Storm And Flood Damage, Your Home Insurance

By Author: Foster Carr
Total Articles: 30
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Most home insurance policies will cover you against the cost of flood and storm damage. You should always have buildings insurance which covers you against the costs of repairing, or in the worst case, rebuilding your home, but you would be sensible to take out contents insurance as well if you wish to protect the possessions in your home.

Although you may have home and contents insurance, flood or storm damage can be very messy, time consuming and expensive to repair, and although you can buy new things, items with sentimental value will not be replaceable. To avoid damage to your property from storms and floods, keep your house properly maintained. Prevent leaks by checking your roof and replacing any missing or damaged tiles. Gutters should be cleared of debris such as dead leaves. Cut back overhanging or dead branches which could fall down in high winds.

Back up your computer regularly, because lightning strikes can cause electricity surges that may damage your computer and other electrical appliances. Leaks and floods can also damage your hard drive and electrical equipment. Even if you replace the computer, ...
... important files like family photographs will be lost. In a thunderstorm, unplug electrical appliances, telephones and computers.

Pay attention to weather warning and if you hear a storm or flood is likely, move any valuable belongings upstairs if possible, and protect your important documents including your insurance documents by putting them into a watertight container. Some items may be too big or too heavy to move, like your fridge, but do if possible raise these up off the floor, perhaps with bricks.

Prepare for the possible after effects of a flood or storm by getting out your first aid kit. Other useful items include a battery operated radio, bottles of water and non-perishable food. Make sure you keep your pets in the house while the warning is in place.

If you are unlucky enough to suffer serious flood or storm damage, your home insurance policy may cover the cost of alternative accommodation, but cheaper policies are unlikely to include this. Think carefully about your needs when you take out the policy, as very cheap insurance is unlikely to give you all the financial protection you may need.

Contact your insurance company as soon as possible if your home or possessions are damaged by storm or flood, and do not throw away damaged items because the insurance company may be able to repair them and may not pay out to replace them. If it is very inconvenient or dangerous to keep damaged items, then take photographs as evidence before disposing of them.

Things to look for in your home insurance policy include the cleaning, repair or replacement of damaged items, including the physical structure of your house and accommodation if your house is made uninhabitable. Be careful not to underinsure your belongings and remember to keep an inventory with receipts so that you can prove your losses if the worst should happen.
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