Almost all home insurance policies provide cover against the costs of storm and flood damage. As an absolute minimum you should have buildings insurance which protects you against the costs of repairing, or in the worst case scenario, rebuilding your home.
You would be wise to take out contents insurance as well if you want to insure the things within your home as well as the actual building. 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. If you hear of a weather warning and you are concerned about flooding, then you should move any precious items, rugs, carpets and furniture upstairs if possible.
Protect your important documents such as your insurance documents by placing them in a watertight container. Some things may be too large or too heavy to move, like your washing machine, but if possible you should raise these up onto bricks to try to keep them away from the water. Be prepared for the potential after effects by looking out your first aid kit, a battery operated radio, bottles of water and non-perishable food, and keep your pets inside.
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 a good home insurance policy include the cleaning, repair or replacement of damaged items, including the physical structure of your home. It is worth thinking about where you would like if your house was made uninhabitable and think about cover for the cost of alternative accommodation.
Make sure you do not underestimate the value of your belongings or property, and remember to keep an inventory with receipts so that you can prove your losses if the worst should happen.
