moneysupermarket.com: implications of today's tidal surge

Commenting on the implications of today's tidal surge, Richard Mason, director of insurance at price comparison site moneysupermarket.com, said: “As the spectre of flooding hits Britain again, many households in eastern England could be facing the woe of a dampened Christmas.

“After the chaos of flooding seen this summer, many people will be devastated at the renewed risk, and insurance will again be at the forefront of people’s minds. For those who narrowly escaped the floods earlier this year, it became clear that without insurance cover they could be left footing bills for tens of thousands of pounds in the future. moneysupermarket.com saw a 300 per cent increase in home insurance applications in many affected areas immediately after the flooding.

“Homeowners whose properties are at risk must have good-quality home insurance. Doing so ensures they will continue to be covered regardless of what happens in the future. My advice is to have a policy with a well known insurer, such as Norwich Union or Halifax, that are less likely to withdraw cover if your situation deteriorates. People should check the details of what their buildings and contents policies cover as well as the limits and excesses on both.

“If you are unfortunate enough to have been affected by the tidal surge, you may need to claim on both your contents and buildings policy. Fixtures such as fireplaces and electric lights, which you may have thought would be covered under a buildings policy, will usually be classified as contents. Those still at risk from the surge should take expensive portable items upstairs or somewhere else dry. Your insurer will expect you to have minimised your claim in this way.”