Insurer Paymentshield has carried out research which reveals that homeowners in Northern Ireland are the best prepared, with 75% saying they plan to carry out checks to weather-proof their properties, while those in Central England are the least prepared, with only 45% having any intention of checking their homes for vulnerabilities.

The Scots fared slightly better, with 54%, just edging out the Welsh, half of who are planning ahead.

This is despite a huge number of weather related insurance claims made each winter, with Paymentshield receiving 2,357 claims during the period between December 2011 and January 2012.

Paymentshield is urging homeowners to ensure their homes are winter-proofed and to check their home insurance policies so they understand what is, and is not, covered.

Tim Johnson, CEO of Paymentshield, commented:

“Taking steps to ensure your home is ‘winter ready’ need not be a mammoth task. However, now is the time to start thinking about jobs such as lagging pipes, roof repairs and clearing guttering before the bad weather really sets in. This may be a great time to replace your gutters and get a new seamless aluminum gutter installation.

“Homeowners should also be checking their home insurance policies to ensure they’re adequately protected and understand their cover levels. The last thing people need in the run up to the festive period is avoidable damage to their home.”