Halifax offers advice to help minimise weather damage
As heavy rain and galeforce winds battered much of the UK over the weekend, and with more bad weather to come, Halifax Home Insurance is offering advice to homeowners to help minimise damage to properties.
More strong winds and above average rainfall is expected this week, particularly in northern and western regions, leading to flooding in some areas. Senior Claims Manager Martyn Foulds says: "We are advising homeowners who are at risk to take steps now to reduce the risk of damage to their homes, and to monitor local news and weather regularly to keep updated on the conditions."
According to Halifax Home Insurance claims data, a typical home insurance claim for storm damage can be around £1,000, and flood damage can often exceed £20,000, so it is worth taking preventative steps to limit any risk to property. Customers of Halifax Home Insurance can call its 24 hour emergency helpline on 0845 602 7307 for advice.
If your home is at risk of flood
Place sandbags outside doors, airbricks and windows to reduce the amount of flood water entering your property
Turn off the mains supplies of water, gas and electricity
Unplug electrical items and store upstairs or as high as possible
Disconnect pipes to cookers, washing machines and dishwashers to avoid damage to the pipes if appliances move during floods
Move as much furniture as possible upstairs
Large items that cannot be moved upstairs should be weighed down with sandbags or heavy objects to ensure they don't float around and cause further damage to property during a severe flood
If furniture cannot be moved upstairs, empty contents of cupboards and drawers and store as high as possible
Move rugs and curtains upstairs, or hang them up over curtain rods out of the way of water.
Keep your home insurer's policy details and telephone number to hand in case you need to make a claim following a flood
Remember to move sentimental items such as photograph albums to a safe place as these cannot be replaced.
If your home has been flooded
Ensure mains supplies of water, electricity and gas have been checked by a qualified engineer before reconnecting
Dry out appliances that have been affected by flood water and ensure a qualified electrician or Gas
Safe registered engineer inspects them before use
Open doors and windows to ventilate and dry out the property. Ensure your home is completely dried out before attempting any redecorating work
Contact your insurer and report any damage caused to buildings and/or contents as soon as possible
Take photographs of damaged items as it may help your insurer to settle a claim
Keep any ruined property as insurers may want to inspect it.
If your home is at risk of storm damage
Secure any objects which could become hazardous such as garden furniture, barbecues and bicycles, and keep gates and outbuilding doors fastened securely
Cut back low hanging branches that could cause damage in high winds or storms
Clear the gutters and drain pipes of any leaves or debris that have built up in them to reduce the risk of blocks and overflows
Check external light fittings are secure.
In an emergency
Keep a home emergency kit prepared in case of a winter emergency such as a severe storm. This could include torches, spare bulbs and batteries, your home insurance documents, other emergency contact details, tinned food, warm clothing, blankets and a shovel
Listen to the radio for regular updates on the weather or other emergency situations
For just over £4 extra a month, Halifax's Home Emergency Cover guarantees the provision of an approved tradesperson to make your property safe, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Homeowners wanting to find out if they are at risk of flooding can call the Environment Agency Floodline on 0845 988 1188. For further advice on issues relating to the home visit halifaxhomematters.co.uk.