Severe Weather Warning

Ahead of severe weather conditions expected this weekend, the British Insurance Brokers’ Association has urged all consumers and businesses to check their insurance policies. They have also provided advice for consumers and businesses to ensure they have suitable protection.

Too many people have no home contents insurance. Without suitable cover, natural events can result in massive costs to repair your home, leave you living out of a suitcase for months, and shut down local businesses.

Commenting on the weather warnings, Graeme Trudgill, BIBA Technical Services Manager commented: “23% of households do not have any home contents insurance and BIBA would urge all homeowners and businesses to check they have adequate cover before it is too late.

“It is also essential that businesses check they have a full business continuity plan in place. Our research shows that nearly half of all business have no plans to deal with the impact of flooding*.

“Already this year we have seen thousands of families and businesses affected by severe flooding, and it is essential that consumers and businesses take every step to ensure that if they are caught in the deluge, they have sufficient protection and support.”

Here are BIBA's Top Tips:

Ensure that you have adequate cover – contact a broker (www.biba.org.uk)

Check that your cover is still current

Check that you know who to call if disaster strikes - most brokers and insurers have a help line.

Keep property maintenance up to date, ensuring it is maintained to a good standard at all times. If not, your claim may be prejudiced. E.g Flat roofs require regular maintenance as do gutters and drains.

Check that you have the correct Sums Insured for your building and contents, otherwise your claim payout could be reduced.

Ensure that all pets and valuables from the garden are kept indoors.

Check that you are getting a competitive excess and that you can afford to pay it if something does happen.

If you believe your property is at high risk from flooding:

Contact your insurance broker as soon as possible as they can often offer helpful advice in this situation to help you to reduce the possibility of the damage getting any worse moving as much as possible upstairs as soon as you hear the flood alert electricity and gas should be switched off and mains drinking water should not be consumed as it may have become contaminated – wait until the green light is given before using any of these utilities pulling furniture away from walls to prevent further damage make sure you keep a copy of important telephone numbers and policy documents in a safe and easy to find place

Call the 24 hour Environment Agency floodline on 0845 988 1188 for information on flooding in your area

Consider fitting specialist physical defences such as air brick covers and window defences, in addition to sand bags.