Businesses should prepare for heavy snow, says insurer
Aviva has warned businesses of the dangers of structural damage to premises due to significant weight loads from heavy and repeated snow events.
Alistair Smith, property risk manager at Aviva, said: “Last winter saw the coldest and most severe snow conditions in three decades, with no time for the repeated snow falls to melt.
"This meant a build up of layers created immense pressure on roofs and in some cases caused considerable damage to property and interruption to the day-to-day running of businesses."
“Insurance has a vital role to play in supporting recovery but forward planning can reduce the risk of some incidents occurring as well as the effect of such events on the day-to-day running of a business."
Arctic temperatures and snow has already caused major disruption, mainly in Scotland and the North East, with more snow forecast for many parts of the UK in the coming days.
Temperatures could fall as low as -20C later this week, forecasters have warned.
Smith added: “Before winter sets in, check roofs are in a state of good repair now before the more extreme weather hits. Then keep an eye on the weather forecasts and look out for visible signs that the roof may be under stress. A deflection of the roof or cracking, splitting or twisting in the joists, beams and girders could indicate a problem."
