Context
The ABI is reassuring people that insurers are on hand to support customers if they suffer flood damage.
Key points to note and next actions
Signing up to flood alerts can help you prepare if flooding is expected. If you get a warning, you should:
- Put a flood kit together that contains items such as your mobile phone and chargers, contact telephone numbers, any current medication, torch, battery, radio, insurance policy details, rubber gloves, wet wipes, hand cleaning gel, first aid kit and bottled water.
- Move valuable, sentimental or essential items upstairs or to a high place and, if it is safe to do so, consider moving your car to an area less likely to flood.
- Keep your pets safe and away from any flooding.
- Fit any property level resilience measures where possible such as flood gates or air brick covers.
If your property suffers any damage because of flooding you should:
- Contact your insurer as soon as possible. Most will have 24-hour emergency helplines.
- If necessary, arrange temporary emergency repairs to stop any damage getting worse, but speak to your insurer first. Keep any receipts, as these will form part of your claim.
- If your home is uninhabitable while repairs are being carried out, any alternative temporary accommodation can be arranged in line with your policy.
- If your home is flooded, ask your insurer if you are eligible for Build Back Better which can help to make your home more resilient to future flooding.
- Commercial polices will cover damage to premises and stock in line with your policy. Business interruption cover (which may be included or purchased separately) will cover additional trading costs, such as hiring temporary alternative trading premises if necessary.