Flood warnings continue impacting homeowners across country

Yellow weather warnings remain in place today after floods washed through homes and businesses last week. The new warnings come after parts of Derbyshire and South Yorkshire experienced a month’s worth of rain fall in one day last week.

The Environment Agency have over 100 flood alerts in place.

Check if your home is at risk of flooding

• UK winters are getting wetter, with flash flooding events becoming more likely every year. Five out of six wettest UK winters on record have occurred since the year 2000.
• So it’s worth checking if your home is at risk. You can do this instantly and free using your postcode on the government webpage Flood warnings for England.

• If you are at risk, then sign up for flood alerts by phone, email or text message if your home or business is at risk of flooding. The service is free.
• If your area is on high alert, get your sandbags and other temporary flood precautions in place. Move valuables, including important documents, upstairs, and if you can, turn off your water, electricity and gas supplies. Also turn off appliances that use water, such as your dishwasher and washing machine. Be prepared to evacuate immediately if you’re asked to – including your pets. Don’t risk leaving too late and becoming trapped upstairs with no means of escape, and only return when you’re told it’s safe to do so. Read more on the government site about what to do in a flood
• You can also read our guide on floodproofing your home

Does my insurance cover flooding?

If it’s a flash flood, then generally yes. But some insurers may be unwilling to cover you if you live in a location susceptible to flooding. Others will cover you, but may decide to set higher premiums on your home insurance payments.

This is partly due to the recently launched Flood Re scheme, into which all UK home insurers must pay so that there’s enough to cover those affected by floods. To be eligible for this scheme, your home must have been built before 2009 and be in council bands A to H.

If your home content or buildings insurance is up for renewal or you’re moving into a new home, the best thing to do is speak to an insurance broker  who can help you find the right level of cover for you.

The clean up after a flood

You’ll need to call your insurance company before you begin the clean-up operation, and they’ll advise on what to do next, including whether you’re able to make a claim.

Your insurance company should be able to provide you with a flood remediation expert who can assess your home.

Insurance policies vary in their levels of cover, with some covering the replacement of damaged items, while others may include help with the clean up process. Read your policy document carefully to check what you are entitled to.

Get a name for who will be handling your claim and ask how long you will have to wait for a visit from the loss adjuster to survey the damage to your home. This could be a while if there is extensive flooding in your local area.

Always keep a record of dates and times you contacted your insurer, as well as the person you spoke to and what was agreed.

Likewise document what happened to your belongings and keep any proof of damage caused until a loss adjuster visits.

If you don’t have insurance, contact your local council for details on hardship grants.

Finally, you’ll find official government advice on clearing up after a flood here.

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Angela Kerr Director, Editor

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