James Harrison, chief executive of Insurancewide.com, advises potential victims of flood damage to scrutinise and update their home insurance cover and issues tips for protecting homes against severe flood damage.
"If you're in danger of being affected by floods in the next few days, check now what kind of damage your buildings insurance and your home contents insurance policies will cover and whether or not you need to update them, particularly if you have new possessions and haven't increased your cover limit recently. Buildings insurance will cover the damage to the structure of your property and home contents insurance will cover your possessions.
Be clear as to whether you qualify for any additional benefits offered such as an emergency payout to cover temporary accommodation and emergency supplies if your home has to be evacuated. Check the small print for any exclusions which could invalidate any claim and cost your more money.
"If flooding does affect you, contact your insurer immediately and quote your policy number to register your claim and start the claim process rolling. If temporary repairs are necessary let you insurer know as they may wish to inspect the damage before permanent repairs are carried out. It's really important to keep a record of damage and keep a copy of correspondence with your insurer."
