Many of us will be dreaming of a white Christmas and while a winter wonderland may look nice, snow has caused havoc in recent years - and cost us a packet.
However, with a little forward planning, there are ways to ensure we are protected against snow-related problems and large bills in the new year.
Christmas on the beach?
For those of us lucky enough to be jetting off to warmer climes this Christmas, snow is probably the last thing on our minds. However, last year alone saw hundreds of flights grounded across the UK when heavy snowfall covered much of the country.
It is therefore vital to purchase travel insurance before you jet off. Make sure you are aware of exactly what you are covered for - the cheapest policy may not necessarily be the best and you could end up forking out far more if you are not covered for events out of your control.
The Association of British Insurers says that most policies will cover flights delayed due to adverse weather, normally starting after a delay of between 6-12 hours.
However if the flight is cancelled, this is the responsibility of the airline so you should try to claim compensation this way.
Many policies will also cover a missed flight due to snow-related delays on the journey to the airport, protecting you if your car gets stuck on an impassible road or if your train is cancelled.
However, the insurance company would want to ensure you had left sufficient time to get to the airport given the bad weather conditions.
Costs incurred if you get stranded abroad, for example an extra night in a hotel or meals during a delay may also be included in your policy, but if in any doubt contact your insurer before you leave to check you are covered for any eventuality.
If you've booked a holiday but haven't yet bought your travel insurance, it's worth buying it now for the peace of mind. Use our comparison tool to find the right level of cover at the best price.
Protect your home
Aviva Insurance saw a 500% rise in claims arising from frozen pipes in the bitter winter of 2009. Most policies offer cover for damage caused by escape of water as standard under both buildings and contents insurance.
However, if you're taking advantage of the holiday period and getting away, you may not be protected if you are leaving the property empty for 30 days continuously.
Check your policy as it may be worth extending it if you're planning on taking a trip of this length. Asking a neighbour to check on the property and setting the heating to come on for a couple of hours a day could also help minimise potential problems.
If your property is damaged by heavy snowfall, it is likely you will be protected under the 'storm' provision of the policy.
Pressure on the roof caused by the weight of the snow can cause structural damage but it is well worth giving your property the once over before the cold weather sets in.
If the problem was found to be existing prior to the bad weather that had only came to light because of the snow, you would be unlikely to be covered.
The most important thing is not to panic if your home is damaged due to snow. Most companies have a 24 hour helpline offering practical help and advice so make sure you have your insurer's details close to hand.
It may also be worth considering home emergency cover. For more details on this read our article 'Is boiler cover worth it'.
If your home insurance is coming up for renewal, it's worth comparing prices rather than automatically renewing with your existing provider - it could save you an average of £125.
Protect your presents
Christmas is a prime time for thieves as shoppers stock up on expensive gifts for family and friends.
Although a number of insurers apply an automatic uplift to home contents over Christmas at no extra cost, it is worth checking the small print as insurers will all differ on how much cover they offer.
In addition to this, there are things you can do to help protect your home from thieves. Make sure all gifts are kept away from windows and out of sight and lock away expensive presents if possible.
If you're likely to be away for a few days over the festive period, put a timer on your lights to give the impression that you are in and check the state of your locks before you leave.
Remember to cancel newspaper and milk deliveries and to ask someone you trust to come in to open and close curtains and collect any mail.
Car Insurance
The most sensible advice for drivers in snow and icy weather is simple - don't drive. However, there are some circumstances in which driving can't be avoided.
It is therefore important to check whether your car insurance policy would cover you were you to be involved in an accident.
Comprehensive policies will cover you financially for any accident that occurs due to bad weather for example cars sliding into each other and collisions.
However, because of the nature of ice and snow, it may be difficult to prove whose fault it was so be prepared to have to claim off your own policy.
Basic third party fire and theft policies will not cover you for accidents in the snow, so again you may need to consider changing your policy.
Be aware that if your car won't start because of adverse weather you are unlikely to get help unless you have breakdown cover, again read the small print so you know exactly what to expect and to ensure you are fully prepared.
You may need to add this on, or get breakdown cover separately. It needn't be expensive tough - compare prices on our breakdown cover channel.
Car 'frosting' is another danger which people can fall foul to in cold weather. Many of us on a freezing morning will turn the engine of our cars on then go inside to get an ice scraper offering a perfect opportunity for waiting thieves to jump in the car and drive off.
This theft will not be covered in your policy as it will be seen as negligent behavior.
School 'snow' days
Thousands of parents live in dread of school closures on snowy days which can result in lost earnings and mayhem as they try to organise childcare at short notice.
On seeing the havoc school closures caused earlier this year, an insurance company took the initiative of offering a policy to protect against this.
At the cost of £30 a year per child, Towergate Insurance insures parents when the school has been closed for more than one day due to snow, flooding or boiler failure.
The policy pays out £100 a day; however it is capped at £500. For parents who aren't lucky enough to be able to rely on family or friends for emergency childcare, this could offer the perfect solution and ease the worry of school snow days.
Please note: Any rates or deals mentioned in this article were available at the time of writing.
Rate This Article
Click on a star to rate this article.
