Hibernian General Insurance Ireland’s largest composite insurer providing cover for all aspects of home, motor, farm and commercial insurance, announces today Tuesday 22 August, a number of simple tips for homeowners to help avoid the trauma of winter house problems.
Hibernian General Insurance Ireland’s largest composite insurer providing cover for all aspects of home, motor, farm and commercial insurance, announces today Tuesday 22 August, a number of simple tips for homeowners to help avoid the trauma of winter house problems. Hibernian has produced a guide for customers to preventing flood damage called Home & Dry which is available on its website www.hibernian.ie.
Pat Kenny, Hibernian General Insurance, home and travel product manager, said: “With winter approaching and energy costs rising there are a number of simple steps that Homeowners can take to protect their homes and save money. We encourage our customers and all home-owners to make these simple checks and repairs in the coming weeks.”
Hibernian’s Winter weather tips include:
- Trim trees, hedges and shrubbery and remove dead branches. Wind will damage weak trees, which can damage your home or cause injury. Reducing the height of trees and bushes also means that there are less hiding places for burglars
- Know where your service valves and switches are located
- Insulate all pipes and tanks and ensure that your attic and crawlspaces are lagged
- Check all water pipes for drips and hoses on washing machines and dishwashers for cracks
- If you intend lighting your fire make sure that your chimney is cleaned and checked by a chimney sweep
- Tune up your central heating boiler
- Repair loose roof tiles and ensure the whole roof is watertight
- Repair crumbling brickwork promptly to ensure water cannot get in and freeze
- Clean and flush out all gutters and drainpipes
- Check windows and door frames and repair or repaint where necessary
- Check your smoke alarms
- Prepare a list of local services that can help you in an emergency (plumbers, electricians etc).
If you go away:
- Leave your heating at the minimum setting
- Ask a friend or relative to visit your home every day when you are not there
- Don’t advertise the fact - have your mail held by the Post Office (a free service to all Hibernian customers).
-ends-
Press contact:
Marie Therese Culligan, 01 617 8164, 087 2367008, marietherese.culligan@hibernian.ie
Notes to editors:
Hibernian is Ireland’s largest composite insurer, ranked first for general insurance and top three for life and pensions. It is backed by the strength of Aviva plc its parent company and the world’s sixth largest insurance group with life assurance operations in over 50 countries worldwide and funds under management of over €300 billion.
Hibernian Life & Pensions reported 17% growth in Life new business APE in 2005. It employs over 800 people in Ireland. Its activities include pensions and life assurance, managing investments, general insurance and personal financial services. Hibernian Life and Pensions aim is to provide an efficient and professional service through a range of channels such as independent financial advisers, tied agents, financial institution partners, Hibernian branches and our website www.hibernian.ie.
Hibernian news releases are also available on www.hibernian.ie