Insurer offers advice to householders affected by flooding

Householders can take steps before a storm and after a flood to make a nightmare situation more bearable. Leading UK insurer Cornhill Direct offers the following advice to property owners:

Be prepared:

Have sandbags ready to block doors;

Prepare a ‘flood pack’ to include a torch, first aid kit, warm clothes, blankets and water;

if safe to do so, move property from lower floors to higher levels. Be prepared to turn off essential supplies - gas, electricity and water - at the mains;

listen to local radio and Environment Agency Floodline bulletins (0845 988 1188) for up-to-date information on the flooding situation in your area;

Make sure you have your insurance documents and contact details in a safe dry place.

After a flood:

listen to the advice of the authorities and follow any instructions they give to leave a property;

contact your insurer as soon as possible after a property has been damaged. Claims staff will be able to advise on what to do next.

If advised to leave your property by the authorities, listen to their advice and follow any instructions they give. Leave your property as secure as possible.

According to figures from the Association of British Insurers (ABI) the floods which affected large parts of the country in June and July led to around 130,000 claims and cost the insurance industry in excess of £3bn.

The industry will be conducting an in-depth review of this summer’s floods. This will form part of the forthcoming review of the ABI Statement of Principles on the Provision of Flood Insurance.

Cornhill Direct spokesman, Mark Bishop, said: “The continued widespread availability of flood insurance depends on sustained government investment to bring flood defences up to an adequate standard.

“Householders should follow our advice which will help to minimise the damage of a flood and help those affected to recover as soon as possible.”