Protecting Property Storm Damage
In light of Ireland's recent bout of bad weather and in the wake of Hurricane Ophelia and Storm Brian, it has never been a better time to make sure your home has the right insurance cover in the event it is damaged by a storm. In order to safeguard the value of your property and make sure you're not out of pocket following similar weather situations in the future, it is very important to protect your home with the right cover for storm damage. Don't leave it until the last minute, let's face it, in Ireland bad weather is always just around the corner!
Here are a few tips to help keep the damage in your garden to a minimum this winter;
Trim your garden trees and remove loose branches that could break off and cause damage Keep all garden furniture in your shed during the winter months or tied down securely to prevent it from blowing away or damaging other parts of your garden Cover or wrap larger plants with strong fabric to help them withstand strong winds Clean out your gutters and outside drains to avoid your garden flooding
One of the biggest causes of property damage during ex hurricane Ophelia was damage caused by fallen or uprooted trees or their loose branches. It's a good idea to assess your property to see if there are trees that could be a potential hazard if hit by storm winds.
Signs of unhealthy or already damaged trees include:
Hollowing inside the tree Broken or severed roots Cracks in the trunk of the tree Dead branches Insect infestations
If these signs are present it might be worthwhile considering cutting down the tree to prevent damage to your property.Making sure you have your buildings insured for the correct amount. What is the rebuilding cost? Making sure you have your contents insured correctly. Do you need cover for accidental damage? Ensuring you have valuations for expensive items of jewelry (engagement rings etc). Check that your smoke alarm is working (this could get you a discount on your policy). Make sure your burglar alarm is working (this could also get you a discount on your policy). Do you need to cover any items outside of the home? (laptops/iPads/cameras etc) What are the policy exclusions? Is flood/subsidence cover excluded? If you are unsure about what cover you need on your policy, just give one of our advisers a call today and they can talk you through the right policy to fit your needs.
Protecting your Garden
Your garden can be the worst affected part of your home when bad weather hits.Here are a few tips to help keep the damage in your garden to a minimum this winter;
Watch out for Trees Near your Home

Signs of unhealthy or already damaged trees include:
If these signs are present it might be worthwhile considering cutting down the tree to prevent damage to your property.