NFU Mutual reports widespread damage from flash floods

Rural insurer NFU Mutual is dealing with hundreds of claims resulting from this week’s flash floods.

“We’re helping a number of people whose homes and businesses have suffered very serious damage from torrents running off the hills and through their homes," said Laura Wood from NFU Mutual

“In addition there are a significant number of less serious claims where rising flood water has inundated properties to a depth of several inches.

“While it’s not unusual to get isolated flash floods in the summer, it’s unprecedented to experience so many serious flooding incidents at the same time. It’s not possible to say which are the worst affected areas – but it is clear that Yorkshire, Devon, parts of South Wales, Gloucestershire, the North Midlands, and Lincolnshire have all been badly affected.

“At times of flooding our local network of agents really comes into its own. Local staff are able to visit policyholders who have suffered severe damage, give advice on the spot, make arrangements for damage inspections, and in some cases settle claims immediately."

NFU Mutual advises policyholders who have suffered damage to get emergency repairs carried out straight away, and to contact their local NFU Mutual office or its helpline for advice - and to get their insurance claims underway.

Top Tips on Flooding

Remember that personal safety is your prime concern. Don’t go into rooms with standing water if the power is still on, and don’t use electrical appliances affected by, or in contact with, moisture.

Your electrical system needs to be checked and safety confirmed before turning back on.

If the carpets in your home have been completely submerged by water they will be ruined. The best course of action is to remove them along with the underlay, and put them outside in case a valuation inspection is necessary. Similarly, sofas and other soft furnishings that have been submerged in the flood water will most likely be write-offs. Move them to the garden for later inspection too.

If you suspect the flood water to be contaminated (by sewage, for example) discard the affected items immediately. Photographs of damaged items will help with the claim. Other floor coverings should be removed to reveal bare floor boards or concrete – there is a danger of dry rot setting in if moisture is trapped beneath.

Kitchen units are likely to have absorbed water, but may be salvageable. Try to dry them out, and wait for an adjuster to assess the damage.

When you’ve salvaged as much furniture as possible, start the drying out process by removing a couple of floorboards at each end of affected ground-floor rooms. Aid this ventilation by opening windows and turning the heating on low. You may want to borrow or hire a dehumidifier – remember to close the windows if you use one.

Help plaster to dry by removing wall coverings and skirting boards.