. A few simple steps can help you avoid damage and keep the season focused on joy, not repairs.
- Use anti-frost settings on smart thermostats and radiators if you’ll be away for some time
- Consider setting your heating on a timer or turning off the water to reduce the risk of pipes freezing and bursting
- Insulate your pipes and garden taps
- Locate your stop-cock so you can act quickly should there be a leak.
Driving home for Christmas? Don’t let Jack Frost stand in your way
Icy roads present an obvious danger to motorists during winter, but few think of the risks of defrosting. Leaving your car running and unattended to defrost could put you at risk to “Frost-jacking”- when a thief steals a car while it’s defrosting. To keep yourself and your vehicle safe, remember to:
- Never leave your car unattended with the engine on while it’s defrosting and never use hot water on glass.
- Make sure you keep an eye on the tyre pressure and tread depth because as the temperature drops, so does your pressure.
- If needed, switch to winter tyres to improve grip in the cold, icy or snowy weather.
Planes, trains and snowy delays
Winter can bring adverse weather and can throw travel plans into chaos, turning festive journeys into stressful ones. If you’re due to fly, always check the latest advice from your airline or airport.
If your flight is cancelled, speak to your tour operator or airline about your options for refunds or rebooking. Where your flight is delayed, or you have missed your flight due to bad weather, then you may be able to claim on your travel insurance. Check your policy for details, including limits on what you may be able to claim for.
Tis the ski-son to be jolly
If you prefer the slopes to the sofa at Christmas, make sure winter sports cover is on your packing list. Without the right travel insurance policy, skiers or indeed snowboarders could be on a slippery slope to a major financial headache.
Regular travel insurance rarely covers you for winter sports, so ensure you have added cover to avoid an exorbitant hospital bill should an accident happen.
As always, it’s essential to inform your insurer about any pre-existing medical conditions so they can provide you with the right amount of cover for your needs. Failing to do so could lead to issues at the point of claim. If you are unsure what to declare, speak to your insurer directly.