There's Snow Business Like Insurance

With parts of the UK blanketed by snow, motorists, holidaymakers and homeowners may need to fall back on their insurance cover...

The UK's transport network ground to a halt today, thanks to the heaviest snowfall since 1991. An icy blast from Russia has left parts of the UK under six inches of snow. The outlook isn't much better, with icy conditions likely to persist for the rest of this week. This is shaping up to be the coldest winter since the cruel weather of 1962/63. You can check the latest forecast at the Met Office website.

Predictably, Britain's creaking transport system gave up and crawled back under the duvet.

Snows mean travel woes

If you're planning on undertaking anything other than a short local journey, then do take extra care and time with your journey. While main roads have been cleared by council gritters, minor and country roads could prove hazardous. Also, airports group BAA has warned passengers travelling to and from Heathrow and Stansted airports to expect significant delays and cancellations.

While a snowstorm of this kind would be shrugged off in Germany (I speak from experience, having spent several snowy winters there as a boy), there is potential for severe weather to cause problems for motorists, travellers and homeowners. So, here's some good advice from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) and Fool.co.uk:

Household (buildings) insurance

Snow damage to your property should be covered by the `storm' provision of the buildings element of your home insurance. In many cases, this cover will extend to sheds, greenhouses and outlying buildings. For information and advice, simply call the 24-hour emergency helpline number listed on your policy document.

For more tips on safeguarding your home, read A Fool's Guide To Storm-Proofing Your Home.

Motor insurance

If you have comprehensive motor insurance, then your car/vehicle will be covered against accidents caused by snow or ice. However, if your car breaks down or fails to start, then this is covered by your breakdown or roadside-assistance policy (which may be bundled into your motor insurance policy). For breakdown cover, I recommend Best Buy provider AutoAid, at just £37 a year.

Of course, if you are involved in an accident involving another motorist, then you could lose your no-claims discount if you were at fault. If you are involved in a prang, then be sure to record all details of both driver and car (including registration numbers and insurance documents) and the circumstances leading up to the crash. These will be vital if you intend to prove that the other driver was at fault or negligent.

For more advice on driving safely in harsh conditions, read Wintry Weather, Crashes And Car Insurance.

Travel insurance

Your travel insurance policy should cover losses incurred due to severe weather conditions. For example, delayed or cancelled flights at snowbound airports are usually covered. Usually, cover begins after you've been delayed for, say, eight to twelve hours. After this waiting period, the policy pays out a cash sum, typically £50 or so, for each subsequent eight- or twelve-hour delay, up to a maximum payout.

Some policies pay for missed flights if bad weather prevented you from reaching the airport. Alas, flight cancellations due to bad weather are unlikely to be covered, as travel insurance usually covers only cancellations caused by illness or redundancy. Nevertheless, cover does vary from one policy to another, so do check your policy documents or call your insurance company to find out what is and isn't covered.

That's it from me. My children's school is closed today, so I'm off to play in the snow with my son and daughter. Have fun -- and be safe!

More: Get quality quotes for all types of insurance | Ten Ways To Cut Your Car Insurance Costs | A Travel Insurance Trick