Cost of home maintenance key concern for over 60s

Cost of home maintenance key concern for over 60s putting their home insurance at risk 

New research from Age UK Enterprises* reveals that for a fifth (21%) of homeowners, aged 60 and over, the cost of maintenance is the biggest concern they have when thinking about looking after their home in later life. Having the physical ability to maintain their home was another key concern, with over a third (35%) indicating having significant worries about being able to carry out everyday jobs, such as mowing the lawn.

This is important, as insurers will not cover the cost of wear and tear or damage to homes that happens over time. For example, insurers may not pay out on repairs to a poorly maintained roof after a storm. Insurers expect homeowners to keep their home in good repair and take reasonable steps to avoid loss or damage.

These concerns mean that some maintenance jobs are being put off and, therefore, future claims due to poor maintenance may be at risk for those affected. Topping this list is checking home exteriors for corroded or damaged pointing, with over a third (35%) saying they wait until something needs to be fixed before taking action. This is closely followed by checking the roof (32%) for any missing or damaged tiles and checking windows (24%) for any damaged seals or fastenings.

Gordon Morris, Managing Director of Age UK Enterprises, said: 'As the weather improves, many of us think about turning to getting odd jobs done around the home. However, for a fifth of people aged 60 and over, checking what needs to be done and undertaking general maintenance can be a cause for both monetary and physical concern.

'Simple steps, such as frequently checking the exterior of the home, can go a long way to helping homeowners identify potential problems early on and ultimately help save money and prevent worry. There are also a range of potential sources of help with this and none of us should be worried about calling on this help.'

The Adapting your home section of the Age UK website contains useful information on home maintenance and advice on how to source further help, as well as links to finding tradespeople through TrustMark. This is the Government-backed quality scheme that signposts people to reputable local firms and expert tradespeople working to Government-endorsed standards. The Age UK Handyperson services are also available across 80% of the country and may be able to help depending on location; they can be accessed by calling Age UK Advice on 0800 169 65 65. Alternatively, the National Body for Home Improvement Agency and Handyperson Services may also be able to help www.foundations.uk.com.

Age UK Home Insurance, provided by Ageas Insurance Limited, is designed to meet the needs of those in later life, offer value for money and excellent customer service.

Ends

For further information, please contact Ellie Pocock on 0207 360 7877 or ageuk@teamspiritpr.com

Notes to editors

* Research commissioned from One Poll on behalf of Age UK Enterprises. Total sample size of 2,000 of the 60+ age group. Fieldwork was undertaken 30/01/2015 - 13/02/2015.

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well-being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Age UK Enterprises

To fund its charitable activities, Age UK needs a constant flow of independent income. It seeks to achieve this through a balance of traditional fund raising and trading activities.

The trading activities, through Age UK Enterprises, enable it to meet the needs of older people through products specifically designed to meet these needs; quality products such as general insurance and energy services. Age UK Enterprises is the commercial services arm of Age UK.

For more information about the products and services offered by Age UK Enterprises please visit Age UK Products.

Age UK Enterprises Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority for insurance mediation (311438). Age UK Enterprises Limited is registered in England and Wales No. 3156159, registered office: Tavis House, 1-6 Tavistock Square, London WC1H 9NA. VAT Number: 710 3843 66. Age UK Enterprises Limited is a wholly owned subsidiary of Age UK and donates its net profits to Age UK.

About Ageas

Age UK Home Insurance is provided by Ageas Insurance Limited which is authorised by the Prudential Regulatory Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulatory Authority.

Age UK Home Insurance

• Pay by interest-free monthly instalments at no extra cost (0% APR Representative)
• Choice of contents or buildings insurance cover or both
• Contents insurance cover for up to £60,000
• Buildings insurance cover for up to £500,000†
• A standard excess of just £45††
• Identity theft helpline
• ‘New for Old' cover
• No hidden admin fees

Buildings and contents insurance will cover you against the following:*

• Fire, explosion, lightning, earthquake
• Storm or flood
• Collisions or impact by any vehicle, trains, aircraft or animals
• Riot or malicious damage
• Escape of water or oil from fixed installations
• Theft or attempted theft
• Falling trees, branches, telegraph poles and lamp posts
• Subsidence, ground heave or landslip

† On standard construction properties

†† Exceptions include subsidence, for which there is typically a £1,000 excess, reducing to £100 subsidence excess for properties under ten years old; £245 for escaping water claims.

* Exclusions apply. For further details, read the Home Insurance policy booklet.