18 November 2010

Householders Urged To Prevent Burst Pipe Misery This Winter

• 220% increase in home insurance claims involving burst pipes during January 2010
• Increase in number of claims of more than £100,000
• M&S Money urging householders to take steps to prevent similar claims this winter

M&S Money is urging householders to take steps to prevent burst pipes this winter to avoid a repeat of the damage caused when low temperatures hit much of the UK last year.

The exceptionally cold weather conditions during January 2010 saw a 220% increase in the number of M&S Home Insurance claims for burst pipes.

Householders who left their properties empty even for just a few days returned to find that frozen water had caused pipes and tanks to burst, resulting in thousands of pounds worth of damage. In some cases more than £100,000 worth of damage was caused throughout the house.

Example claims from winter 09/10:

• Customer A went on holiday for two weeks. On the 8th day sub zero temperatures cause a pipe in the loft to freeze causing a large escape of water, resulting in more than £180,000 worth of damage.
• Customer B went to Australia for two months and arranged for the property to be inspected every seven days. On the 28th day sub zero temperatures cause pipes to freeze, again in the loft, causing £120,000 worth of damage in less than 24 hours.

In both cases had the water been turned off at the mains and the water drained from the system, there would have been no damage.

M&S Home Insurance provides unlimited cover for damage caused when water escapes from the pipes or water tank as a result of frozen water. Customers are also covered for "trace and access" – finding the source of the leak which may involve the removal of bathroom tiles or fittings.

M&S Home Insurance customers have the option of adding home emergency cover to their policy*, giving them extra protection against home emergencies such as plumbing problems relating to leaking pipes or failure of the central heating system or boiler.

The most common type of home insurance emergency claim over the 2009 winter months was for water claims, including burst pipes**.

Andrew Ferguson, M&S Head of General Insurance, said: "Many householders may not realise the huge amount of damage and hassle that can be caused by burst pipes. Escape of water can cause thousands of pounds worth of damage by destroying ceilings, furniture and irreplaceable personal belongings.

Those planning to go away this winter can take simple precautions to guard against burst pipes. For example it's always worth asking a friend or neighbour to check your house once every few whilst you're away to make sure everything is in order."

As pipes are most likely to burst during cold weather spells and when homes are left empty, it's worth taking the following steps before you go away, to give yourself some extra peace of mind:

1. Keep your home's central heating at a minimum temperature of 12ºC (55f), if it's likely to drop below freezing whilst you're away.
2. Insulate pipes in your home's attic and crawl spaces, as these exposed pipes are the most likely to freeze. The more insulated they are, the better protected they'll be.
3. Look for small gaps around the areas where your television, cable or telephone lines come through your wall, and seal them up to stop any cold air getting through.
4. As kitchen and bathroom cabinets can keep warm air from reaching pipes under sinks and in adjacent outside walls, keep the cabinet doors open to allow warm air to circulate.
5. Lag your loft, cold water storage tank and water pipes.
6. Leave your loft hatch door open, as allowing warmer air to reach the loft can stop your water tank freezing.
7. If you're away for a long time over the winter, it may even be worth draining your system completely.

Marks & Spencer Home Insurance is available by telephone on 0800 068 2742 and
online at www.marksandspencer.com/homeinsurance

ENDS

Notes to Editors

* Home emergency cover underwritten by Partner Assistance SA. Home emergency cover can only be added at new business or renewal.
** 2009 figures based on claims made by M&S Home Insurance Policyholders with Home Emergency Cover. M&S Home Insurance policies are provided by AXA Insurance UK plc.

For further information please call the M&S Money press office:

Simon Coughlin on 020 7992 1574
simon.coughlin@mandsmoney.com

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010 the company's 25th anniversary.

The company is a top-ten credit card provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK.  M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world's largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as "the world's local bank".

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer. M&S Home Insurance policies are provided by AXA Insurance UK plc. Terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations apply. Calls may be monitored and recorded.