With Storm Claudia fast approaching, the Met Office has issued several amber and yellow weather warnings across the UK for the next 48 hours. In light of this, experts at Go.Compare Home Insurance are urging homeowners to ensure their properties are secure and properly maintained before the bad weather sets in.
Nathan Blackler, a home insurance expert at Go.Compare, commented, “With Storm Claudia on the way, homeowners should take practical steps to protect their property. Simple tasks, such as checking the roof, clearing gutters, and inspecting window and door seals, may seem small but can prevent serious damage during adverse weather. Additionally, ensuring your home is well-maintained will help ensure that your insurance cover remains valid.”
He continued, “Neglecting these jobs could result in costly repairs if your home suffers damage in the storm, and it could also lead to your insurance claim being rejected. Insurers expect homeowners to take responsibility for maintaining their properties.”
Nathan also stressed the importance of knowing your limits when it comes to DIY maintenance. “While tasks like bleeding radiators or testing smoke alarms are easy to do yourself, more substantial jobs, such as roof repairs or structural work, should always be carried out by a professional. Failing to do so could expose your home to further damage, and insurers may require proof that work was carried out by a qualified professional before agreeing to pay out on a claim. Taking care of small maintenance jobs yourself and leaving the larger tasks to the experts is the best way to avoid stress and unexpected costs.”
Neglecting home maintenance is more common than you might think, according to recent research from Go.Compare. The survey found that almost a quarter (23%) of Britons have never checked or repaired their roof, while more than half (51%) haven’t cleared their gutters in over a year.
Other findings revealed that just over a fifth (22%) of people have never checked or repaired the seals on their doors and windows, and nearly one in four (24%) have never insulated outdoor pipes or taps — all tasks that could help protect against draughts, leaks, and burst pipes.
Top 10 Neglected Home Maintenance Tasks
| Task | % of Britons Who Haven’t Done This in Over a Year |
|---|---|
| Checking/repairing the roof | 60% |
| Inspecting/repairing window and door seals | 58% |
| Insulating outdoor pipes and taps | 58% |
| Cleaning out guttering | 51% |
| Bleeding radiators | 48% |
| Checking/repairing outbuildings | 47% |
| Securing or putting away outdoor furniture | 37% |
| Getting the boiler serviced | 37% |
| Testing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors | 35% |
| Trimming back trees and shrubbery | 32% |
Homeowners are encouraged to tackle these simple maintenance jobs to ensure their homes remain safe and their insurance cover stays intact during extreme weather conditions.