Posts filed under 'weather'
According to The Telegraph, burst pipes and other leaks cost the industry £644 million last year, and it’s expected that this winter could be worse. The importance of protecting your home has been highlighted even more during the past few weeks of freezing weather. So make sure you don’t have to make an insurance claim this winter by following these handy tips.
1. Heavy snow can cause branches to break and cause damage to your home, so it’s a good idea to prune the trees around your house.
2. Keep your gutters clear to avoid flooding and damage to your home.
3. To avoid frozen pipes and flooding always keep your heating on at a low temperature. And remember to keep it on if you go away over the festive season.
4. Make sure your pipes and water tanks are well insulated.
5. Know how to turn the water off, so you’re prepared in case your pipes do start leaking.
6. If you are planning to use your chimney this winter then check it’s in good working condition. The cost of a chimney sweep is fairly small and could prevent a chimney fire.
7. Make sure you have home insurance home insurance cover for extra peace of mind.
January 4th, 2011
The festival season is underway and as everyone knows the weather is always unpredictable, so when packing for a festival it’s always important to remember to pack your wellies.
This summer your wellington boots will not only keep you dry but will also charge your mobile phone. A new kind of wellies have been created and will be able to charge your phone as you dance, they have a power generating sole that coverts heat from your feet into electrical current. Mobile phone company, Orange will launch the eco-friendly wellies at the Glastonbury Festival in Somerset later this month. Charging a mobile phone is always difficult to do at festivals but this won’t have to be a worry anymore, and the new wellies will just give everyone a good excuse to dance more!
Click here to see swiftcover.com’s festival survival tips. 
June 18th, 2010
swiftcover.com and Absolute Radio are offering a fantastic opportunity to win tickets to the Isle of Wight Festival this summer!
Jay-Z, Paul McCartney, Pink, and Florence and the machine are just a few of the brilliant line-up of artists who will be playing. The festival will run from the 11th June to the 13th June and will be a great weekend for music lovers.
So if you would like to get a life this summer and join in the festivities then click here to enter http://www.absoluteradio.co.uk/music/live/competitions/
May 19th, 2010
The cold winter has lead to a national windscreen shortage according to Auto Windscreens. Many windscreens have been damaged from loose gravel and potholes which were caused by the freezing weather earlier this year, and this has resulted in a huge demand for windscreen replacements.
Cars which are most affected by the shortage include Vauxhall Zafira, Astra, or Vectra, Volkswagen Passat or Golf and Audi A4.
Auto Windscreens have increased their production by 40% to help with the crises. Sales and Marketing Director, Nigel Davies, said:
It’s unusual to have a national shortage of windscreens and we’ve certainly not come across it before. Auto Windscreens is in the fortunate and unique position, however, that we can simply add another shift at our factory and increase production on popular windscreen models to meet demand and manage the delays.
May 18th, 2010
The eruption of a volcano in Iceland has made headline news over the last few days, after it caused a massive cloud of ash to drift over Britain’s airspace. All flights from and to the UK have been delayed which has caused travel disruptions for thousands of people.
It is not yet known how long the disruptions will last, but the Met office has said that the ash could take a few days to clear. It has been advised that anyone travelling today should contact their airlines before heading to the airport.
Looking on the brighter side, I just read an article in The Mail Online which reported that the volcanic ash could result in some magnificent sunsets, so for the many people who aren’t travelling the volcanic cloud could just mean a beautiful evening.
April 16th, 2010
The freezing weather which we experienced at the start of the year has certainly taken its toll on the roads, with the number of potholes increasing by 60 per cent in the past two years. The AA reported that the amount of potholes has resulted in an increasing number of car insurance claims, and people have been left with flat tyres, damage to the wheels, steering and suspension problems.
I came across a useful website last week called fixmystreet.com where you can report potholes and other local issues; they will then forward your report to the local council, who will then look into the problem. There are a number of websites similar to this one which are useful for reporting damaged roads.
If your car has been damaged after hitting a pothole then you may be able to claim from the local highways authority. Here is a useful article about claiming for compensation: http://www.moneywise.co.uk/news-views/2010/02/09/claim-compensation-pothole-damage.
March 19th, 2010
With half term coming up many families will jet off to ski resorts for fun packed holidays, and with the excellent snow conditions it’s bound to be a popular activity for the mid term break.
The Telegraph reported that half a metre of fresh snow is expected to fall in many resorts, across France, Austria, Switzerland and almost a metre in some US resorts which will make room for great skiing.
If you are more of a thrill seeker looking for a winter sport other than skiing then you may like to have a go at ice karting, similar to go-karting but with studded tyres. Alternatively you could try snowboarding or how about snowlerblading? Click here to have a look at some more adventurous activities, but make sure your travel insurance is in order before setting off on your trip.
February 12th, 2010
Over the past few weeks the snow and freezing weather conditions has resulted in flight disruptions, which affected flight arrivals and caused delays to departures.
Flights from Gatwick, Southampton, Luton, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter airports and passengers at Cardiff, Heathrow, Manchester and Stansted were all affected. The daily mail reported that some passengers were told to leave terminal five without their luggage due to flight delays, and it had been recommended that passengers contact the airline before going to the airport.
If you are planning on travelling make sure you are prepared and have adequate travel insurance, you never know when you might need it. Click here for the latest travel news.
January 14th, 2010
Flooding has caused chaos on the roads as torrential rain has hit some parts of the UK, and the rainy weather is set to continue over the weekend.
The environmental agency has put 27 flood warnings in place, and severe gales may also accompany the rain.
With these warnings in place it is important not to drive unless essential, as driving conditions are treacherous and many roads are closed. However if you do decide to drive in these conditions then keep this advice in mind:
• Lower your speed
• Leave a longer gap between yourself and other traffic
• Watch out for any shiny patches as they could be puddles of water
• Be alert and ready to slow down if needed
If you are planning a journey this weekend remember these tips and ensure you have adequate car insurance cover. Click on the article link below for more advice on flooding and for information about road closures.
Article: Flood rescue: what you need to know
November 20th, 2009
