With the future of flood insurance more secure, Confused.com reminds people of the importance of home cover

Publication Date: Tuesday, September 09, 2008

Insurers have vowed to continue the availability of affordable flood cover, creating relief for millions of UK households in flood-risk areas. However, the pledge can only go ahead, says the Association of British Insurers, if the government sustains increased investment in flood defences.

In the aftermath of the 2007 floods, which saw claims of £3bn, the ABI threatened to discontinue flood cover for all, which would have left millions of at-risk households without adequate home insurance. But in a joint ABI and Government statement concerning flooding and insurance, the ABI has pledged to continue to offer flood cover to moderate and considerable risk homes.

The statement also acknowledges the government’s responsibility to upgrade defences within five years, raise public awareness of flood risks and promote home insurance in a bid to ease the costs in the aftermath of flooding,

Confused.com is warning people without insurance living in at-risk areas of the need to get adequate home insurance to protect themselves against the possible huge expenses of flood damage. Those with insufficient cover should re-address their policies to safeguard against the expenses of flood damage should future flooding occur. And when you arrange cover, don’t forget to read the ‘What not to forget when applying for home insurance’ article. (link to archive article ‘What not to forget when applying for home insurance’)

The ABI claim that one in four houses are uninsured, and for those living in a flood risk area without insurance or insufficient cover, the consequences of extreme weather could be severe. In the aftermath of flooding, insurance providers are the first port of call in the repair process, and will outline what actions to follow to ensure the quickest repair and re-occupation of your property. Those without insurance run the risk of paying the harsh repair bills on their own should the unpredictable strike.

Environment Minister Phil Woolas voiced scientist’s views on the topic, stating that such extreme conditions “are going to increase in the decades to come”. This beckons the question, “can you afford the high risk of having insufficient cover or no home insurance at all?”

FLOODING: WHAT TO DO

If the rain’s here to stay and a flood’s on the way:

Make sure you have a copy of your home insurer's policy details and telephone number – keep it in a secure, dry place
Listen to your local radio station for regular updates on the flooding situation
Place sandbags outside doors, windows and airbricks
Switch off the mains supplies of gas, water, and electricity
Move as many valuables as you can from downstairs to upstairs
Your personal safety is of upmost importance – if local authorities instruct you to leave your property do so
Make sure you have adequate car insurance – a good part of the 2007 £3bn repair bill was for car claims

If your home has already been flooded:

Ensure a qualified engineer checks the mains supplies of water, electricity and gas before reconnecting
Report damage to your insurer as soon as possible, they can then advise you on what to do next
Take photographs of your property to act as evidence of the damage - it may help your insurer to settle a claim
Try to rescue and dry any manuals and receipts detailing the product numbers of your valuables – this will help to ensure you get a fair claim
Keep ruined property as insurers may need to inspect it

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