Halifax unveils home MOT checklist

Halifax Home Insurance has warned people to be prepared for a harsh winter, which the Met office believes will be the coldest in ten years.

It has already seen a huge 40 per cent increase since 2001 in weather related claims and Halifax is encouraging people to get cover and check their houses to avoid as much damage as possible.

Customers can get the insurer's home emergency cover for an extra three pounds a month, which protects the householder(s) for many emergency repairs, for example burst pipes or a leaking toilet.

If necessary this cover means an approved tradesperson will be sent to secure your property within hours.

Vicky Emmott, senior underwriting manager at Halifax Home Insurance, said: "Whilst it's the big weather events, such as the Carlisle floods and the tornado in Birmingham which make the headlines, frozen pipes, fallen trees and damaged roofs all torment UK households throughout the winter."

Halifax has also produced an MOT guide for people to check their homes and prepare for an emergency.

Ms Emmott said: "With home emergencies, prevention is certainly better than cure and many claims could be avoided if householders spent a small amount of time preparing their homes for the winter."