Homeowners urged to update policy ahead of floods

James Harrison, chief executive of Insurancewide.com, advises potential victims of flood damage to scrutinise and update their home insurance cover and issues tips for protecting homes against severe flood damage.

"If you're in danger of being affected by floods in the next few days, check now what kind of damage your buildings insurance and your home contents insurance policies will cover and whether or not you need to update them, particularly if you have new possessions and haven't increased your cover limit recently. Buildings insurance will cover the damage to the structure of your property and home contents insurance will cover your possessions.

Be clear as to whether you qualify for any additional benefits offered such as an emergency payout to cover temporary accommodation and emergency supplies if your home has to be evacuated. Check the small print for any exclusions which could invalidate any claim and cost your more money.

"If flooding does affect you, contact your insurer immediately and quote your policy number to register your claim and start the claim process rolling. If temporary repairs are necessary let you insurer know as they may wish to inspect the damage before permanent repairs are carried out. It's really important to keep a record of damage and keep a copy of correspondence with your insurer."

Before A Flood

a.. Turn off gas, electricity and water at the mains supply.

b.. 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).

Floodwaters 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.

a.. 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.

b.. Remember you cannot replace items of sentimental value, photographs or favourite toys. Keep them upstairs or somewhere high up on a permanent basis.

c.. 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.

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).

After a Flood

Call your insurance company's (24 hour) Emergency Helpline as soon as possible. They 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).

Get advice where 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.

a.. If you have to move into alternative accommodations 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 supplies.

For advice in the event of a flood you can visit the Environment Agency's website at environment-agency.gov.uk or call 0845 988 1188 for the national advice line; all calls are charged at a local rate.