NU Online News Service, Dec. 06, 3:58 p.m. EST

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) said freezing weatherin the United Kingdom could cost insurers $1 billion thiswinter.

Last year, Britain's insurance companies paid just over $1billion to homeowners following the coldest winter in 30 years, theABI said.

Damages from burst pipes and leaks could total $11 million perday this year, the association warned.

In the United States, winter storms cost insurers $770 millionlast year, which was actually the lowest total in eight years,according to the Insurance Information Institute.

Winter storms are the third-largest cause of catastrophe lossesin the U.S., accounting for 7.4 percent of all losses from1990-2009, according to the Insurance Services Office (ISO).Average losses per year are about $1.25 billion.

Freezing weather in the United Kingdom has already caused schoolclosures and travel disruption. There was some thawing out of thearea over the weekend, but more freezing weather is forecast,according to local news sources.

The Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) recommendskeeping the attic ventilated and slightly warmer than outside toprevent ice dams on roofs, which block water from draining.

IBHS also said to insulate water pipes, seal cracks in outsidewalls and foundations, and have the heating system serviced.