Flood update from Direct Line

With flash floods once again hitting the country and Met Office warnings of further severe weather over the weekend, Direct Line is increasing the number of staff in its contact centres and has placed over 100 members of its emergency home response team on stand-by ready to assist people in the most affected areas.

Direct Line’s field force will be able to provide help and advice to customers in order to get the claims process quickly under way, as well as to authorise immediate repairs and emergency accommodation where necessary.

Andrew Lowe, Direct Line’s Head of Home Insurance, said: “As ever, our main priority following events such as these is to help people get back to normal as quickly as possible and with the least amount of inconvenience. Additional staff have been deployed to help manage the higher than average number of calls we’re anticipating and we will prioritise those where people's health and safety is at risk. However, we do ask customers to be patient with us as at times like these as it may take longer than usual to answer and deal with calls."

Customers can log on to directline.com for further information

Direct Line offers the following advice to householders if they have been affected by the flooding:

Direct Line customers: If your property is damaged, please contact our 24 hour emergency helpline on 0845 601 3004 as soon as possible.

If you need to move to alternative accommodation, the cost is normally covered under your insurance policy, but please check this when speaking to the claims team

Take photographs of the damage to your building and contents or film the footage; they may help with the settlement of your claim

Don't throw away possessions, they will need to be assessed

Do not use the electrical equipment or gas supply until it has been checked by a qualified tradesman

Wash taps and run them for a few minutes before use

Do not rush to redecorate your home as it can take weeks for a flood-damaged property to fully dry out

Do not lift wet carpets unless absolutely necessary as they may shrink