Continental general insurance company
Look After Your Holiday Home - below are a few of our recommendations....
• When you visit the property try to have a look at everything in the property that is essential, make sure that the drains are not blocked, has any rubbish accumulated in or around the property. Are the smoke detectors still working, test them and change the batteries if necessary.
• Make sure that all of the devices for securing the property such as door and window locks are still in good working order and make sure that you put them in to operation when you leave the property.
• Burst pipes in Uk Holiday Homes produce a large number of claims. When water freezes, it increases in size by up to 10%. This increase in size may split a pipe and damage occurs when the water starts to melt. It is essential that pipes are lagged and when you leave the premises for any length of time, drain down the water system and turn the water off at the mains.
• If you find any damage to the property such as a broken pane of glass make sure that you have it fixed.
• Make sure you have your gutters checked on a regular basis, you will often find during the winter months that there has been a build up of leaves.
• Keep the garden tidy and pay attention to any trees or shrubs that may need pruning....
If you are searching for a property in France, it would be wise to research the likely hood of flooding before you buy. If you are buying a property that has previously suffered from Flood damage, try to ascertain what remedial action if any has been taken, this may help you to secure insurance. Historically France is prone to flooding and the last 5 years have produced some very severe weather, with the government forced to declare several disaster areas. Without doubt the South of France is more likely to flood that then rest of the country. Forest Fires - in July 2003 a devastating forest fire swept through the South of France ( Le Var 83), as many as thirty fires were reported. Although arson was suspected, the exceptionally hot weather and strong winds helped to spread the fires quickly and in total approx 21000 hectares of forest was destroyed. Earthquakes - the Cote de Azur is considered to be situated within an earthquake zone although there has been nothing of consequence in recent years....- Climate of France...
Mediterranean - the warmest region is in the South, stretching across the entire coastline. This Mediterranean area is said to have a " Mediterranean Climate" This area is best suited for persons liking warmer weather but perhaps not as fiercely hot as that experienced in Spain. The winters are noticeably milder than in Britain and often during the winter months, it is possible to sit outside and eat your lunch.
Oceanic - the vast majority of France including its other coastlines, boarding the Atlantic Ocean and English Channel is said to be Oceanic in climate. This is similar to that experienced in Britain. In the summer months the sea will keep the land cool and in the winter it will warm it up. This is often referred to as a temperate climate, reasonably warm summers followed by mild damp winters, the difference between temperatures is not extreme and is more like Britain.
Continental - The extremes of temperature are usually associated with the Continental climate experienced throughout many parts of Europe and a feature of Eastern France where its borders join Germany & Switzerland. This more extreme climate caused by an absence of the sea and more pronounced in landlocked countries, produces hot summers & cold winters .
Mountain - the fourth and final region of France is classified as
