Homeowners need to make sure that they have provision against weather-related events, it has been claimed.

Financial research specialists Defacto say that many home insurance policies fail to cover certain items and certain areas. Most do not have provision for objects left out in the open, such as garden sheds and other garden equipment.

And home insurance policy-holders should also make sure that their policies are updated and set at the right amounts.

"A lightning strike could set your property on fire, resulting in your home and all your possessions being destroyed," Mel Gray, senior researcher at Defaqto, commented.

"So it's essential that people check that the sums insured under their buildings and contents policies are adequate to cover such a catastrophic event."

Checking whether your home insurance policy covers you for events such as burst pipes might also be a good idea, Defaqto claims.

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