Sterling Insurance Company has issued a warning to its high net worth clients following forecaster predictions of a colder than average winter for 2010/11.
A key differential in Sterling’s claims ethos is to help educate clients on preventative measures that can minimise the impact of any incidents. With winter around the corner and summer a distant memory, Sterling is taking the opportunity to remind their high net worth client base of some sensible precautions through the release of their “Watch out for winter” leaflet.
“Winter is the highest season for claims’’ says David Sweeney, Director of Personal Lines at Sterling Insurance Group. “Our winters are becoming increasingly colder which leads to more burst pipe claims, and because we are seeing an increase in the number of en suite bathrooms, wet rooms and more water based appliances, we are also seeing an increase in the number of ‘escape of water’ claims. In 2009, according to Datamonitor, escape of water claims increased by over 20% costing the industry some £904m.”
Some of the key messages in Sterling’s winter message revolve around prevention of burst pipes. Clients are encouraged to insulate the loft, all water pipes and also the sides of water tanks. If leaving the home empty in the winter for any length of time clients are advised to leave the central heating on low and if practical leave the loft hatch open, to avoid the pipes freezing. Sterling’s bulletin also asks clients to locate their water mains stop tap and ensure that it can be accessed in an emergency.
Source : Sterling Insurance Company Press Release
