Biggest worries concerning their home during the winter months were power cuts, (26%) and heating breakdown (26%) followed by burst pipes (17%).
Yet 46% were either not confident or unsure whether their home insurance covered winter emergencies
Irish people are concerned about a number of possible crises in their homes caused by winter weather, yet almost half don’t know if these are covered by their insurance, a recent poll commissioned by RedClick and conducted by Ireland Thinks has revealed.
When asked about their biggest worry concerning their home during the winter months, respondents cited power cuts and heating breakdown, equally (26%), followed by burst pipes (17%).
These fears are grounded in real-world experience: when asked about home emergencies they have encountered in winter, a power cut lasting several hours or more was the most common response at a staggering 48%.
A fifth of the public (20%) reported never having had a winter home emergency, underscoring the high rate of issues experienced by the remaining 80%.
The Home Preparation Gap
Irish homeowners are taking proactive steps to prepare for winter with over half (53%) of respondents reporting that they service the boiler or heating system before winter, the most popular measure taken. Clearing gutters and drains is also reasonably common at 40%.
However, there is still room to boost protection further simple actions like insulating pipes, something already done by 27% of homeowners, this can make a big difference in preventing freezing and burst pipes, aiming to prevent any unexpected issues.
Worrying Uncertainty Over Insurance Coverage
The poll also highlighted significant public uncertainty regarding home insurance coverage for winter damage. While 44% of respondents stated they were confident that their home insurance would cover typical winter emergencies like blocked drains, roof damage, or burst pipes, a larger combined proportion (46%) were either not confident or unsure of their coverage.
Lorenzo Ioan, RedClick’s General Manager noted:
“Our research shows a clear gap between the risks Irish homeowners face during winter and their confidence in insurance coverage. With power cuts, heating failures, and burst pipes among the most common emergencies, it’s concerning that nearly half of people are unsure if they’re protected. Now is the time to check your policy and take preventive steps, because being prepared is the best protection against winter’s unpredictability.”
To help Irish people feel more confident in their homes this winter, RedClick has six simple tips to prepare for the worst:
- Service your heating system: Get your boiler or heating system professionally serviced to ensure it runs efficiently, saves energy, and reduces the risk of breakdowns.
- Improve insulation: Fully insulating your home can prevent major heat loss, but even small steps like lagging pipes and sealing draughts can protect against burst pipes and lower heating costs.
- Check fire safety: Test smoke and carbon monoxide alarms and have your chimney cleaned to reduce the risk of fires.
- Maintain your garden: Secure or store outdoor furniture and trim trees or branches to prevent storm damage.
- Boost home security: Darker evenings mean more burglaries; consider smart alarms, CCTV, and lighting for added protection.
- Review your home insurance: Check that your policy covers damage caused by burst pipes and reflects accurate rebuild costs to avoid underinsurance.
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