Households across Britain are being warned that popular energy-saving measures could unexpectedly invalidate their home insurance policies during the winter months.
Financial information company Defaqto has issued a stark alert that completely switching off heating systems or neglecting essential boiler maintenance might breach policy conditions, particularly regarding water damage coverage.
The Frozen Pipe Risk
Angela Pilley, a home insurance expert at Defaqto, explained the serious consequences of what might seem like harmless cost-cutting. "Persistently high winter fuel costs are forcing many people to make tough choices about their household budgets," she stated ahead of the Christmas period.
"But a short-term saving, like turning your heating off, can quickly become a costly mistake if pipes freeze then burst and cause serious water damage."
Ms Pilley revealed that some insurers have specifically tightened their terms around "escape of water" claims during colder weather. Some policies now require homeowners to maintain minimum heating levels, even when the property remains occupied or during brief absences of just a few days.
Boiler Service Requirements
Defaqto's comprehensive analysis of insurance products across the UK market in October uncovered significant requirements that policyholders might overlook:
- 82% of boiler and home emergency insurance policies require proof of regular boiler servicing, typically within 12 to 36 months or following manufacturer schedules
- Over a third (35%) of policies exclude coverage for boilers beyond certain age limits, often 10 or 15 years
- A small proportion of providers limit cover to boilers under nine years old
Policy Exclusion Periods
Ms Pilley also highlighted another crucial consideration for households seeking boiler cover this winter. "83% of products include an exclusion period at the start of the policy," she noted.
This means customers cannot make claims for issues that occur during the initial coverage period, leaving them vulnerable if problems arise shortly after taking out the policy.
The warning comes as many households continue to grapple with elevated energy costs while trying to balance their budgets during the coldest months of the year.
