As heavy rain hits western England there are fears amongst families and business of a repeat of the devastating flooding of July 2007.
There are flood warnings in place and people in these areas are advised to take action to protect their homes and businesses against potential flooding.
The Environment Agency advises people to continually check the flood information section of their website which is updated every 15 minutes.
If you live in a flood-risk area, it’s vital you make sure your home is fully protected.
So, what can you do to make sure your home – and your finances – are protected against rising currents?
Take cover
If your home is located in a designated flood-risk area, then you should ensure you take out a good home insurance policy which will leave you fully covered should you be unlucky enough to find a river running through your living room.
It’s vital to take out both a building insurance policy and home contents cover. Buildings insurance covers damage sustained to the structure of your property, whereas home contents insurance covers your possessions.
Make sure you read your home insurer’s policy documents carefully and watch out for any exclusions. Read the terms and conditions for any additional benefits, such as an emergency payout to cover temporary accommodation and emergency supplies if your home has to be evacuated. Also, don’t forget to check the small print for any exclusions which could invalidate any claim and cost you more money.
What to do before a flood
- Before the bad weather hits, check what damage your policy will cover and whether or not you need to update your policy.
- Turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains supply.
- Disconnect cookers, washing machines, dishwashers and other appliances connected by rigid pipes to gas and water supplies. This will prevent damage to the pipes if the appliance floats or moves during the flooding.
- Unplug all electrical items and store them upstairs, high up or in a loft space.
- Use silicone sealant to make doors and windows more resistant. Put sealant around the door/window then close and lock until the flooding has passed.
- Reduce the amount of water entering your property. Use sandbags, plywood, metal or plastic sheeting placed on the outside of doors, windows and airbricks. You do not have to seal your property completely, but this will reduce the amount of floodwater entering your property. (After flooding, remove any covers over air-bricks as ventilation will aid the drying of your property).
- Floodwater can enter through drains. The easiest way of preventing this is by putting in plugs and weighing them down with sandbags. Washing machines and dishwashers’ outflows should be disconnected and blocked with a cloth/plug to prevent back-flow. Placing a sandbag in the toilet bowl will also prevent backflow.
- Floodwater can contaminate foodstuffs and chemicals such as paint, garden pesticides, household cleaning products and garage oils. Similarly these can spill or leak into the floodwaters causing additional clean-up problems. Keep these materials upstairs or high up in your garage/shed.
- Move furniture and electrical items upstairs and (if you have time) roll up rugs, carpets and curtains for suitable storage. (If you don’t have time, raise curtains by hanging them over the curtain poles.
- Remember: you cannot replace items of sentimental value, photographs or favourite toys. Keep them upstairs or somewhere high up on a permanent basis.
- Should furniture be too heavy to move, empty it and move its contents upstairs. Raise it on bricks to minimise damage and move it away from walls as this can assist in drying the property later.
What to do during a flood
- Avoid contact with floodwaters; they may be contaminated with sewage.
- Do not wade through high floodwaters; manhole covers may have lifted, leaving deep and dangerous unseen holes.
- Do as instructed by the emergency services – you may have to be evacuated. This will be done for your own good.
- Leave internal ground floor doors open (doors may swell and jam if left closed).
What to do after a flood
- Call your insurance company’s 24 hour emergency helpline as soon as possible. Your insurer will be able to provide information on dealing with your claim, and assistance in getting things back to normal.
- Keep a record of the flood damage (especially photographs or video footage) and retain correspondence with insurers after the flood.
- Commission immediate emergency pumping/repair work if necessary to protect your property from further damage. This can be undertaken without insurer approval (remember to get receipts). Disinfect and thoroughly clean floors and surfaces.
- Do not redecorate immediately. Seek advice and speak to a builder about using a dehumidifier. Your property may take some weeks to dry out.
- Get advice if detailed, lengthy repairs are needed. Your insurer or loss adjuster can give advice on reputable contractors / tradesmen. Beware of bogus tradesmen and always check references.
- If you have to move into alternative accommodation, check with your buildings insurer that the cost is covered in your buildings insurance policy.
- Make sure your insurance company knows where to contact you if you have to move out of your home.
- Do not turn on gas, electricity or water supplies until you have contacted your gas, electricity and water companies. Have your power supplies checked before you turn them back on to make sure they have dried out. Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use.
- Open doors and windows to ventilate the house but take care to ensure your house and valuables are secure.
- Don’t think it can’t happen again. Restock your emergency supplies.
Flood damage claim options
If you have suffered flood damage and are intending to claim on your insurance policy, there are some things you will need to think about.
You can make a claim directly to your insurer, who is obliged by our rules to handle your claim fairly. Individuals or companies who offer to notify your claim to the insurer or to negotiate it on your behalf) must be regulated by the FSA (click here to check).
Think about whether you need to hire a third party’s help. If you do decide you want to hire a third party, make sure you check how much it will cost you first. They may charge you a fee or they may charge a share of any sum paid out by the insurer.
If you are living on a flood plain or in an area prone to flooding, or have made a flood damage claim, you may be better off renewing your existing policy instead of seeking cover from a new insurer. This is because the Association of British Insurers (ABI) Statement of Principles guarantees that for areas of ‘significant’ flood risk, insurers will continue to offer flood cover to property, subject to certain conditions agreed with the Environment Agency and until 30 June 2013. ‘Significant’ is generally defined as no worse than a 1 in 75 year or 1.3% annual probability of flooding.
In the current economic climate, it’s tempting to cut back on your expenses, but bear in mind that if you live in an area that is likely to flood and you let your buildings insurance policy lapse, you may find it difficult to get cover when you do decide to reinstate it.
